Pastor M. V. Varghese (1924 – 2024) A Remembrance by Pastor T. Valson Abraham
Dr. Valson Abraham
A Greek proverb says, “The old age of an eagle is better than the youth of a sparrow.” Pastor M. V. Varghese was an eagle who taught us sparrows many lessons on how to fly well. I want to share some highlights from his long life and ministry briefly.
Born in 1924, Pastor Varghese experienced a radical conversion to Christ and a call to ministry in 1941 at age 17. He attended Hebron Bible School in Kumbanad the following year.
In 1945, my grandfather, Pastor K. E. Abraham, sent him as the first IPC missionary to plant churches in Singapore, Borneo, and Malaysia. In these three places, he experienced a fruitful ministry for the next ten years among the Indian migrants, successfully planting churches.
In 1955, Pastor K.E. Abraham brought him back to India, saying, “I need you here to help me.” He placed him in a new area in Kerala as a pastor and to develop the work. In 1956, he also enlisted Pastor Varghese as an instructor at Hebron Bible School, beginning 68 years as an instructor at Hebron Bible School, which, in 1994, became India Bible College and Seminary.
He served as a district pastor for years in Tiruvalla, Ranny and Alleppey, developing and enlarging the districts by planting over 40 churches.
As an instructor at IBC, he and my father, Pastor T.S. Abraham, mentored IBC’s junior faculty members and served as Vice Principal of the Malayalam Medium at IBC for several years.
He also served as Vice President of the Kerala State Council for many years.
As pastor, instructor, and administrator, he was a master storyteller, illustrator, and Bible teacher. He conducted himself and his ministry with dignity and excellence, whether the occasion was a wedding, funeral, ordination, or communion service. He was always well-dressed and well-groomed. He always had a fit word for the occasion.
He has written poems and devotional songs, eloquently presenting biblical truths, writing and presenting them according to his audience’s needs.
Throughout the years, he was an invaluable source to me in my various roles. He shared many stories and illustrations of how my grandfather, father, or other senior pastors solved multiple problems that arose at different times. His insights immensely helped me as I led the ministry in north India and as General Secretary and General President of IPC.
After his life partner, Mrs. Kunjamma Varghese, passed away in 1995, he lived Mondays through Fridays at the faculty residence of India Bible College and Seminary. Each Friday evening, he went to stay with his youngest son, M. V. Philip (Sunny) and his family, who took excellent care of him.
For many years, he ministered in various churches in his district and other places every weekend.
For years after his wife’s passing, he ate his meals with my parents at the bungalow. My father’s daily routine was to have tea with him every day after 4 PM, along with a couple of other senior faculty members in the living room. Together, they had many delightful conversations.
I invited him to speak for our 100th IPC Convention on Sunday, January 21, 2024. God anointed his message, and it touched the hearts of all. After a few days, he attained his own century year.
His son, Sunny, brought him that Sunday, saying they left the house at 6.30 AM, and Pastor Varghese drank only a cup of coffee to arrive in time for the communion service at 8 AM. He attended both communion service and the regular Sunday service from 8 AM to 1 PM, then greeted various people, only eating lunch at 2.45 PM. What a great fellowship we had around the dining table, taking pictures. He prayed for us and left around 4 PM.
He was alert and filled with good humor until the end. When my sister, Mercy, and her husband, Georgie, visited him in the hospital the day before he passed away, he conversed and attended prayer very carefully and assured his prayers for the new academic year at IBC.
He was precious and loyal to Christ, his Lord and Savior, treasured and beloved to his family, precious and faithful to his church, precious and loyal to my grandfather, father, and our family for over 84 years, serving his family and God’s people with integrity and dignity. He was a man without greed for money or fame and had a great sense of humor.
May the Lord raise many more eagles like Pastor M.V. Varghese to train many young sparrows.
