Abraham Chacko, Sr

Abraham Chacko, Sr. (N.A. Chacko) 94,


husband, father, and grandfather for 27 years, was called home by his Master, Savior and Lord to continue his citizenship from a far better place at 3:30 am Saturday, February 20th, 2010.





He is survived by Ammini Chacko, wife of 61 years. Son, Abe Chacko (Jane) of Fulton, IL, Benjamin and Jonathan. Daughters Mercy Oommen (Jose) of White Bear Lake, MN, Stephen, David and Philip. Grace Varghese (John) Lino Lakes, MN, Eric and Felix.





"Chackochayan" and "Alyan" as he was affectionately known in the Indian community, was the youngest of five children born to Esau and Mariamma Abraham in Kerala, India. With his home call a generation of this family has passed from earthly view. He was lovingly called "Dad" and "Grandpa" by his children and grandchildren.





After completion of his high school education in Kumbanadu, he pursued additional training in typing and shorthand. This training took him to Kodaikanal, Madras for a job followed by a brief stint at the Dockyard in Bombay. He had another job with the British Bible Society. Sometime thereafter, he engaged in studying accounting which landed him employed at IMBO (the business office in India of the Presbyterian and Methodist Churchs that officially managed funds from abroad for distribution to missionaries on the field).





During his 35 years at IMBO he distinguished himself with his accounting and supervisory skills, being promoted to department manager, a position he held until his retirement in 1977. During this time he fellowshipped at Fort Assembly, the first assembly established in Bombay. In 1952, under the godly and dedicated leadership of Harold McGregor, a missionary to India from New Zealand for 52 years,, another assembly work was started in Bandra, a suburb of Bombay. He, along with C.V. Baby, Thomas Varghese and Desraj Jacob, labored as an elder until 1989. The spiritual roots for his wife (Ammini) and his three children (Abe, Mercy and Grace) were formed here at this assembly.





His commitment to the Lord, his integrity, and his professional competencies were recognized among God's people and enabled him to manage the financial issues and underpinnings to complete the building that housed Bethel Christian Assembly, Santa Cruz in 1969 the first completely owned building by an assembly. This was a monumental accomplishment considering the complicated bureaucratic maze of Bombay's city government.





Concurrently, his financial and accounting skills coupled with spiritual insight led him to be offered the position of treasurer for a large apartment complex (Ebenezer in Mulund) geared to provide housing for believers. This project occupied much of his spare time and was completed in 1971. The Chackos, along with several families, relocated from Santa Cruz to Mulund (Ebenezer) which spurred the initiation of another assembly work in the city of Bombay. It was there at the Assembly in Ebenezer that he served as an elder until emigrating to the USA in 1987.





Coming to the United States and settling in with the children was a big adjustment for Dad and Mom. During this period, a majority of this time was spent acculturating to the U.S.A. and studying the Bible on his own. Among his many papers we have recently discovered the fruits of those studies, in many handwritten verse-by-verse studies of various books of the Bible. He ministered the Word as led by the Spirit at Believer's Bible Chapel in Coon Rapids, MN and Gateway Bible Chapel in Fulton, IL.





Discussing the academic careers and the pursuits of his grandchildren brought him tremendous delight. Another of his joys was Indian cuisine as prepared by his beloved wife, which he relished until a few years back when he became physically unable to swallow. His passion for Indian food did not overshadow his love for God's Word. A voracious reader of the Bible and related material and a prayer warrior, Dad was an ever-learning student of God's Word, giving all of us great encouragement and examples to "learn of Christ."





During these last years, Dad was in fragile health with many health crises, hospital admissions and visits to the emergency room. His wife and companion of 61 years, took meticulous care of Dad, sometimes under tremendous strain to carry out the routine cares and relieve any pain. She demonstrated significant devotion and the deep love of a wife for her husband. There was no doubt that they loved and cared for each other.





More recently, his increasingly failing health confined him to his bed. It was around his bed that his children, grandchildren and friends of the family found many occasions to engage in spontaneous prayer times, devotions and meditations. These were times where our faith was challenged and we reminisced on God's faithfulness to our family, causing the Lord's name to be exalted.





Today, we gather to celebrate our Dad's entrance into glory.