1933 - 2015
Rev Tan Sri Dato
Prince Guneratnam
Born
21 August 1945
Muar, Johor, Malaysia
Died
10 September 2022
Damansara, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Occupation
Senior Pastor
Spouse
Petrina Guneratnam
Children
Pamela Joy Guneratnam
Prince Guneratnam Jr. (Jim)
Nationality
Malaysian
Race
Indian
Resting Place
Religion
“Only one life; it will soon be past. Only what’s done for Christ will last.”
- Prince Guneratnam
Reverend Dr. Prince Guneratnam, a much sought-after preacher and teacher of the Word of God, has travelled extensively to bring the Good News that Jesus saves. He has preached at Church Growth International Conferences, World Pentecostal Conferences, Missions Conventions, Pan-Asia Pacific Ministers' Conferences, and Evangelistic Rallies. His powerful pulpit ministry has brought the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ to nations far and wide - from Asia to the Americas, from Bangladesh to Budapest, from Indonesia to India, from Japan to Jerusalem, from Korea to Kenya, from Singapore to South Africa - over land and across the seas, and to the ends of the earth.
The vision of a 13-year old boy who dared to dream. His vision of preaching to multitudes - fulfilled, many times, exceedingly, abundantly, beyond what he could have asked or imagined. A faithful servant to an ever-faithful God. A life surrendered to do the will of God to "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation" (Mark 16:15).
Senior Pastor has, over the 50 years of ministry, developed and established a comprehensive and holistic ministry programme which builds, cares, and disciples the body of believers in Calvary Church, "to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up,"
More than a Senior Pastor of a local church, he was a Christian statesman whose outstanding leadership abilities were recognised early in his career. He gave himself unstintingly to the work of the Kingdom, well beyond Calvary Church.
Born on 21 August 1945 in the little town of Muar in the state of Johore, Malaya (Malaysia today), Prince Guneratnam was raised by godly parents, Samuel Ezekiel Guneratnam and Constance Theresa Guneratnam in the love and fear of the Lord. His parents named him 'Prince' because peace had just been declared across Malaya with the end of World War Two.
At the tender age of 13, he received the call of God upon his life through a series of visions of the Lord Jesus Christ. He was blinded by the brightness of these visions and only regained his eyesight after being prayed for by Evangelist Rev. Luther Szeto and Rev. Siew Wai Pun.
Treasuring this vision in his heart, he kept it alive by often visualising himself, as he stood on the verandah of his father's house, preaching to multitudes of people.
After completing his secondary education, Prince Guneratnam enrolled at the Bible Institute of Malaya (now called Bible College of Malaysia). It was there that he met his future wife - Petrina Giaw Foon Foon. They were married on 2 December 1966, the day after he graduated with a Diploma in Biblical Studies from the Bible Institute of Malaya.
Together, the young couple laboured to pioneer and establish the Glad Tidings Assembly in Klang in 1967. While Pastor Prince concentrated on building up the new church, Sister Petrina worked as a school teacher to provide financial support for the church. This working arrangement continued even after the arrival of their children.
In 1971, Prince Guneratnam was appointed Senior Pastor of Bethel Assembly in Singapore during the furlough of missionaries Reverend Fred and Margaret Seaward. In November 1972, the Lord led him back to Malaysia, when he was elected the Pastor of the four-years old Calvary Church in Kuala Lumpur. Together with his wife, they led the church until he was called home.
1972 - Prince officially assumed Pastorate in Calvary Church.
