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1922– 2006
His Life
Reverend George M. Kuttab was a unique human being.
He was born on April 23, 1922 in Jerusalem, Palestine. He was the youngest of three children. Qustandi and Huda. He is survived by his sister Huda who lives in Kansas. He got married to Frocina Ibrahim Nesheiwat from Jordan on September 7, 1951. They resided in Wyncote Pennsylvania and in 2001 celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. Together they have seven children and 24 grandchildren. They can all attest to his love for them.
Jonathan & Beth, Yasmine, and Saji living in Amman, Jordan Daoud & Salam, Tamara, Bishara, Tania, and Dina living in Amman, Jordan Lydia & Brice (Brenneman), Jonathan, Jameel, and Joseph living in St. Marys, Ohio Samuel & Jehan, Yasar, Ahlam, Areej, Sana, Frocina, and Dunia living in Wyncote, Pennsylvania Phoebe & Roch (Wurst), Sylvia Nesheiwat, Amanda, Angela, and James living in Elkins Park, Pennsylvania Grace & Khader (El-Yateem) Rowan, Janette, Naim, and Isabelle living in Brooklyn, New York Daniel & Rania, and George living in Brooklyn, New York
Within a few minutes with George one would realize how much he loves to tell stories. He can tell you stories about how God sustained him and his family through World War II or the Six Day War; his travels to the US in 1962; or his family’s immigration to the United States of America in December of 1969. He is an awesome story teller entrancing listeners of all ages. His contagious energy and enthusiasm went with him everywhere. As a Father and Grandfather, he loved kids, games and activities, from swimming or backgammon to playing cards with his wife.
As a minister George has served the Lord in various denominations. He didn’t let denominational divisions limit his ministry. He began his career in ministry as Pastor of the Nazareth Church in Zarka, Jordan in 1948. In 1953 he and his wife move to Palestine where he was pastor of the Church of God both in Jerusalem and Bethlehem. After his time with the Church of God he came to the United States and worked a variety of jobs to support his family, but he never lost his calling to preach the Word. He would preach to anyone willing to hear. In 1981 he returned to Palestine to teach at Hope Secondary School as well as Bethlehem Bible College. Soon he was asked to serve with the Nazarene Church both in Jerusalem translating for a missionary and in remote villages doing church planting. In 1988 George & Frocina returned to the United States and moved to Pennsylvania. In Pennsylvania he worked in West Chester and then States and where asked to serve with the Lima Mennonite Church, in Ohio. George served there until he started Salam Mennonite Church as an Arabic Home Church in Wyncote. As time passed George kept his speaking engagements in numerous churches including Salam Arabic Lutheran Church in Brooklyn, Ambler Mennonite Church, & both Chinese Mennonite Churches in Philly. He enjoyed going to the Pastors Prayer breakfasts, Promise Keepers conferences, Saturday morning men’s Bible study at Calvary, Small Groups meetings at different churches, as well as prison ministries. George never got tired of sharing about His Lord and Savior and would share it with everyone he met. One of his passions was traveling and sharing his love of nature with others. He enjoyed taking everyone to ‘Sight and Sound’ or Longwood Gardens to see the flowers. He loved to show off his garden by treating people to his home grown vegetables. He took groups of pilgrims to the Holy Land and was a great tour guide, walking fast and sharing like a “Walking Encyclopedia.”
The translation of the family name “KUTTAB” means “Writers”. George has written his autobiography as well as a booklet on the names of the Bible and their meanings. He has translated various religious books to Arabic and was working on a 360 day devotional calendar in both Arabic and English.
Most of all, George loved God. He lived his life consumed with a passion to serve his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ and to spread the Good News of the Gospel.
Highlights of how his family will remember him
“May his memory be eternal!”
His Ministry- “Testify to the Love of God to ALL you meet, and with every breath you take”. Dad would spread the Good News of God’s salvation to everyone he met no matter what the circumstance. He never passed up an opportunity to witness. He shared his faith with others soon after meeting them.
His Education- “Do whatever you want in life but first get an education”. Many in Palestine remember him as a teacher and educator. He encouraged all his children to have a strong education. He taught his children how to read and write in their native language Arabic and continued to teach the grandchildren Arabic lessons.
His love of Jerusalem Palestine “I am a Palestinian Christian.” Dad was a true patriot. He followed the news, spoke out against the injustice to Palestinians. He was also an Arab nationalist even in the states, he made sure that his children and grandchildren appreciate Arab culture and language. He was telling those he met in America about Palestinian Christians.
His Diligence- “It is better to be an Hour early than Five minutes late”. If you asked him to do something he would not rest until it was done. He would start nagging hours before it was necessary, but if you needed to make sure something would get mailed or you would be on time he was the best person to entrust with the task. If you don’t believe me ask Daoud, who was rushed out of his own wedding to catch the cruise ship for his honeymoon.
His Patience- “No-One is perfect” When asked at his 50th wedding anniversary what the secret in a marriage is, he said “patience……”
His Driving- “God has it under control. Don’t worry about it. What red light?” We believe in Angels because as we prayed for safety, God’s Angels were working overtime to protect us on the road with Dad’s driving.
His Energy “YALLA” Dad never walked, he always ran. He hated laziness. He would volunteer, read, write, plan for tours in Palestine even till his last moment. He often left many who are half his age struggling to keep up with his pace.
His Directness: Diplomacy was not his strong suit. He has no capacity for hypocrisy or even tact. He spoke his mind without hesitation, come what may. He had clarity of faith and story conviction of beliefs.
His love for children:
Jesus said “let the children come to me for to such as these is the kingdom of God” George loved children and was often child like in his own simplicity and honesty. His Sunday school ministries in Biet Sahour and other villages in Palestine often numbered over a hundred per class.
His legacy:
In Arabic there is a proverb, “il khallaf ma mat” George left behind seven children who are pleased and proud to carry on his spirit and faith in their families and to pass them on to yet another generation.
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