Reflections on a Father’s Legacy

It’s been a year since my father, KP Yohannan, passed away. I find myself thinking about him daily, wishing he were still here to continue some of our conversations.

As I reflect, I recognize what an incredible blessing it has been to observe how he lived out his faith consistently.

Loving our children means making faith concrete and practical for them.

One of the most significant lessons he taught me was living authentically. He was always the same person, whether in public or private. That kind of consistency is rare, yet it’s one of the most powerful ways to love as a parent. Every single day, my father demonstrated what it truly meant to follow God for my sister and me.

In our household, sharing the gospel was more than just a duty; it was simply how we lived.

I noticed that, as he aged, his pursuit of God didn’t wane. If anything, his passion for those who hadn’t heard of Christ deepened. He never grew tired of the mission, as it consumed him more profoundly over time. This passion was not just expressed through his words or the gifts he offered; it was evident in the way he lived.

That genuine way of life is the greatest gift a father can offer his child. It’s something we can carry forward and share with our own children, who in turn can pass it on. To love our children means to make faith tangible for them, demonstrating what it means to have a passionate love for God and concern for those who need to hear about Christ.

This sentiment permeated our everyday activities—whether in our cars, over coffee, or in prayer—we lived a faithful, simple life centered on loving God and loving others. Through all of this, our lives ultimately praise God.

When I consider my father, I miss him tremendously. Yet there’s also a sense of peace propelling me forward. The same God who was by his side is also with me now. I feel honored to continue the legacy of love that my father exemplified.

If there’s one thing I’d want people to remember about him, it’s this: he often posed a fundamental question to everyone he met—“Where are you, and what’s important in light of that reality?” This was his way of nudging us to invest ourselves in things that matter eternally, reminding us that only what we do for Christ lasts.

He would also urge us not to squander our time, saying, “Don’t give up too easily.” Especially to the younger generation, he would plead with them not to delay in serving God. “It simplifies your life,” he’d say. “Use your time wisely. Pray, give, go. There’s still a world that needs to hear about Christ.”

And he frequently asked, “What are you going to do about it now?”

I hope, by God’s grace, to guide my children just as my father guided me. I won’t be perfect; my dad certainly wasn’t. But I am committed to telling my own kids, “Follow me as I follow Christ.”

This past year has shown me how present my father remains in my life. His voice continues to resonate, and his lessons still provide direction. GFA World, the organization he founded, carries on strong.

With this in mind, I keep walking and pondering, “What am I going to do about it?”

I want to find an answer to that question every single day. I pray that my children, along with all those who were touched by my father’s life, will do the same.