Born in 1932, JOHN BANIYAN DAS, was a different child among two brothers and five sisters. As a child he would make bricks from empty matchboxes and slushy mud. When dried in the sun, with these small bricks John would make small buildings of his design. When he was in Class-3 he scored such high marks that his teachers promoted him to Class-5. He went on Odisha Government Scholarship to study B.SC Engineering to Patna Engineering College (now NIT), after completing his Pre-Professional Science from the famous Ravenshaw College, Cuttack. His Bible was a close companion and the book Imitation of Christ by Thomas a Kempis guided him towards salvation in Christ and prevented him from many sins, to lead a victorious life in his youth. After graduating in honours in Civil Engineering the State Govt. employed him as Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO).
From the start of his service career he denied bribes which is the in thing for civil contractors who would take-up most of the building and road constructions, even today! His honesty, humility and simplicity erupted from his personal Bible study and prayer that went onto become history in the Works Dept of the State Govt. He never missed Sunday Worship and his colleagues never disturbed him on Sundays.
On Sundays he would take Sunday Class for his three children by recounting Bible stories, singing hymns & choruses and taking account of Memory Verses in the morning. All through his life he helped the poor and needy, even helped a few to complete their technical education and some others to complete their theological education! His house was open to the servants of God and was invited to the Church Administration wherever he went (on transfer) in his service career. He contributed generously to the churches and extended the plinth area of churches where the need arose.
He rose to the pinnacle of his service career as Engineer-in-Chief-cum-Secretary to Government, Works Department and retired in the year 1990. All through his life he helped in designing the houses of many believers and also remained present during the laying of the roof (without taking any consultation fees) and always opened avenues for employment in the Dept. as per his designation and place of posting ! He was a member of the Banking Service Recruitment Board and a few Christian organisations besides being in the management of a Christian School.
Er. Das settled in the half-constructed house of his father Late Albert Das in Khordha which he completed ! His heart was for evangelism and always prayed fervently about it. He was the Chairman for OCOME (All Orissa Congress on Mission and Evangelization) and Luis Palao Evangelical Crusade titled Festival of Joy and Hope. He streamlined the GIDEON CAMP of Khordha and Jatni and contributed freely to all the Evangelical Missions inIndia
In Christian Circles of his time he was lovingly called "John Bhai" (Brother John) and lent his car to many Christian marriages. His life was a light to many. He was 87 yrs old when he closed his eyes to the world on 22nd June 2019. He is survived by his wife, a daughter and two sons.With Love from Vishwa Jyoti.