His Story
Pastor S . Joseph
1932 - 2021
In loving memory
In 1950, a young orphan boy left the only home he knew, a small village in Karnataka, to follow his dreams. The city of dreams was his destination. He stepped off the train in Bombay with a heart full of hope, just the clothes on his back and a single rupee and fifty paisa that he clutched in his pocket. The journey was fraught with challenges that he needed to find the courage to overcome.
A few years later, his supernatural encounter with Jesus gave him hope, fortitude, and direction for his one precious life. He was passionate about sharing Jesus with everyone he met. He knew that the God that transformed his broken life had the power to change the lives of people across his city.
He was single-minded in his zeal for the gospel, which would lead him to register an organisation, New Life, in 1975 that would change the landscape of Christianity in India. Over six decades of faithful service to God saw him bring the message of hope and transformation to countless people. He saw broken lives being restored, the sick being healed, and the hope of the gospel filling frail human hearts and empowering them to fulfil their assignment on earth. Hundreds of thousands of people across India have been impacted by his surrendered life.
The story of Pastor Joseph's life is incomplete without the love and adoration of his wife, Florence, his true love and partner in the ministry. He raised three children, his firstborn Philip, who is his dearly beloved son, Esther, the star of his heart, and Naomi, a reflection of himself. Heaven has welcomed a faithful servant with a crown of life. He is absent in the body but present with the Lord.
On the 26th of June, 58 years ago, Pastor Joseph became a father to his precious firstborn son, Philip. Heaven spoke life to Pastor Joseph’s son, on this day.
This year, Heaven spoke again, and on this same day called him home to his Heavenly Father, welcoming a faithful servant with a crown of life.
Pastor Joseph was promoted to glory surrounded by his family — his wife, Florence, his children, Philip, Esther, Naomi, their spouses, his grandchildren, their spouses — and the sound of his favourite hymns.