(1927-2007)
My father Chiramukhathu Varkey Baby was born on Nov 12, 1927, to the Chiramukhathu family in Koipurm, Kerala. His father, Varkey having separated from the denominations around, cast in his lot with the Assemblies of the N. T. pattern. His mother came from the Parayil family in Kalliserry, she being the eldest of the five and the youngest the well-known Mammen Kurian.
His father was a farmer, and they had a little cottage beside a pond. Though poor yet it was an open home, welknown for hospitality. The Lord's servants who came to Koipurm often resided here and there was always fish freshly caught from the pond. As a young boy he would often peel the sugarcane and feed the Lord's servants and thus he endeared himself to them.
His cousin and best friend were Dr. Kunjappan John of Tiruvalla Medical Mission, who resided next door and their friendship lasted till the end. One day a visiting brother came and took the Sunday school and spoke from John 5:24 where he received the Lord Jesus as His Saviour. He was active in the things of God and was a role model for many young people. He attended the short-term Bible School in Kottayam conducted by Bro. V. T. Mathai.
His Stay in Bombay
He wanted to study further but because of financial constraints was forced to take employment and thus he came to Bombay as a young man. He had a small box and one shirt which was torn a little and on Sunday came to Fort Meeting Room. His cousin scolded him saying, ”Is this how you come to the meeting” and made the rend worse! He found employment in the Government Post Office (GPO). He was always active in the Assembly. He loved to see football matches. One day the final was on Sunday evening. Here came a conflict of interest, “Shall I go to the Gospel meeting or the football match”. His Adamic nature prevailed. In the midweek a brother met him who asked, “Where were you Sunday evening? We did not see you in the gospel meeting”. He was deeply embarrassed and when he went home cutting his finger, he wrote in blood that he will never again miss a meeting and go for a football match. He kept his resolution till the end.In 1954 he married Chinnamma Varghese of the Karimkuttical family in Mylapra. After staying in various places, they finally settled in P & T Qtrs., in Andheri. Theirs was an open home. Many relatives from Kerala coming for employment in Bombay stayed in their home and grew spiritually and my father often found jobs for them through his many contacts. Later on, many moved to the Gulf and U. S. A. where they have made a mark. They fondly remember them and hold them in high esteem for their sacrificial labour.
Harold MacGregor, a missionary from New Zealand, had a burden to develop a work for God in Bandra and my father identified with the work right from the beginning. An assembly was started, and he was one of the elders. Also, he was involved in Living Waters broadcast, and he handled the Malayalam messages. He was a good shepherd and after his work he would visit the saints and was often came home late in the night. The main burden of bringing the two children rested on his wife who did well along with her government job.
The Assembly at Bandra purchased a plot in Santa Cruz and permission could not be obtained to build an Assembly Hall unless there were residences above. No one was willing to purchase the flats, but it was my father's prodding that moved others to purchase and thus Bethel Christian Assembly in Santa Cruz came into being. He was there for the inauguration of the Assembly Hall but could not reside as the building was not yet completed and he had to go to U.S.A.
His Sojourn in America
Through the radio broadcasts the listeners asked many questions. He replied but felt he should study the Word more and so he went to U.S.A. to pursue Theological studies. He was around 40. There he was busier than ever. Till afternoon Bible studies and then he would go to work. At night do his studies often burning the midnight oil and sometimes staying awake till morning. This continued for ten years. He got his B. A. in Theology. Then his M. Div and finally his Doctorate.He worked in Sears company and in the break time he started a Bible study among the employees. Such was his dedication to the work, though he moved to two different places in pursuit of his studies, the same company gave him the job continuing the same pay scale. Moreover, the Lord used him to establish an Indian Assembly in Detroit and started the Ohio conference for Indian believers.
His Service in Agra
In 1979 he came back to India. He had a burden to reach the unreached places and North India was upon his heart, particularly the state of U. P. Hence, he visited many places and when he came to Agra, Bro. M. A. Jose who was serving here was planning to leave Agra as his dear wife passed away and was buried here. The Assembly was praying that God would send someone to continue the testimony and my father decided to settle in Agra. For 27 years he laboured for the Lord. He conducted Bible classes, preached in open-air, distributed tracts, held meetings in jail and even laboured in Dholpur in the most unpleasant circumstances. In the beginning there were believers from the Air Force, Army and students from various places studying in the famous St. John's college. Later on, the work was concentrated among the locals and today almost all the believers are locals.Bro. Baby was a visionary. He purchased a plot which was quiet affordable. He constructed a big building and over the years he has conducted conferences and furthered the Lord's work in North India particularly in U. P. Many teams have come and stayed here particularly the YMEF which resulted in evangelism in the surrounding villages. It has been an open home. Since Agra is a tourist place famous for Taj Mahal, many visitors have come and stayed. Agra has been a launching pad for many servants of God.
In the beginning there was opposition but over the years it has mellowed down though inwardly they are still resentful. But father's ministry was not confined to Agra alone; it extended far and wide all over India. In Alwar he had extended a hand along with others to start a Bible school; in Bengal he often taught in the Bible Institute. Once in Bengal he gave a powerful message on the Rich man and Lazarus which resulted in many conversions. He went many places in Andhra in the ministry of the Word.
The U. P. workers once a while would get together to have an outreach work in a new place where no Assembly testimony has been established. They would hire either a hotel or school, etc. and conduct a week of outreach work. While conducting an outreach in Ettawah (120 kms from Agra) in dead winter he took a cold-water bath as warm water was not available. His lungs were affected. Thus began his downward slide. When his daughter was not well in States, he along with my mother went to take care of her and in the process he fell ill and was in ventilator for few days but he recovered. Slowly the tent was coming down and finally it collapsed on Feb 19, 2007. He served his Master tirelessly and is now resting in His bosom . He reached the allotted span in Ps 90-fourscore years.
In Conclusion
As I review my father’s life, I find him FIRST of all as a Tireless Labourer. Beside working with his hands, he laboured in preaching and teaching – 1 Tim 5:17. He was a voracious reader and had a good library. He wrote three books, well-known being 'Basis Bible Doctrines' which in a concise form gives the major doctrines of the Bible. Many have expressed appreciation for this work. His famous tract. “If a man die shall be live again” has been translated into many languages.SECOND, he had a Generous hand. Money that was entrusted to him for distribution he faithfully discharged and the poor and needy ones he gave generously. As far as possible he preferred to go by foot rather than auto and always travelled in the ordinary class in the train. Only by compulsion he travelled in AC. He was frugal in spending for himself but sowed bountifully and reaped the same.
THIRDLY, he was a Wide Traveller. He criss-crossed U. S. A. and went all the way to Alaska near the Artic Ocean and to the Himalayas of Nepal and Sea Shores of India. He went from his seminary on a study tour in Israel and was involved in Archaeological digging.
FOURTHLY, he had a Soft Heart. He was emotional and his heart was moved at the sufferings of others. He was a peacemaker and was involved in the ministry of reconciliation. The Saviour's words are “Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called the children of God”. His race is over, and we will wait for the Judgment seat of Christ to hear the final verdict from the righteous Judge which alone matters. We appreciate prayers for the mother who has reached 80 and is still 'holding the fort'.
– Charlie John
It originally appeared in the Harvest Times magazine's September 2015 issue.
