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About
My Dad
MR. M. T. YOHANNAN
(1920- 1995)
Little about My Dad:
My
father, Mr. M. T. Yohannan, was born in a small town called,
Mylapra, in Patthanamthitta District in Kerala, India. Born
in Jacobites family, he found that the beliefs of Brethren
are more close to the Word of God and hence, moved from
Jacobites group to Brethren. He was a nephew of Thotallil
Mammen, who was one very close to Mr. K.V. Simon, the
stalwart of Brethren. Mr. Mammen, worked under the guidance
of Mr. K.V. Simon for Brethren development in Mylapra area
to a great extent. Later, My dad, and his younger brother,
Mr. M.T. Daniel, along with Mr. T.M. Daniel, son of Mr.
Mammen, worked for the development of Brethren. My dad left
Mylapra and worked for Indian Armed forces in Wireless
department, and on discharge from Armed Forces, he joined
Andhra Pradesh Police Department in wireless department. He
married my mom, whose family was already in Brethren. To
them were born four sons and two daughters. I am the eldest
son to them. My second brother is Wilson, now in Chennai,
third brother is Philip, now in Hyderabad, and fourth
brother is (late) Sunny and my sisters are (late) Lovely,
and Gladys now in Mumbai.
Little about My Parents:
My
father and mother served Andhra Pradesh Government until
their retirement. My mom retired as Office Superintendent
in Public Works Department. My parents were staunch
believers in Lord Jesus Christ and they taught us the love
of Lord Jesus Christ. All the children born to them have
accepted Lord Jesus Christ as their Savior.
Little about Brethren Pattern of Worship:
Brethren pattern of Worship is to gather around Lord's Table
every Sunday, remember the death of Lord Jesus Christ upon
the cross of Calvary, through the exhortations from several
brothers gathered around the table, break the bread and
drink from the cup of the Lord, and remember his burial and
resurrection. Later, offerings are collected and a message
is given by Lord's servant for the edification. Believers
sing songs before and after the Lord's supper, but before
the Lord's Supper, usage of musical instruments is strictly
prohibited, in order to have full meditation on the
sacrifice of Lord Jesus Christ. Later, during the service
when songs are sung, musical instrument can be used.
Brethren believe in plurality of priesthood. Woman are not
allowed to speak in Assemblies. However, women can speak in
women's meetings, work as Sunday School teachers, and can
pray in cottage prayer meetings, and prayer meetings. There
is divided opinion about wearing jewelry. Brethren do not
believe in existene of 'tongues' and 'prophecy'.
Little about my Dad's service to the Lord Jesus Christ.
My
father worked with all zeal for proclaiming the Gospel of
Jesus Christ, despite several hurdles that he had to
encounter, and opposition from local communities and his
officers. Notwithstanding he worked for the spreading of
Gospel undauntedly. Although my dad was not a full time
Gospel worker, he relentlessly worked for the spreading of
Gospel of Jesus Christ. As a matter of fact, the Bible does
not distinguish between full time worker and part-time
worker. Even Apostle Paul was not a full time worker. In
the light of those facts, it can be said, that my father
devoted much of his time for the spread of the Gospel of
Lord Jesus Christ. He was one of the very few privileged
ones to participate in the first ever Brethren Conference
held among Telugu-speaking people at Hyderabad in 1956. Some
of the stalwarts present in that conference were H McGREGOR,
A NAISMITH, J M DAVIES, M E CHERIAN, V T MATHAI, T A KURIEN,
JUSTUS SAMUEL, T G SAMUEL, V T JOHN, V P JACOB, and K P
AGRIPPA.
In the
later years of his life, he adapted Brethren pattern of
worship to Army chapel at Hyderabad and served as Lord's
servant, until he breathed his last, teaching and preaching the
Word of God, to soldiers.
I
am privileged to be born to my dad, and learn the Word of
God.
God
bless
Leslie John |
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