Tribute to John malanowski

Soon you will hear rumors that John Malanowski has died. Don’t believe it! He’s more alive now than he’s ever been. He passed away peacefully, in his sleep, on December 29th, 2022. It's true that he took his last breath on this earth. And for that we as a family will grieve. But at the same time we choose to rejoice in the fact that he took his first breath in Heaven. His lungs are filled with the purest air that has ever been. He is now walking streets of gold, admiring the greatest city his eyes have ever seen. He was a world traveler who loved to go and see every new thing he could see. But now he gets a new view. He gets to see his favorite country from a different perspective, he gets to see Jesus, the one he dedicated his life to, and he gets to meet those he had a distinct part in getting there.

John was 89 and a half the day he passed away. Exactly 6 months from his 90th birthday on June 29th, 1933 and only 8 months from his 70th wedding anniversary, of August 30th, 1953. He passed away in the country he loves most, the place he gave his life to serve Jesus, and leaves a tremendous legacy. We look forward to hearing the stories of impact his life has made in many who chose to follow Jesus after hearing his sermons, interacting in the churches he started, growing up in the orphanages he was part of establishing, and so much more. He was able to do so much for the Lord and for that we are immensely grateful. Please feel free to share your stories and pictures with us as this will be the best way to support us in this journey. 

So with all of our hearts we will cling to the fact that he was in the place he loves, doing what he loves, with the one he loves most. We can't imagine a better way for him to go home, than this. He is now home with Jesus and his homecoming couldn't be more deserved. 

We want to share a little of John's history and help you see his heart for ministry and the vibrant way he lived his life for Jesus. He accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior at 17 years old and had a huge passion to serve Him. John attended Moody Bible Institute and in May 1955, John graduated with a Bachelor of Theology from Tennessee Temple University. Just about a year later he was given the opportunity to be a pastor at Bible Fellowship Church in Harriman, Tennessee. John had the opportunity to pastor several churches from 1956 to 1966. Growing one church to 200 people while his wife Marjorie enjoyed their four kids at the time. In February 1966, John took part in his first mission trip to Honduras. The next two years were filled with traveling and evangelistic work in many states. God was doing something new and John was enjoying every minute. 

In January 1968, John took Marjorie with him on his second mission trip to Haiti. Soon after he became pastor at Grace Baptist Church where he had been a part of providing various meetings and revivals. He was a full-time pastor there for five and a half years. The church went from 25 to 300+ under his shepherding. During his time as pastor at this church, you could say the missions bug bit John and left a lasting impression. It was during his last mission trip to Columbia that he knew he was called to full-time foreign mission work. In May of 1974, John was introduced to the World Baptist Fellowship. Soon after he was accepted and approved with Marjorie to be missionaries to Indonesia. John worked diligently to raise support from 80+ churches and 20 individuals. He and his family were ready to cross the ocean and do what God had called them to do. 

On March 2nd, 1976; John, Marjorie, and their 5 kids landed in Indonesia for the first time. Their first steps were in Jakarta but it didn't take long for them to make it to Bali. However, circumstances prevented them from staying so they returned to Java and settled in Magelang. Right there in their backyard, God started an incredible work. It grew quickly and they were able to settle into a building to accommodate the expansion of the work God had entrusted to them. A visit home and time to work in Singapore were part of their following years. Then in December 1983, they settled in Semarang, Indonesia where they would live for 16 years (aside from furloughs). The church in Semarang had grown tremendously and John worked hard to raise the money needed for land and a new building. His tenacity and determination were unmatched. He never tired of doing what he loved and raising the support to do it well. To this day, the churches still remain in Magelang and Semarang. In 2001, they moved to Bali where he had the distinct honor of starting more churches and a Bible School!

John and his wife were part of starting and establishing many churches, orphanages, Bible Schools, and more. We can not adequately express the lifetime of work that they gave on the mission field in this small snapshot of their lives. But we hope with what we have shared, you see their heart for missions and know that John lived to honor his Heavenly Father alone. John and his wife gave 46 years to serving  the people of Indonesia. On November 9th, 2022, John boarded a plane with his bride to go to Indonesia for a visit after several years of being away. He was like a little boy, excited to get home, and be with the people he loved. Just days ago, John had a dream fulfilled getting to visit Sumba for the first time. Bible students from John's years of service went to start a church and orphanage in Sumba. He was able to see the expansion of his work before he left this earth. God has surely given him everything his heart longed for on this earth.

He had plans to come home on January 10th, 2023. His homecoming won’t be the one we had planned but we are confident the homecoming he received in Heaven was way more amazing. 

His life work has culminated to the greatest destination. We are sure he is meeting people for the first time that he had influenced with the Gospel and was part of their journey to get to heaven. Our hearts are sad to say goodbye but we rejoice that he is before the One he gave his life to. We know he is hearing the words, “well done, my good and faithful servant.” 

When asking his 9 year old grandson Zion what he would like to say about his grandpa, he said, "He would always go to Indonesia to tell people about Jesus, even if it meant something bad could happen. He wanted to love others and teach them about Jesus because God loved him first."

He has been reunited with his father, mother, and siblings. He leaves behind his wife, Marjorie Malanowski, whom he was married to for 69 years. He leaves five children, their spouses, nine grandchildren (g), six great grandchildren (gg), and one great grandchild on the way. … Sondra Howe (Glen) - (g) Michael (Anne) - (gg) - Nate & Ben, (g) Rebekah (Jeremy) - (gg) Madeleine, (g) Bethany (Dan) - (gg) Sam, Eden, and Thomas, (g) Kari... Gary Malanowski (Sandra), Sharon DeGracia (Nelson), Alan Malanowski (Cindy) - (g) Andrew (Amber), Laura (Kirk) - expecting their first child soon, and Danielle, and Paul Malanowski (Sarah) - (g) Zion & Gabriel. 

If you would like to give in honor of his name, please give your gifts to Indonesia Thrive here on this website or mail a check to the following address.

If you would like to send a message or card to Marjorie, please send it to.

Marjorie Malanowski 

c/o Indonesia Thrive

P.O. Box 435

Odessa, FL 33556

Thank you for your prayers and support as we walk through these days ahead! We look forward to hearing your stories of impact and celebrating the tremendous legacy that John Malanowski left. 

Love, 

The Malanowski Family