John Powledge

John C. Powledge of Andover, Kansas, passed away on Sunday, October 3, 2021. He was born February 7, 1958, in Lubbock, Texas, to George R. and Donna G. Powledge. John had a happy childhood. He enjoyed music (singing, playing piano and French horn), as well as debate and politics. John loved the United States of America and joined Army ROTC at the University of Houston. He received his commission as an active duty Army officer in Field Artillery and was sent to Germany. It was here, God gave him the lifelong calling to minister to the Jewish people and every step the rest of his life was to fulfill this calling. While continuing to serve in the Army Reserves he returned to the U.S. to attend Christ for the Nations (CFNI) in Dallas, TX. Shortly after graduating CFNI, he obtained his Masters in Divinity at Messiah Biblical Institute in Gaithersburg, MD and transferred into the Chaplains Corp as an Army Reserve Chaplain and the first Messianic Jewish chaplain in the U. S. military. He next stepped onto the mission fields of Eastern Europe where he worked with Hear O’Israel Ministries’ music and dance festivals in Belarus, Russia, Ukraine, Latvia, Hungary, and Moldova, as well as help to plant Messianic Jewish congregations in Belarus. Following this, John returned to the U.S. and continued his military service as an Army Reserve chaplain while participating in short term missions to Ethiopia, India, and Argentina. Shortly after 09/11/2001, he was activated at Ft. Carson, CO, where he was the chaplain for a reserve unit, Prussman Chapel, Ft. Carson Command Chaplain Staff, and the Casualty Notification Teams. He next served at Ft. Gillem, GA with First Army where he was part of one of the first teams to bring aid after Hurricane Katrina and obtained the rank of Colonel (06). John next became the Command Chaplain of the 335th TSC and deployed to Kuwait, Iraq, Afghanistan, and Qatar to support his troops. His military service ended as part of the Chief of Chaplains Office, Army Reserve Component staff, at the Pentagon giving over 32 years of service to his country. After retiring, John worked for Chaplaincy Full Gospel Churches (CFGC) to bring eligible ministers into the U.S military chaplaincy. God then gave him the opportunity to fulfill his original calling by raising up student leaders and Messianic Jewish congregations among the Lemba tribe in Zimbabwe as field director with Jewish Voice Ministries International. John then served as the Messianic Rabbi of Remnant of Israel Messianic Synagogue. He served this congregation well for six years and five months. All who knew John were deeply impacted by his love, his faith, and his passion for the Lord. He was a friend to all. He devoted his life to the work of the Lord, to reach the Jewish people, and, most recently, the people of Wichita. We miss him.

John is survived by his wife Annette; child Russell (Joy); parents George and Donna; grandchildren John and Gabriel; siblings Keli (Larry) and Russell D. (Wan); nieces and nephews Mitchell, Mary, Rachel (Jacob), and Renee (Spencer).

Visitation will be held 2-8pm, Wednesday, October 20th, 2021 at Resthaven Mortuary, 11800 W Hwy 54, Wichita, KS 67209. Memorial Service will be held 1:30-3:30pm, Thursday, October 21st, 2021 at Remnant of Israel Messianic Synagogue, 3700 East Pawnee, Wichita, KS 67218. Celebration of Life will be held 4:30pm, Thursday, October 21st, 2021 at Old Cowtown Museum, 1865 W Museum Blvd, Wichita, KS 67203.

Memorials can be made to John Powledge Memorial Fund with Remnant of Israel Messianic Synagogue:

You can give on PayPal by donating to [email protected] with “John Powledge Memorial Fund” in the notes. Please mark “Sending money to friends or family”.

Or donate by mailing a check to Remnant of Israel at 3700 E Pawnee, Wichita, KS 67218. Write “John Powledge Memorial” in the memo line.

Graveside service will be held 3pm, Monday, March 7th at Arlington National Veterans Cemetery. The family has requested the services to be livestreamed on https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=snqCT5tR-7U