A Tribute to Rev. Ziegenbalg Jeremiah Achariam The Broken Chain
We little knew that morning. God was going to call your name, In life we loved you dearly, in death we do the same. It broke our hearts to lose you, you did not go alone, for part of us went with you, the day God called you home. You left us beautiful memories your love is still our guide, and though we cannot see you, you’re always at our side. Our family chain is broken and nothing seems the same, but as God calls us one by one, the chain will link again. Dearly Missed By : Shanti Achariam & The Children
The late Rev. Jeremiah Achariam or Pastor Jerry as he was so fondly known was called home to the realm of the Heavenly Father on Sunday 28th November 2011. Pastor Jerry was the 6th of 7 children of the late Rev. S.G. Achariam – the very first indigenous pastor in the ELCM and Mrs Eva Maragatham Achariam. He was born in Tranquebar, South India on 16th June 1947.
him as a counsellor for drug addicts and wayward and juvenile delinquents. In 1987 he was sent to Bossey, Geneva for a six month course in ecumenical studies. During his 33 year tenure with the ELCM, Pastor Jerry served in various capacities at Diocesan level, both as a member and Vice-Chairman of the Diocesan Council. Pastor was assigned the role of Acting Bishop during the absence of Bishop Julius Paul who was on leave for 6 months in the 90s.
His early years were spent in Penang where his father served as a Pastor. Rev. S.G. Achariam’s fervent prayer was answered when Pastor Jerry committed his life to full time ministry and began his theological studies in the 70s at the United Theological Seminary in Bangalore, India. A year later, he transferred to the Trinity Theological College in Singapore where he joined other ELCM students including the late Rt Rev. Julius Paul, the late Rev. Danaraj Darlington and the late Rev Calvin Chelliah.
Pastor Jerry, a name that brings fond memories and a strange softness to the heart, a gentle, loving, thoughtful and a charismatic Pastor, who always placed others before self and who truly feared the Lord. God used His servant mightily as many testify that they are in fulltime ministry today because of Pastor’s encouragement. Yes, he truly worked without boundaries in the Lord’s vineyard .
As a student Pastor in Singapore, Pastor Jerry was assigned to the Bethlehem Lutheran Congregation in Sembawang (formerly the arm of the ELCM in Singapore) under the leadership of Rev. Moses Muthusami who was pastoring this congregation at that time. Being vibrant and dynamic, Pastor Jerry took a lead role in the youth fellowship and introduced new programmes which drew many to Christ. Fond memories of the good times at Bethlehem Lutheran Church are cherished till today.
The many comforting and consoling calls and messages that we received on his sad demise was a true reflection of the way that Pastor Jerry had touched the lives of many. Everyone had an experience to share of him. Ever so often during his preaching, Pastor had often uttered these words with great conviction“ If I were to pass on this very moment, I am assured that I will be with My Lord ” . Yes, Pastor Jerry has truly gone home to be with the Lord.
Pastor Jerry graduated from Trinity Theological College, Singapore with a Bachelor in Theology in 1977 and was ordained as a Pastor of the ELCM in the Church Of Victory Penang in the same year. From then on his ministry extended to almost all congregations, both rural and urban, of the ELCM. Every group that he ministered to was considered as a call from God – a challenge to reach out to the people.
We thank God for Pastor’s role as a caring Pastor, a loving husband to me, a devoted father to our children, Jonathan, Nicholas, Jeremy and Timothy, a wonderful father-in-law to Sheela and doting grandpa to our grandson Zachary. “WELL DONE THOU GOOD AND FAITHFUL SERVANT: ENTER THOU INTO THE JOY OF THY LORD” Matthew 25:21
Pastor Jerry’s flair for dealing with young people allowed him to be selected for a training programme by the Malaysian government In the Youth & Social Ministry sector in the early 80s. This training certified
By Shanti Achariam
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