Pastor James Chacko was born and raised in a devout Christian family, where his parents instilled in him the values of faith, prayer, and commitment to God. From a young age, Pastor Chacko felt a strong calling to serve the Lord, and this sense of purpose guided his path throughout his life. His early education and professional life took him to Meghalaya, in North East India, where God began to unfold a new chapter in his spiritual journey. In 1990, Pastor Chacko moved to Meghalaya as part of his Central Government assignment. During his time there, the Holy Spirit ignited a deep passion in him for prayer and Bible study, which transformed his personal life and opened doors to ministry. After work, he dedicated himself to reading Christian literature, including biographies of missionaries and martyrs, which inspired him to share the Gospel with his colleagues. This led to many of his co-workers coming to know Jesus.
As Pastor Chacko’s ministry grew, he founded the “Christian Prayer Group Shillong,” an interdenominational prayer group that quickly gained momentum. Hundreds of people from various walks of life, both great and small, attended the prayer meetings and experienced God’s blessings. The prayer group soon gave rise to several prayer cells across the city, and Pastor Chacko expanded his outreach with a mobile Christian library, bringing Christian literature to those hungry for the Word of God.
The ministry further expanded with the establishment of the “Christian Books and Counselling Centre” in the heart of Shillong. Here, people could find Christian books and resources to aid their spiritual growth. Around this time, Pastor Chacko experienced a divine encounter that led him to take water baptism. Shortly after, he began to preach about the importance of baptism, and many people from different walks of life came to know the Lord and were baptized.
In 1998, as Pastor Chacko preached during a Sunday meeting, the power of the Holy Spirit moved mightily, marking another pivotal moment in his ministry. Many people, including those from strong denominational and religious backgrounds, accepted Jesus as their personal Saviour and were baptized. Despite facing numerous challenges, including opposition from his workplace and the local community, Pastor Chacko continued to share the message of Jesus boldly.
Following a clear call from God, Pastor Chacko resigned from his government job without any pensionary benefit in December 2000 to fully dedicate himself to spreading the Gospel in the North East and along the Indo-Bangladesh border. His decision was driven by a deep commitment to share the Pentecostal fire with the unreached. Through his ministry, many people from various tribal groups and cultural backgrounds came to know the Lord, and the work of the Holy Spirit continued to grow.
In 1998, the late Honourable Pastor T.S. Abraham recognized Pastor Chacko’s ministry and associated his work with the Indian Pentecostal Church (IPC). The following year, Pastor Chacko was ordained and the IPC General Council officially approved the formation of IPC Meghalaya, with Pastor Chacko as the President. Under his leadership, the IPC movement in the state grew, and he currently serves as the President of IPC Meghalaya and Assam.
Pastor Chacko’s ministry extends beyond the church walls. Over the years, he has been actively involved in various evangelistic efforts and community initiatives, such as serving as the Secretary for Gideon’s International Ministry and working with Campus Crusade for Christ, Operation Mobilization, Indian Institute of Christian Management, and YMCA. His passion for spreading the Gospel also led him to start a Bible school in Guwahati, Assam, where he trained numerous students for ministry. Pastor Chacko has been involved in prison ministry, where he witnessed the transformation of many lives, including imprisoned terrorists who accepted Christ. He also organized medical and health awareness camps to combat endemic diseases, started free schools in remote villages, and distributed Bibles and Christian literature through partnerships with organizations like Gideon’s International and the Bible Society of India.
In 2013, Pastor Chacko was chosen as the first person from the Pentecostal community in India to be selected and sent as a ‘delegated observer’ to the 10th Assembly of the World Christian Council in South Korea. This esteemed role allowed him to represent the Indian Pentecostal Church (IPC) community on a global platform, fostering unity and collaboration among diverse Christian leaders worldwide. Additionally, Pastor Chacko has served on various boards such as the Election Commission, Peace and Justice, Charity Board, Mission Boards, and others. Through these leadership roles, he has contributed to the governance and ethical direction of Christian organizations, ensuring the church remains a transformative force for positive change globally.
Despite the challenges posed by the region’s mountainous terrain and cultural barriers, Pastor Chacko has been instrumental in planting churches in some of the most unreached areas of Meghalaya and Assam. His dedication to the Great Commission has resulted in the establishment of numerous churches, the training and support of pastors, and the empowerment of believers.
Today, Pastor Chacko oversees the activities of the IPC Meghalaya State. By God’s grace, the ministry continues to grow, with new believers being baptized and church plants expanding into new areas. Pastor Chacko remains deeply committed to the mission of spreading the Gospel and uplifting the downtrodden in these challenging regions.
Pastor Chacko currently serves as the Senior Pastor of Hebron Pentecostal Assembly in Sheffield, UK. Under his leadership, the church has experienced tremendous growth and now operates two campuses. The main campus in Sheffield/Rotherham hosts morning worship services, while a second campus in Grantham offers evening Sunday services. Pastor Chacko’s vision and dedication have seen the congregation expand, and many lives have been touched through the vibrant ministry that God has entrusted to him.
Beyond his local ministry, Pastor Chacko has been a sought-after guest speaker for meetings across different countries. His teachings and messages have resonated with diverse congregations around the world, and God continues to use him mightily to touch lives and inspire faith wherever he goes.
Pastor Chacko is blessed with a wonderful family who supports him in his ministry. His wife, Dr. Shobha James, serves as a consultant doctor in the NHS, and together they have raised three children, all walking in the ways of the Lord. Their daughters, Abigail and Deborah, are both currently attending medical school, while their son, Daniel, is pursuing his A-levels. Pastor Chacko is also currently pursuing his Doctorate in Ministry. The family is deeply committed to serving the Lord, and each one contributes to the ministry in their own way. Pastor Chacko and his family remain passionate about sharing the love of Christ and fulfilling the vision God has placed in their hearts.
