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Brother John
Gollapalli was born on December 22, 1932 at Kamalapuram, Cuddaph District, AP, India. His parents, Elias Gollapalli and Gnanamma were simple, hard-working school teachers. They were Christians and brought up their children under strict discipline.
He completed his high school education at Kamalapuram and went to the Andhra Christian College, Guntur, for undergraduate education. In his youth he gained talents in music, acting, wrestling, and sports. Towards the end of his undergraduate education (B.A), he received the Lord Jesus Christ as his personal Savior and was baptized in New Delhi while in fellowship with the believers of “House of Worship” where is elder brother, G.Samuel was the senior elder. |
| 1958: |
Started working for the All India Radio, Hyderabad, as a Program director. |
| 1959: |
Composed his first song while in fellowship with Bro.Bakht Singh at ELIM: Rajaadhi Raaja Prabhuvula Prabhu. |
| 1960: |
Married Urmila on February 8, 1960. He penned &sang Yehovah Naa Balamaa Yadhartha mainadi Nee Margam as his testimony at his wedding, the first one conducted by Late Bro. Bakth Singh at Hebron. They are blessed with two sons, Samuel & Asheel, and daughter Shiloh. |
| 1964-68: |
In 1964, he resigned his job in the All India Radio and joined Far East Broadcasting Corp., Bangalore, as its director. That was the beginning of his ministry for the Lord through Radio which occupied the rest of his life. |
| 1968-70: |
Did special studies in Mass Communication at Hong Kong. He took this step for furthering his preparation for the Radio ministry. During these days he was very much used by the Lord as a Bible Teacher. |
| 1970-72: |
Did M.S. in Educational Communication in the State University of New York at Oswego. While being a student he had organized a local group and conducted weekly Bible classes. |
| 1973-75: |
Stationed at Bangalore, he continued his Radio Ministry through different broadcasting stations including Radio Sri Lanka. The tiles of his classes were: Daivopadesaalu, Bible Samayam; Aradhna Samayamulu. |
| 1975: |
Mr. Henry Pettkar, a missionary working for the Trans World Radio requested Brother Bakht Singh to give messages for regular weekly transmission. Brother said to him: “I will find a better person for you”. He then sent a cable to Brother John and advised him to take up transmission of Bible lessons through TWR. This step further promoted his radio ministry. |
| 1975-90: |
While continuing his radio ministry he was actively involved in the life and ministry of the local church at Bangalore, called: Hermon. |
| 1992: |
Moved to USA and preached God’s word in various churches. |
| 1999: |
Started Chicago Bible Fellowship. |
| 2007: |
Went to be with the Lord on January 11, 2007. |
Brother John
Gollapalli was a beloved Bible teacher to thousands of people all over the world. His Bible teaching, which was deep, yet simple and powerful, was received by the listeners with great appreciation and obedience to the Word. He has written many songs in Telugu which include Aaanandamuga Yehovah Nee Kripalanni, Yesu Prabhun Stuntinchuta, O Yesu Nee Prema Yento Mahaaneeyamu and Daeva, Naa Daeva Uppuga Chesitivi which are embraced and appropriated in many homes & churches all across the world.
By God’s grace he was able to take God’s word to many thousands of people through his steadfast radio ministry of about 45 years. Bro.Bakht Singh loved him and used him much in the ministry and dearly called him Radio John. The humble and hungry for God’s Word loved and sought his ministry and fellowship. After Bro.Bakht Singh became physically weak, some of the assemblies were closed for Brother John for reasons unknown to him. Amazingly, the Lord used this as a way to open many other doors for Brother John to reach out to thousands of unsaved people among different denominations all over India and USA with the Gospel. He was sought, not because of any label that he carried, nor because he worked under any man’s name, but just because people saw the anointing of the Holy Spirit on him and the gift of teaching that was given to him. Indeed, he was a gifted Bible Teacher! When the righteous judge shall judge all our labors, he will have his reward (2 Timothy 4:8; Romans 14:10). We thank God for his life and ministry among us.
As for God, His way is perfect – Psalm 18:30.
Detailed Biography |
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