1975 - Bethel Tabernacle was started at Jalan Loke Yew, Kuala Lumpur
1976 - Berean Assembly was started at Jalan Pekeliling, Kuala Lumpur
1977 - The Tape Ministry was established
1978 - Homecell ministry was initiated (later on renamed Life Group Ministry)
- Revival Centre was started in Ulu Klang, Selangor
1979 - The Family Life Department was established
- Calvary Charismatic Fellowship was established
1980 - The Library, an evangelistic outreach, was started at Sungai Wang Plaza (shopping mall in Kuala Lumpur)
- People’s Assembly was started in Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur
1981 - First Assembly of God was started in Gemas, Negeri Sembilan (first daughter church started in another state)
- The Calvary Book Corner was established
- The Missionettes Ministry was established
1982 - The first Calvary Family Day was organised
- Women’s Ministries was initiated
- Royal Rangers Ministry was established
1983 - Calvary Church education programmes for children - Carpenter’s Workshop and for adults - School of Christian Growth were established
1984 - Calvary Printing Press was established
- Calvary Church Sibu was started in Sarawak (first daughter church in East Malaysia)
- Prayer Tower Ministry was established
1985 - Calvary Church Bintulu was started in Sarawak
- The first issue of Calvary News (Church Bulletin) was published
- Asian Institute of Ministries (AIM) was established
1986 - Calvary Church Damansara Heights was renovated from a sanctuary seating 300 to one seating 1,500
- In the mid-1980s, he shared the vision of Calvary Church with a 5,000 seating capacity, having facilities that would provide for the growth of believers as described in Luke 2:52.
- The Toddlers’ class was initiated to complement the worship service
- The Singing Christmas Tree was first presented at Wisma MCA. The Christmas programme has become an annual event as Calvary Church's Christmas gift to the people of the Klang Valley.
1987 - The Tuesday Ladies’ Worship Service (later on renamed ‘Dimensions’) was started
1989 - Calvary Church purchased its first and second bungalows at Jalan Damansara Permai, Kuala Lumpur
- The Singing Christmas Star was held in Stadium Negara, Kuala Lumpur
- Tamil AG was started in Segamat, Johore
- Charisma AG was started in Johor Jaya, Johore
- Serendah Assembly of God was started in Serendah, Selangor
1990 - Calvary College Students’ Ministry was initiated
- Calvary Church co-hosted with the Assemblies of God (AG) of Malaysia the first-ever Pan Asia Pacific Conference in Kuala Lumpur, with 33 participating countries
- The Filipino Ministry was initiated
- Calvary Sekinchan Assembly was started in Sekinchan, Selangor
- Westside Pentecostal Church was started in Vancouver, Canada (our first overseas daughter church)
1991 - Calvary Church purchased a third and fourth bungalow at Jalan Damansara Permai, Kuala Lumpur
- The Golden Eagles Ministry was initiated
- Praise Assembly of God was started in Alor Gajah, Malacca
1992 - The Calvary Men's Ministry was initiated
- The Japanese Ministry was initiated
- The Caring Ministry was initiated
- The Tamil Ministry was initiated
- The Visitors' Lounge was initiated
- Japanese Interpretation during service was initiated
- Sepang Praise Assembly was started in Sepang, Selangor
1993 - Bethel Chapel was started in Balakong, Selangor
- Berean Assembly was started in Desa Petaling, Kuala Lumpur
1994 - Calvary Communication Ministry was established
- Calvary Life Ministries was established
- The Hope Ministry was initiated
- Calvary Family AG was started in Medan, Indonesia
1995 - Calvary Family AG was started in Parapat, Indonesia
- Evangelism Team was established
1996 - Established the first Calvary Satellite Church at Bandar Utama, Selangor
- Calvary Church purchased her fifth bungalow at Jalan Damansara Endah, Kuala Lumpur
- Glorious Praise AG was started in Ampang, Kuala Lumpur
- Bethsaida AG was started in Cheras, Selangor
1997 - Established second Calvary Satellite Church at Cheras, Kuala Lumpur
- Calvary Sunshine Home was established
- Calvary Church purchased her sixth bungalow at Jalan Damansara Permai, Kuala Lumpur
- A property at Damansara Perdana, Selangor was purchased to house our offices and various ministries
1998 - A 15-acre property in Sg Pelek was purchased for Calvaryland
- The monthly Bahasa Malaysia Fellowship was initiated
1999 - Homogenous Life Groups were introduced to meet the needs of specific groups, e.g. men, women, singles, senior citizens, office workers, as well as the other language groups.
