A Faithful Servant: Honoring the Legacy of Ross Briles

Ross Briles at his last visit with the Abraham family.

Praise God for the ways in which He uses the trials of our lives to awaken us to His power and love, moving us to serve Him and to influence and transform the lives of others.

Ross Briles, pastor for 62 years of Sherwood Baptist Church, Modesto, CA, and his wife, Marie, were close friends of IGO President Valson Abraham and his family going back to 1977. Ross Briles knew Valson Abraham’s parents as early as 1952. From the beginning of IGO in 1984, the Briles family became close friends and supporters of IGO’s ministry.

In pre-IGO days, between 1980-1983, Ross Briles invited Valson Abraham to minister two weekends every month at his Modesto church. The Lord blessed with several families touched and changed by the Spirit of God.

Several times, he traveled with Valson Abraham in India for ministry. He introduced and taught deaf education at India Bible College and Seminary—a ministry of deep importance to him that has great significance for a group of people long ignored and discriminated against in India. For some time, he and Marie sponsored four students for ministry to the deaf who later became evangelists to deaf people in different parts of India.

For decades, Ross and Marie supported the ministry of India Gospel Outreach in many ways. Most recently, they contributed in generous measure for the women’s dormitory expansion, now under construction, due for completion in
April 2025.

Ross was a man who deeply appreciated his roots, never forgot his friends, and mentored several young and promising ministers. He always displayed a positive, can-do attitude and had a great sense of humor.

Ross’s long ministry in the same church, in the same city for 62 long years gave him great knowledge of the people, with huge credibility and influence among many kinds of people and situations over many decades. Only heaven will reveal it all. He became salt and light, not only in Modesto but in other places as well, at home and abroad.

In short, Ross Briles was a compassionate, ready and faithful servant of his Friend and Lord Jesus. He entered into the joy of his Lord on October 10, 2024 at 85 years old, preceded by his wife of 63 years, Marie. He leaves their two daughters, five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints” (Psalm 116:15). Calvary Chapel of Modesto, CA, has given a generous gift in his memory.

Pray God’s provision for each IGO student and evangelist.

Pray about your own involvement in their lives and ministries.