John "Pablo" Scarbrough

John “Pablo” Scarbrough has been welcomed into heaven with the words ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. Enter into the joy of your master.” After a prolonged battle with cancer, John was able to spend his final days in the presence of family and friends, until he passed peacefully on March 16.

John was born in Dallas, TX. Raised in a Christian home, he witnessed many miracles and signs of God’s faithfulness throughout his childhood. However, it wasn’t until college that his faith became the true center of his life. “If you choose to follow me,” he heard the Lord say, “I will give you something greater than you could ever imagine.”

That pursuit of “something greater” began in 1996 when John joined Youth With A Mission (YWAM). After completing his initial missionary training, he joined the pioneer leadership team of YWAM Minneapolis. It was here that he met and married his wife, Rebeca, in 2003. It was also here that he served in vital roles over the course of three decades. John was the facilities manager on YWAM’s 240-acre campus, he led multiple missionary outreaches, and he trained countless people in the art of servanthood.

In 2021 John and his family relocated to Yucatan, Mexico, bringing to fruition John’s lifelong dream of living in Latin America. Building a home in Rebeca’s native village of Tedzidz, John and Rebeca provided leadership for a thriving congregation and established a YWAM presence in the region. This work will continue to go forward.

John’s wife, Rebeca; their children Ethan (21), Benjamin (20) and Isabella (12); John’s parents Lamont and Joyce; his siblings Mark and Rebecca; and a community of friends and family around the world all share in this moment of grief. His children remember him as a fun, engaged father. His YWAM colleagues remember him making Maple syrup and, of course, fixing things -- everything, everywhere. We all remember his tenderness for the broken-hearted and the outcast. We remember his love for Mexican food. And most of all we remember his passion to serve Jesus by serving others.

He was a faithful husband, a loving father, a dear son and brother, and the most loyal friend a person could ever hope to find. He will be deeply missed.

memorial service

John Scarbrough Celebration of Life, March 28

Riverwood Covenant Church 7189 69th Ave N, Rockford, MN 55373, USA

The Visitation is at 9:30 am, followed by a service at 10:30 am, which will be livestreamed on the church Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/RiverwoodCovenantChurch/

or

https://www.youtube.com/@RiverwoodCovenantChurch