John George (74) passed away on October 20, 2026 at his home in Nashville, Tennessee. A pillar of the Indian Christian community in both middle Tennessee and his home state of Kerala, India, John’s final days were marked by endless visits and calls from loved ones across the globe.

John was born on February 17, 1952 in Narakathani in the Pathanamthitta District of Kerala to Pastor VJ George and Aleyamma George. He was the oldest child born to the Vettukuzhiyil family, carrying forward the legacy of faith and service built by previous generations. He was loved and revered as the older brother, oldest cousin, and big boss to everyone he knew.

After graduating from SKV High School in Kottakara, Kerala, John went on to NSS College where he was active in the Kerala Students Union (KSU) under the Indian National Congress party and eventually became the Union Chairman. In this role, he held a close relationship with late Indian politician Sanjay Gandhi, and started the 'Sanjay Forum' a grassroots movement that transformed into a highly influential organization for the Indian Congress. John pursued his dream of studying law at Law College of Trivandrum and graduated in 1981.

Thanks to God’s perfect timing, John was blessed to be introduced to Saramma Joseph in 1982. Saramma’s cousin, Charliechayan, suggested the match, and after John’s and Saramma’s fathers met, it was clear that both families were rooted in a foundation of faith and shared values. Saramma, living in Nashville at the time, travelled to Kerala and John came to see her in her family home. It took only an hour and a half of conversation for John and Saramma to know that they were ready to step forward into the future together. On February 17, 1983, they were married in Nilambur, Kerala. Over the last 43 years, their journey together has been an illustration of God's faithfulness, forgiveness, and goodness.

John moved to Nashville as a newlywed in 1983. New to the United States, he brought others from Kerala together with a prayer group that became the Malayalee Christian Fellowship. Between 1985 to 2000, the group grew from a few people in John and Saramma’s condominium living room to over a 60-person gathering. This group welcomed many newcomers to the Nashville area and allowed them to connect over the shared faith, traditions, food, and language they hoped to preserve.

In the 1980s, John started the Providence International Medical Supply company. He ran it successfully for 10 years until vision problems kept him from continuing to lead the company. The change in his health made space for John to heed the Macedonian call to full-time ministry. This calling was the fulfillment of a prayer the late pastor KE Abraham, founder of the Indian Pentecostal Church (IPC), had imparted over John's life as a newborn. He travelled between Nashville, where he led a house church from 2002 to 2010, and Kerala as he stepped into this calling.

John wanted to continue his father’s legacy of equipping young men from different parts of the world. He became director of New Hope Bible College in Nilambur, Kerala from 2007 until 2026, the Malabar Regional President from 2010 until 2025, and the District Minister of Nilambur South Center from 2022 to 2026. In this role, he saw caring for the widows and the orphans as integral to his mission. The team of pastors John led waded through Kerala’s remotest areas to bring a message of hope and service. They supported the community by providing a means for housing, medical and living expenses. His ministry was greatly supported by New Hope Community Church in Brentwood, TN, now Crosswalk Church, where he was a long time member. His most impactful and last leadership position was that of being president of IPC Malabar Kerala State from 2025 to 2026, a year filled with countless testimonies of the impact of Christ’s love for his home state. John returned from his last trip to Kerala in April of 2026.

John will be remembered as a people person and a man of principle. John enjoyed entertaining and was renowned for his perfectly seasoned steak and potatoes. Though he did not have kids of his own, he cared deeply for the children in his community. Among the families who knew him as “Babu Uncle” in Nashville, he made a lasting impact on the next generation’s cultural identity while reminding them that their ultimate identity is in Christ. In Kerala, he expanded the reach of the Gospel, developing hundreds of pastors’ ability to meet both spiritual and physical needs. He was a generous presence, whether carrying a young child on his shoulders, visiting the sick in the hospital, or helping a newly arrived family navigate life in America. John drew his love and compassion from the inheritance of faith passed down by his family, strengthened by his community, and rooted in Jesus Christ.

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

– Ephesians 3:20-21

John George is survived by his wife, Saramma George, his brother Jacob George and family (Valsala Jacob & Achsah), his sister Marykutty Joy and family (Sheeba & Leni Samuel, Sheeja Joy, Jim & Sarika Joy, Adam & Aaron, Sarah & Joann, Esther), his Brother in law Babu Thalavady and family (Feba & Stanley, Joel) . He was preceded in death by his father, the late Pastor VJ George, mother Aleyamma George and sister Elizabeth Kurien.