- The Living Sacrifice Programme was initiated
- Calvary Bandar Sg. Long Assembly was started in Bandar Sg. Long, Kajang
2000 - Established third Calvary Satellite Church at Ampang, Kuala Lumpur
- Calvary Missions purchased a property for Calvary Church Press in OUG, KL
- River of God, in Nairobi, Kenya (started in 1999) has her own building
- Calvary Praise Assembly was started in Puchong, Selangor
2001 - Calvary Church purchased her seventh and eighth bungalows at Jalan Damansara Permai, Kuala Lumpur
- Calvary Church held her first Christmas Worship Service at Putra Stadium, Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur
- Calvary Desa Assembly was started in Taman Desa, Kuala Lumpur
- Calvary Sungai Buloh Assembly was started at Bukit Rahman Putra, Selangor
2002 - The Young Professional LGs were initiated
- Calvary Bandar Baru Selayang was started at Batu Caves, Selangor
- Calvary Praise Assembly Melaka was started in Batu Berendam, Malacca
2003 - Purchased property to build Calvary Convention Centre (CCC) located in Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur
- KidsCAT (Kids Creative Arts Team) was initiated
- Calvary Gombak Assembly was started in Danau Kota, Gombak, Selangor
2004 - Calvary Bukit Bintang Assembly was started in Kuala Lumpur
- Calvary Praise Assembly Sungei Pelek was started in Selangor
2005 - Bahasa Malaysia interpretation initiated at Damansara Perdana Satellite Service
- Calvary Education Resource Centre was established
- Calvary Praise Assembly Bandar Bukit Tinggi was started
2006 - The Youth LGs were initiated
- Calvaryland, Sungei Pelek operations began with homes for children, senior, and women in crisis
- Harvesters Assembly was started in Yei, Sudan
2007 - Approval of CCC Earthwork Plans
- Commencement of CCC Substructure Works
- Approval of CCC building plans
2008 - Calvary Press printed 60,000 evangelistic tracts
2009 - A total of 10,540 attended over the three nights of the Easter Presentations, at Putra Stadium, Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur. 805 people responded to altar call and 447 people responded for salvation and rededication
2011 - Dedication of Cheras Missions House, Kuala Lumpur
- Cornerstone Laying Service at the CCC
- Cumulatively planted 24 churches locally, 5 churches overseas, established the building of more than 21 churches overseas, and sent out 10 missionaries (1973-2011)
2012 - Combined Outreach Camp for 12 Calvary Outreaches
2013 - Certificate of Fitness issued for CCC
- First Easter Presentation in CCC
- Hosted the 23rd Pentecostal World Conference and held the Dedication Service of CCC. A total of 3,465 delegates, including 1,500 foreign delegates from 68 nations attended the conference, which represented the largest gathering of Pentecostals in Malaysia
2014 - Hosted Church Growth International (CGI) Conference at CCC attended by 1,103 delegates from 36 nations
- First Blood Donation Drive in CCC
2015 - First Calvary Carnival was held at CCC
2017 - Myanmar Praise Assembly Pudu was started in Kuala Lumpur
- First Bukit Jalil CCC Run held
2018 - Dialysis Centre NKF (National Kidney Foundation) was launched at Missions House Cheras
- Myanmar Praise Assembly Puchong was initiated in Puchong
- CCC was externally debt free
- One Voice Choir was initiated
2019 - Hosted the Global Christian Forum with leaders representing 22 denominations
2020 - First Sunday Worship Service streamed live online
1980 - Conferred the first honorary Doctorate of Divinity by the Full Gospel Central Bible College of Whittier, California, USA
1984 - Received a second honorary degree- the Doctor of Litterarum from the California Graduate School of Theology, Glendale, California, USA
1999 - Bestowed the “Panglima Jasa Negara” (The Distinguished Order of Meritorious Service, with the title “Datuk”) by His Majesty the King of Malaysia.
