Merry Christmas from Justapreacher Ministries and the Johnson Family!

It has been some time since we have given you an update on the ministry and the family, so here it is! I'll attempt to keep it brief!
Since our last newsletter, God has given Jim many opportunities to preach the Word. He has been able to share with men’s groups, elders, deacons, and pastor search committees. God has given him the chance to teach the Bible in many different venues, from homeless shelters to our own weeknight Bible studies. God has allowed him to preach at memorial services, baptisms, and about sixteen different church services. God gave him the exciting opportunity to participate in a friend’s ordination, and also allowed him to encourage the staff of a para-church organization. He’s preached across Brevard and Florida, as well as in Virginia, Ohio and Michigan.

Right in the middle of all this activity, Jim was hospitalized with Pulmonary Embolism. He had taken six flights in about twelve days, which we believe contributed to the problem. Through a blood test, we discovered that Jim has a genetic predisposition to clotting, so he will now be on blood thinners the rest of his life. We are so thankful for how quickly the Lord drew our attention to the problem and then healed Jim! In fact, just nine days after getting out of the hospital, Jim and I were on the road again!

Next August, Jim will be preaching at the Alton Bay Christian Conference Center in Alton Bay, NH for the whole month of August. If you are interested in joining us there for a Christian and family retreat, please contact the Alton Bay Christian Conference Center to inquire about renting an RV site, cabin, or hotel room. If their accommodations are filled, please contact me at [email protected].

While in Ohio, we had the chance to visit beautiful Hocking Hills State Park.

Our kids are all young adults! Nicole is doing an amazing job loving and helping children as a Speech Language Pathologist. Elise is a very talented and helpful Alterations Specialist at David’s Bridal. AJ is in his second, and second-to-last, year at UCF, and is earning all A’s. In August, AJ moved to a house near campus, and just two weeks ago, our daughters, Nicole and Elise, moved into their own apartment. So, we are officially “empty nesters!” (Until AJ gets home from college next week, anyway.)

Please pray for God to work out the details so we will be able to offer another Bible Cruise next November. We will send out the specifics as soon as we know what they are!

A Note from Jim

At the end of every year we cannot help but say “THANK YOU!” to all of you who have supported this ministry with prayer and resources. Once again, we praise God for how He has richly blessed us by meeting all of our needs as He promised He would. Philippians 4:18-19 says, “ I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God. And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”
Your support through prayer and gifts has made it possible for us to continue to give away all of our preaching/teaching resources free of charge to anyone who wants them. We even pay the postage. We also have been able to go to churches to preach and teach God’s Word in situations where the congregations felt they weren’t able to cover our travel expenses, and we never charge a speaking fee.
I share all this with you for a reason. A few years ago, I was reading in Matthew 10 where Jesus first sent out His disciples to preach the good news of the kingdom. In His instructions to them, Jesus said that since they had freely received, they were to give freely. I was convicted. I felt that God was challenging me to trust Him for our financial resources and never to charge anyone for hearing the Word of God. We stopped selling my books and instead gave them away. We did not make CD’s or DVD’s available to people only if they would “make a donation of any kind.”

We will gladly send copies to anyone who asks. We decided to stop giving off the impression that God’s Word was only for those who could afford it. God was telling us to trust Him to provide for this ministry in every aspect, and He has blessed us greatly since.

That is why we want to take this opportunity to thank you for how you have been used by God to bless Justapreacher Ministries this year through your prayers and your giving. We do not take lightly those of you who pray for us. Prayer guides the preaching of God’s Word with His Spirit and His power. When we pray for God to provide, He mobilizes His givers to meet needs. Both parts of the body are important: the prayer warriors and the givers. Some believers are even gifted by God to do both.

     At the end of the year we have to give an account to the government of all that has come in, and as we do, we cannot help but praise God for how He has blessed us this year through your gifts. Thank you!! But the United States Government is not the only one keeping records. God is too! And He will richly reward all of you for your part in everything God is doing through this ministry. (Philippians 4:19)
     We love you all, and pray you have a God-Centered and worshipful Christmas!! (It can be merry, too.)

In Christ’s Overwhelming Love,

Jim