Bishop A. George Ninan was born in Kaviyoor, Tiruvella (Kerala state,India) on August 4, 1934 in a well known erstwhile Anglican, (now CSI) family. He had his schooling in Alleppey, where his father was employed in a European company. He also had his college education in Alleppey and graduated with Economics and Political Science as major subjects.
He felt the call for full time Christian ministry and joined the Christian Institute Alleppey, a religious Institution run by the Central Kerala CSI Diocese. He was sent to Japan in 1958 for a year’s training in youth work by the Diocese. Upon return he became Diocesan Youth Secretary. His student and youth days were spent as active Student Christian Movement member, senior advisor and active CSI Youth Leader.
He married Rachel (Chacko) M .A. B. Ed in 1961 and in 1962 moved to Jabalpur for theological studies. While doing his studies, he was invited to join the Anglican Diocese of Nagpur and was ordained as deacon in 1963 and priest in 1964. He served as the Dean of the All Saints Cathedral till 1970. During the same period, he serves as the general Secretary of the Anglican Provincial Youth Movement. He broke new grounds by organizing the Anglican Youth of India, Pakistan and Ceylon and holding Provincial conferences and related programs. He also completed as an external student the B.D course from the Serampore University with high second class.
He along with his wife went to USA for higher studies on World Council of Churches scholarship and studied at the Phillips University in Enid Oklahoma 70-72. He served as Associate priest at the St. Mathew’s Episcopal Church, Enid and stayed in the Rectory during that period.
Upon return he was invited to join the Bombay Diocese of Church of North India, formed in 1970 and became Rector of St. Stephen’s Church in Bombay. Concurrently he founded the Bombay Urban Industrial League for Development, an outstanding organization still operating in Bombay as a pioneer in Christian Urban Rural Mission. He also founded much other organization in Bombay and became a well known social activist in India.
In 1979 he was invited to join the staff of Christian Conference of Asia, the regional body related to WCC and covering 17 countries in Asia as well as Australia and New Zealand. He was based in Hong Kong till 85 and then moved to Singapore to be the Associate General Secretary of the CCA. The offices of CCA were shifted in 87 to Japan and he served CCA in Japan till August 90. He was able to visit and get to know the life and work of the Asian Churches and made many friends.
Upon return to India, he served as Director of Vikas Adhyan Kendra (Center for Development Studies) in Bombay 90-92, a secular organization highly respected by the social activists and political circles. He along with other friends founded the Indian National Social Action Forum (INSAF =Justice) bringing together over 400 social organizations on the National level. Several organizations on national level in India came into being during the nineties through the work of George Ninan. He move to Delhi as the Director of The CNI Social Service Board, directing work in over 2500 villages and over hundred staff team.
In 1994 he was elected Bishop of Nasik of the CNI. He served the Diocese till retirement in 99, lifting up the Diocese to a higher spiritual, social and economic level. During his time the Diocese was bifurcated into two because it was too big and spread out. He served the Diocese well.
Upon retirement in 99, he was invite to lead the Joint Council of CNI-CSI & Mar Thoma churches. This council was formed in 78 but had become stagnant over the years. Bishop George Ninan gave it a new name” Communion of churches in India and gave unique leadership for a couple of years. In 2001 he was invited by the United Church of Canada to go to Canada to teach at the St. Andrew’s Theological College in Saskatoon for a year. At the close of the term, he accepted the invitation of the Anglican Bishop of Calgary who offered him a parish in a small town. He served the parish for a couple of years and moved to USA to be near their children who live in New York State and New Jersey.
Bishop Ninan has written several articles, edited magazines and periodicals, authored the Book: Responses to Challenges in 21st century. He has always been a well sought out speaker for conferences, seminars, Sunday services etc. His main concern is mission in a pluralistic society and promoting practical Christian life.
His wife has been with him in all these endeavors. Their home has been open to all and a meeting place for social activists of all nations and persuasions. Rachel has always been a wonderful hostess and stood with her husband in all their travels and involvements. They have three children, all married and settled down with three grand daughters