Mr. John Cherian's Obituary
On Sunday, September 15, 2019, our beloved Joykutty went on to be with the Lord.
Rev. Dr. John Cherian was born on March 23, 1936, to the late Pastor K.C. and Rachelamma Cherian in Vettyar, Kerala, India as their third child. He has three siblings- Mariamma Thomas (Late), Abraham Cherian, and Grace Thavu. He was lovingly called Joykutty or Uppachen by those who knew him.
His father was a pastor and dedicated both himself and his family to serve the Lord with relentless pursuit. Because of his devout Christian upbringing, he accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior and dedicated his life to the Lord’s work at an early age. After graduating high school, he studied at Hebron Bible College, Kumbanadu and Southern Asia Bible College located in Bangalore. After receiving his theological degree, he joined the staff at SABC Bangalore. He became the first Indian Dean of SABC, at a time in which missionaries were leaving India. In the meantime, he pioneered a church in Hebbal Bangalore which was recognized as the first church of the Bethel Assemblies of God. In 1964, he came to the United States and completed his higher studies at Asbury Theological Seminary Kentucky, graduating with a doctoral degree. In 1971, he was married to Grace John Cherian of Veloor, Kottayam, India. After his theological studies at Asbury, he pastored several churches in the New York area. While in New York, they stayed in Bellerose. He was an ordained minister of the Assemblies of God and later became a New York district preaching minister associated with Assemblies of God. He was an avid writer for Christian Anthropology, which was a quarterly magazine that was accepted by several colleges and libraries globally. In addition, he had TV and Radio ministries in New York. He served the Lord for 56 years prior to retirement.
After his retirement, he moved to Spring Field, Missouri and stayed at Maranatha Retirement Village of the AG churches. When he became physically weak, he moved to Houston and lived with his nephew Robinson and Tessy Cherian. After moving to Houston, he was an avid member of IPC Hebron. Joykutty was preceded in death by his father and mother, K.C. Cherian, and Rachelammama, and his sister Mariamma Thomas. He is survived by his older brother Abraham Cherian, younger sister Gracy Thavu, and their respective families.
What’s your fondest memory of John?
What’s a lesson you learned from John?
Share a story where John's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with John you’ll never forget.
How did John make you smile?
