On Sunday morning, September 13, I received a phone call informing me that Dr Prabhakaran George, our National Director in India, had suddenly died whilst attending a training conference for young leaders in Bangalore. I was shocked and deeply affected by this tragic and unexpected loss of a much loved ministry colleague and friend. Prabha had suffered a massive heart attack. He was a young 60-year-old and just this week had been exploring phasing out of his national leadership role to take on South Asia regional leadership responsibilities.

Prabha was a Godly man – gentle of spirit, loving, generous and caring – with an uncompromising commitment to Jesus and an unrelenting passion for sharing the gospel with the young people of India. Under Prabha`s leadership the YFC ministry in India has grown and thrived and last year they were able to reach just over 987,000 young people with 63,141 of these young people committing their life to Jesus.

Prabha was also a dedicated family man who dearly loved his wife Nilo and his children Andy, Joanna and daughter-in-law Dipti. He talked often about his family with pride and love.

His wife Nilo sent out this message:
“Dear Friends:
Prabha my husband went to be with the Lord on September 13th. It was so sudden. He had a massive heart attack and died in his sleep while he was at the India YFC training centre to teach at our junior staff training program. This has saddened our hearts – Andy, Dipti, Joanna and I are still in a state of shock. The Lord has been sustaining us with His grace. We need your prayer support for us and also for [Youth for Christ], that the Lord will give us a leader of His choice. Please inform those who know and love us.
Lovingly,
Nilo.”

Over 500 people attended Prabha`s funeral on Tuesday in Chennai and on Wednesday over 300 people attended a Memorial Service celebrating his life and service with YFC. Please join with me in prayer extending the love and peace of Christ to Prabha`s family and the YFC India staff as they face the sudden an unexpected loss of a much-loved husband, father, leader and colleague.

As you will know, Prabha was a wonderful advocate for the ministry of YFC India and much of the support of the ministry came through Prabha`s advocacy. The ministry needs you now like never before. We all need to rally around the staff and leadership providing support, encouragement and partnership as they continue to reach and serve the young people of India.

I know that you may also want to financially support the family at this time. The family has specifically requested that any gifts would go to the YFC ministry in India. Please use the enclosed response form if you wish to send a gift.

If you would like to send notes, letters or words of encouragement we would be happy to pass them on to the family.

YFC India has formed a search committee to seek a new leader for the ministry and the city leaders and nationwide Board members are meeting on the September 26 & 27. Scott Cougill, the Asia Pacific Area Director, will be part of the committee and attend the meeting.

In the midst of grief and sadness I am compelled to celebrate a life that has counted much for the Kingdom of God and the cause of Christ. As I join with you and thousands of others to reflect on the faithfulness, dedication and fruitfulness of Prabhakaran George, I pray that we will all be inspired by Prabha`s example to follow our heavenly Father with all our heart, soul and mind and to love many others into the Kingdom of God.

Sincerely

David Wraight
International President