Rev. John Ashton Lynn

Reverend John Ashton Lynn, 77, peacefully fell asleep in Christ on September 24, 2021. His wife, Elizabeth, and daughter, Christine, were by his side. He loved and lived life well and was an example of faith, truth and love and a true minister of the gospel of Jesus Christ. He had a five-fold ministry as an Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Pastor and Teacher. Ordained to the ministry in 1971, John had a true servant's heart and gave of himself to everyone within the Body of Christ, as well as missionaries and prisoners and more.

Born and raised in Indianapolis (11/10/43), John attended Shortridge High School, then went on to graduate from Park School for Boys in 1961. After graduation John spent a summer surfing in Hawaii to consider his future options. His humor speaks for itself as he writes:

"Faced with the alternatives of military service, college, work, or starvation, I chose Kenyon College in Gambier, Ohio, and, despite sporadic attendance in class, escaped with a B.A. in Economics in 1965, much to the chagrin of my professors, several of whom burned their PhD diplomas in protest. I did earn nine varsity letters in baseball, basketball, and football at Kenyon, and would have had more but for the fact there was no letter given for throwing water bags off the fraternity roof."

John still holds two baseball records at Kenyon, and after graduating he enlisted in the Army and attended Infantry Officer Candidate School at Fort Benning, GA. Commissioned in a non-Infantry branch he became the Sports Officer for the 82d Airborne Division at Ft. Bragg, NC. He served a two-year tour of duty before his honorable discharge as a First Lieutenant. In retrospect he wrote, "I still wonder why I jumped out of perfectly good airplanes?!"

John loved sports and played football, basketball and baseball. An exceptional athlete, he played full court basketball into his 50s. After his military service, divine connections seemed to answer his dreams of becoming part of the L.A. Dodgers, attending spring training and then working in the front office. Baseball and basketball remained life-long loves, as was comedy. (You can hear one of John's hilarious baseball anecdotes on YouTube: "John Lynn The Baseball Incident".) During his Army service, however, he developed a deep passion for the Lord Jesus Christ and the Word of God, and decided to go into ministry. From 1968-1987, he served as a minister in The Way International and held a number of key leadership positions, including a five-year stint as the CEO at the Way College of Emporia in Kansas. Since then, he has been the point-person in founding two other ministries, Christian Educational Services (now Spirit & Truth Fellowship International) and, as of January, 2010, The Living Truth Fellowship.

John was a diligent multi-tasker and supported himself and his ministry for 15 years by teaching a 12-hour SAT Prep Course to over 3000 high school students throughout Indianapolis. With gratitude in his heart, he jokingly explained:

"Given that I have no skill but talking (and writing), I am forever grateful to God for dropping in my lap such a golden opportunity to do stand-up comedy for captive audiences of deranged 'yutes' while at the same time providing them with the proven strategies to defeat the dreaded SAT test."

As a minister, John authored or co-authored a dozen books, and taught numerous classes and seminars all of which can be found at TLTF.org. He was a bright light and his legacy will continue to touch hearts and change lives for many generations to come. His strongest attribute was his brilliant mind and quick wit, and how he always made us LAUGH! In good times and bad, John looked to his God and Lord, "the dynamic duo," for Godly guidance and lots of grace, and he would want us all to do the same thing until we meet again in Eternity.

John was always upbeat and genuinely optimistic. He had a pure heart and thus thought the best of everyone, and there wasn't anyone he didn't like. He would always ask, "What may I do for you?" He'd tell people his phone was "sutured to his side," meaning he would answer the call no matter what. Pre-internet, he was famous for the 1000s of postcards he sent, staying in touch with as many people as possible. He was a fervent editor/grammarian, including typos in menus and billboards, and was an impeccable dresser, noticing how much sleeve was showing from the cuff or how well a tie was knotted.

A man of velvet and steel, John was a diligent prayer warrior and a servant leader. He was a lover of the Word, which he taught online every month on a live WebEx to 80+ homes, even up to two weeks before his death. John never worried about money but trusted God in this area. He'd say, "You don't need money until you need it and then God provides."

John was preceded in death by his father John Spann Lynn, mother Jane Shideler Lynn, brother Charles Jackson Lynn II, and brother-in-law, fellow Kenyon College graduate, Ken Klug. John is survived by many who were blessed to have loved him, including: his beloved wife Elizabeth, daughter Christine (Billy) Norton, sister Judi Lynn Klug, grandchildren Mahalia, Will and Wendell Jane Norton, niece Abigail (Brian) Trebels, nephews Charles Jackson Lynn III, Corban (Marcy) Klug and Andrew (Brianna) Klug, plus Pat B. Lynn, Cheri (Rollie) Dick, cousins, dear friends, and a multitude of believers worldwide who came to know the Lord from John's infectious laugh, quick wit, amazing ability to bring the Word to life and unflagging love of God Almighty and the Lord Jesus Christ.

We are so grateful to know the Hope of Christ's appearing when we will laugh and worship with him again when we are Together Forever Perfectly in the Life to come! (Revelation 21:4)

A celebration of John's life will be held in Indianapolis and online via Zoom and will be announced on Facebook, www.indianafuneralcare.com and www.caringbridge.com. Please send your JALvis stories via email to his sister judiklug@att.net for our family book.

John's giving heart was magnanimous. In lieu of flowers, if you would like to give in his memory, please support his wife at www.GoFundMe.com (search for "Prayers and Funds for John Lynn") or use the above email for other options.

We who have been blessed to be part of John's family thank you and ask the Lord Jesus to bless you for your prayers, donations and love. We so appreciate it all. See you at the Bema!