2000 - Conferred a third Honorary degree - Doctor of Laws from Northwest College of Kirkland, Washington, USA
2006 - Honoured as General Superintendent Emeritus of the AG of Malaysia
2008 - Cited for leadership skills with Exceptional Leadership Award by The Global Coalitions of Billion Souls Churches
2008 - Bestowed the “Panglima Setia Mahkota” (Commander of the Order of Loyalty to the Crown, with the title “Tan Sri”) by His Majesty the King of Malaysia.
2012 - Received the Distinguished Global Leadership Award by the Evangelical Theological Seminary of Croatia
2016 - Received a Lifetime Achievement Award by General Council of AG Malaysia
Rev Tan Sri Dato Senior Pastor Prince Guneratnam was survived by his wife Petrina Guneratnam, a daughter and a son, and five grand children.
Daughter - Pamela Joy Guneratnam
Son in law - Christopher Lee
Son - Prince Guneratnam Jr (Jim)
Daughter in law - Amelia Lee
Granddaughter - Azalea Joy Lee
Grandson in law - Daniel Nguyen
Grandson - Alexander Christopher Lee, Matthew Christian Lee, and Prince Guneratnam III James
Granddaughter - Jamie Prince Guneratnam
The morning of Saturday, 10 September 2022 was somewhat cloudy, with the warmth of the morning sun penetrating the air. Much like the service that unfolded at 11.30am at Calvary Convention Centre’s auditorium. It was sombre, yet celebratory. The contrast couldn’t have been more stark. As Calvarites and friends of Calvary Church trickled in, the chatter at the foyer was muted, with most of the noise coming from the counter where condolence cards and gift envelopes were made available.
The doors to the auditorium opened at 11.00am and as everyone poured in, the sight on stage was surreal. There, surrounded by towering white floral arrangements, lay the closed casket of our beloved Senior Pastor Prince Guneratnam. How many times have we Calvarites seen him, with a bounce in his step, sprint onto this very stage to reach the pulpit and every time he did this, feverish prayers rapidly reached God’s throne room so that he didn’t miss a step and fall. He never did. The grace and the energy that this man exuded belied his age. He wanted all of us to remember him that way, we were told by Associate Pastor Steven Kum in his welcome remarks. It is so easy to wallow in the grief of his sudden illness and eventual demise, but thank God for the 50 great years He has given us and for the opportunity to celebrate Senior Pastor’s life dedicated to his Lord, his family, the church, and ministries.
Senior Pastor would have approved of and loved his farewell service. It was just the way he would have wanted it: devoid of fanfare and pageantry but intimate, with the gathering of immediate family, church family, and close friends, the people he loved. More importantly, it was for the audience of One, the Lord Jesus Christ, whom Senior Pastor loved the most.
“Only one life; it will soon be past. Only what is done for Christ will last. Celebrating a life very well lived. It is a time of thanksgiving to God for the life of Senior Pastor, who had embraced the knowledge that anything that he did proudly only be of worth if it was done for Christ. And today, we acknowledge he has done exactly that in which manner in which he pastored us and his ministry.” Associate Pastor Steven
Deacon Chow Sang Hoe opened in prayer, giving thanks to God for Senior Pastor’s life as one who lived obedient to God’s Word. “Many of us came to know You, Lord, and accepted You when Senior Pastor planted the seeds of Your Word in our hearts, and this includes me.” Just like Sang Hoe, so many came to know and accepted the Lord through Senior Pastor's ministry. Such was the impact of his ministry here and beyond the shores of Malaysia as the Lord used him to share the Gospel to thousands, and be saved.
The worship team then led the congregation in praising God. They sang one of Senior Pastor’s favourite hymns, Great is Thy Faithfulness. This was followed by an introductory video on Senior Pastor’s international ministry.