Immigrant Faith Stories: Season 1, Episode 1

Dr.John Prabhakar and his wife, Esther Prabhakar, were both born in Palayamkottai, a town in the state of Tamil Nadu in India which was nicknamed, “Oxford of the South” due to the presence of several Christian institutions established by English missionaries. They both were raised in Christian families, and they committed their lives to Christ at an early age.

John was a medical doctor and Esther was a Home Economics teacher when their marriage was arranged in 1965. They moved to Chicago in 1967 with their year-old son, Larry. Their second son, Ernie was born the next year.

After 7 years of residency in Chicago, John practiced as a surgeon in Rochell, IL. while Esther worked in her husband’s office and was active in the local church and community. Their children are married and John and Esther have six amazing grandchildren. They love traveling and studying the Bible in small groups.

John and Esther split their time between Illinois and California, so that they can remain close to their children and grandchildren.

Here’s a fun fact about Esther – Her ancestor, Rev. Aaron of Tranquebar, was the first native minister/ pastor ordained in all of India, and possibly in all of Southeast Asia in 1733. And here’s an interesting fact about John – He attended the Billy Graham Crusade in 1953.