POON, John, Rev, B.A. B.D. (1922-1969)
Assembly memorial minute 1970
Born Hong Kong 10th June 1922. Died 23rd October 1969.
Ordained 17th May 1951.
Missionary at Tangoa Training Institute, New Hebrides and later at Paama.
Left New Hebrides in 1960 to take an appointment in New Zealand.
Inducted Stratford 5th February 1964.
The Rev. John Poon died on 23rd October 1969. Born in Hong Kong on the 10th June 1922 he came to Australia when a few months old. He graduated from the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology in 1940 with a Diploma of Electrical Engineering and served for a time with the State Electricity Commission. He became active in the Presbyterian Chinese Church especially in P.F.A. activities, being instrumental in forming a branch of the P.F.A. several of whose members later went overseas to serve as doctors, nurses and evangelists.
When he felt the call to the ministry he began studies at the Melbourne Bible Institute and later spent some time in Home Mission work while preparing to Matriculate and later upon his Theological Studies. He graduated B.A. and B.D. in 1950.
Following his ordination on the 17th May 1951 he went to the New Hebrides serving for a time in the Tangoa Training Institute and later as district Missionary at Paama. On his return from the New Hebrides he served for a time the Chinese Church in Auckland, New Zealand, and later returned to Australia to become minister of the Charge of Stratford where he ministered until his death.
The Assembly gives thanks to God for his life and witness and his valued contribution to the Church made in so many ways and prays that God will sustain, comfort and guide his widow and family.
Gender
- Male