K. G. Kurian: An Exemplary Life of Faith

(1916-1984)
Discover the inspiring life of K.G. Kurian, a pioneering Kerala Bible scholar and expository preacher who dedicated his life to teaching God's Word.

Early Childhood Days

Born in a Jacobite family, KGK did not grow up attending Sunday School classes and strictly going to worship meetings on Sundays. His exposure to the Bible was limited to occasionally glancing through some portions of the Bible without any seriousness and some stories he heard from fellow church folk. His mother would sometimes take him to revival meetings and try her best to inculcate a sense of spirituality in her son. His mother's efforts highly influenced him in his formative years and kindled a genuine interest in him toward spiritual matters and prayer meetings. It was she who helped lay a solid Christian foundation right in his childhood. When KGK was 11 years old he lost his mother but his interest in spiritual matters lived on.

Assurance of Salvation & Commitment for the Lord's work

KGK's diligence in attending meetings led to a time when the preacher asked him to pray in public which he had never done before. He didn't even know the words to begin or end a prayer appropriately! But, over time, these fellowships became an anchor for KGK as he slowly discovered the great truth in the Gospel of Lord Jesus Christ. Sometime later, KGK learnt about Sadhu Sunder Singh and his miraculous conversion. It was the sermons and biography of Sadhu Sunder Singh which finally led KGK to accept the Lord Jesus Christ as his personal Saviour. As a young man, he took initiatives to organize Bible study groups and Annual conventions. At one such meeting, he surrendered himself to the Lord's work responding to the call of Sadhu Kochukunju Upadeshi.

KGK was very firm about his decision to pursue the Lord's work. He was further

strengthened by the words of Job in the Old Testament: “I know My redeemer liveth.” Not knowing the future ahead, he jumped into the mighty arms of Christ at the young age of 18. KGK stood firm even when his family members including his older brother and father stood against this decision. His father even said that he would bind KGK with anchor ropes used by boats, but KGK staunchly defended his faith. He wrote a detailed letter renouncing all his shares in the family property and left, believing that the Lord who hath called him for His service would be faithful and He would sustain him.

In-Depth and Systematic study of the Word of God

K G Kurian was keen in Biblical scholarship and in-depth study of the scriptures. He was a regular reader of scholarly Magazines like Bibliotheca Sarca, Our Hope, Moody Monthly, Christianity Today, Prophetic Witness and Precious Seed. He was a lover of books and gathered many books. His favourite authors were H A Ironsides, Campbell Morgan, Griffith Thomas, John F Walvoord, F F Bruce, J N Darby and many others.

He loved expository study and encouraged new generation to do so. He stressed upon expository preaching unlike others who were feeding the audience with ' Baby Food'. Emphasis on expository preaching was his valuable contribution to Kerala brethren community.

He was against 'One man' ministry at the same time he never encouraged 'Any man' ministry. He encouraged new generation to attain both secular and biblical education to meet the new challenges.

KGK continued to grow in the Lord by reading the scriptures and attending Bible study meetings with fellow Brethren. It was during these days he learned about Mahakavi K V Simon and his famed debates proclaiming Christ as the only Saviour of the World. He was baptized at the age of 20 by Mahakavi K V Simon himself and continued to work with him. KGK was greatly influenced by K V Simon, because of his humility and scriptural knowledge and under his tutelage he spiritually grew. He started travelling to the Northern part of Kerala to preach the word of God under the patronage of Bro. EP Varghese of the Edacheril family at Angamali.

Later, KGK came to Trichur and became an active supporter of Assembly activities like Bible classes and open-air meetings. During his stay in Trichur, he had access to a vast variety of spiritual reading material and soon became an able minister of the word of God. KGK's stay in Trichur helped to groom him as an able expositor of the Word of God. He would preach at Gospel meetings in the central part of the town where many learned men from other faiths and Nominal Christian backgrounds would gather to hear his powerful Gospel messages regularly. He travelled to many places later and expounded deep truths from the Holy Scriptures.

Marriage & the Beginning of an Ideal Christian Family

KGK married Achamma in 1941 and together they moved to various places in the service of the Lord beginning at Valakam. By then, KGK had become a noted preacher and a Bible teacher. God gave them ten children, who were all brought up in strict Christian discipline and all of them continue in fellowship with believers at the various places that the Lord has led them to.

His sons Dr Alexander Kurian (Dallas, USA) and Br. John Kurian (Kottayam), following the footsteps of their father, are currently in the Lord's vineyard and are itinerant Bible preachers who travel all around the world.

In the Lord's Vineyard

Along with Mahakavi K V Simon, KGK was also influenced by Bro. E. P. Varghese of Edacheril, Angamali and together they laboured for the Lord at various places. Throughout his ministry, he was associated with other contemporary Bible scholars both in India and abroad and was involved in the ministry of the Word at several places. KGK and family moved to various places in Kerala over the years and enjoyed a wonderful Christian fellowship with the Assemblies in these places. His preaching and debating skills on fundamental doctrinal topics were well appreciated by Bible scholars both in Brethren assemblies and others. His open-air preaching, Convention sermons and Bible study classes are fondly remembered by many even today. All his messages were filled with apt and precise words with a firm foundation in the Word of God. His method of presenting the topic “The Impeccability and Moral Glories of Christ Our Lord” remains inimitable. He was also an excellent writer and was an editor for the Sathya Prakashini Magazine. His Gospel messages in the Living Waters Broadcasts were also powerful and well-received.

One of his most famous debates, which showcased his exemplary debating skills was on the topic of the Death of Christ on the Cross and Healing in a meeting held at Valakam. This debate substantiated the biblical doctrines expounded by Brethren believers. Another famous KGK speech was the one against Child Baptism at a meeting at Kayanad.

A lot of KGK's knowledge came from the books he read. KGK himself being a voracious reader of books often helped others select good Bible study books. He had a good collection of spiritual books in his own personal library an also wrote many books on various spiritual subjects.

He was firmly against “Any- man ministry” in assemblies. KGK often stated that those who clearly do not have the gift of expounding the Word must not continue in the ministry of the Word. He was particular about the preciseness and gift of expository preaching.

Called Home to Glory

The home call of K G Kuriachen took place on the 21st of November 1984. Three days before he passed away, he ministered at the Puthupally Assembly in Kottayam from Psalm 23:6. His exhortation on “I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever” touched several hearts, though no one knew that it was his final message at that time. During the funeral service, many servants of the Lord shared their experiences and how they had been edified, encouraged, and enriched by KGK.

KGK was a man who will forever be remembered for his labour for the Word and the doctrine. He lived by, for and through the Word of God and that very Word took him to various places and helped him reach countless people. The power of the Word of God shone through at every stage of KGK's life, and this happened only because he put his trust in the Lord at every step of the way which is something we can all aspire to.

– Koshy Mathew

This article originally appeared in the Harvest Times magazine's June 2017 issue.