Consecrated as the Bishop in the CSI South Kerala Diocese on September 16, 1997, Most Rev. Dr. J.W. Gladstone, with his unusual capability for untiring hard work, intellectual acumen, spirit of sacrificial service, administrative skill and a score of other extraordinary qualities has by now taken the Diocese far forward into the realms of spiritual, social, educational and material advancement. The Diocese would not have enjoyed these achievements but for his daring and dedicated leadership that has won him the reverence and admiration of the people
of his own diocese, other dioceses of the Church of South India, all other Christian denominations as well as of the non-Christian public. He is very often invited to play important roles in almost all the public issues where impartial initiative, mature mediation and Christian counseling are required. He knows that a person in the administrative seat should have the maturity, resolve and determination and at the same time to be loving, impartial and kind while handling delicate situations.

The pastoral proficiency and allied virtues we find in him have been inherited from his father, the Late Rev. J. Wilson, well known for his selfless services in this diocese.
 

Most Rev. Dr. J.W.Gladstone was born on the Christmas day in 1945. After securing a Post- Graduate degree in Economics, he joined the Serampore Theological College from where he took his Bachelor of Divinity ( B.D.) and Master of Theology (M.Th.) degrees.He was ordained on July 20th 1975. He secured his Doctorate in Theology from the University of Hamburg, Germany.

Having secured high Theological Degrees with distinction, Rev. Dr.Gladstone was the natural choice for the Vice-Chairmanship of the Diocese, an office he held for 6 years. During this period he had served as Bishop's Commissary on a few occasions. For 9 years he was the Manager of the Christian College, Kattakada, an Arts and Science College with postgraduate courses. It was under his management the College could achieve several Physical and academic developments. His long tenure of service that lasted for more than two decades on the faculty of the United Theological College, Kannammoola, Trivandrum, from 1975, of which 6 years (1991 to 1997) as Principal, the College witnessed spectacular development. Almost all the infrastructure facilities we see in the campus of the Seminary today are the outcome of the unremitting efforts of this Master-builder.
 

His relationship with the Synod of the CSI is long and diverse. He started as an elected representative to the Synod from the Diocese in early 1970s. This representation repeated several times during which he had been Member of the Synod Executive Committee, Synod Working Committee and Convener of the Synod Theological Commission.

He holds several important offices in various Church and Inter-church bodies. He is the President of the Senate of Serampore. He is associated with the activities of various Ecumenical Bodies of the Anglican Church Communion, the Faith and Order Commission of the WCC, to mention a few.

He serves in several secular bodies of the State and Central Governments on their request. He is the Chairman of the Society for the Integrated Development of Rural People and Marginalised Women, Member of the Anthropological Survey of India, Member of the District Literacy Committee of the Government of Kerala; Member of the Peace Team organised by the Government of Kerala during communal riots; Member of the Advisory Board of the Christian Study Centre of the University of Kerala, etc.
 

Bishop Gladstone has by now earned the reputation as an authority in Church History. He has published more than 200 articles on Theological, Biblical and Social subjects, both in Malayalam and English. He was called upon to contribute sections and chapters in different reference books published by leading publishers. But the most valuable contribution to his credit in this field is the publication of 12 books in Malayalam and English on various subjects in Theology, Church History, Bible, Biography and the Social History of the people of his Diocese.
 

Bishop Gladstone has traveled all over the world to participate in international conferences to which he had been invited either to present papers or to participate as a distinguished member. He has visited almost all European Countries, the United States and most of the Third World Countries.

He had been made the Moderator's Commissary in the North Kerala Diocese and in the newly formed Thoothukkudi – Nazareth Diocese of the CSI. He is by now a renowned trouble-shooter appreciated and accepted by all.
 

Bishop Gladstone inspires his people to think big, aim very high and he will always be there in the forefront. He has an inherent ability to judge people and to win the moral and personal support of all in whom he recognizes qualities useful for the accomplishment of great projects of his dreams. This confidence in his people, the courage to take risks, desire to keep all his people together at any cost and the vision he dearly cherishes for the future of his Diocese have given him the strength to embark upon a project of establishing a Medical College in his Diocese which has the distinction of being the very first and the only one of its kind in the whole of the Church of South India. It became possible with the power and courage he had drawn from God Almighty. He knows how to be firm and undaunted in the face of any challenge.

Most Rev.Dr.J.W.Gladstone was elected as the Moderator of the Church of South India at the 31st Synod held at Vizagpatnam in January 2008, 10 years after he had served the CSI as the Bishop of South Kerala Diocese. During this golden decade he could carry the diocese far ahead of most of the other dioceses of the CSI in all the aspects of its growth.. The number of Church Districts increased from forty to sixty consequent to the increase in the number of congregations in the diocese to 655. The diocese is now blessed with the ministry of more than 350 ordained ministers, the majority being young, efficient and highly qualified pastors drawn to the ministry by the undisputed ministerial policy of the Bishop.

As a Bishop, Most Rev. Dr. J.W.Gladstone is adored for his intelligent policy of peace and reconciliation he has followed invariably in all matters inside and outside the diocese where his intervention had become necessary. This has immensely helped to bring about an atmosphere of welcome peace and order over the whole diocese. There were occasions when the principles of the South Kerala Diocese were challenged in matters regarding the admission policy to be followed in self financing Medical Colleges. The South Kerala Diocese which runs such a Medical College could assume, under the careful strategy of the Bishop an independent policy without hurting anybody, particularly the State Government, safeguarding the institution and the interest and future of the students studying in it.

His voice has been clear and strong when it came to the necessity for protesting against the persecution of Christians and Christian Missionaries in Orissa. He made the diocese take independent initiatives and to join hands with all other Christian denominations in protest rallies and all the relief activities. He has become a public figure very much sought after by all engaged in social and charitable activities.

Bishop Most Rev.Dr.J.W.Gladstone, now consecrated Moderator of the Church of South India is a gift of God to the South Kerala Diocese and in a wider sense, to the Church of South India.
 

"The Greatest Christmas gift"