www.GAJohnson.org | Hebrews Twelve Two

following christ - there's nothing like it!

Becky and I have had a great week of following Christ.

• Sunday - Talked about Grace, Mercy and Praise at the www.LovingGodFellowship.org Salem Campus.  Listen or download by clicking here.
• Monday - Ministered to over a 100 homeless people downtown in our city.  Oregon, California and Washington have the highest homeless rates in America.  They are considered among the lepers of our day.  We love ministering  to them at their point of need, touching them, singing and praying with them.  They love to sing Victory in Jesus and ask us to sing it with them every time we are with them.  Right before they were fed for the night, I talked to them about Jesus and encouraged them to keep their eyes fixed on Him.  Jesus was there among us.  He ministered to the lepers of his day.  And he knows what it feels like to be homeless.  The last three years of His life, he had no where to lay His head.
• Tuesday - Met with young Latino men in our city.  I shared with them Psalm 119:9-16 and how we can stay out of trouble by knowing and obeying God's Word.   We have been trying to instill within them a hunger for God's Word for months.  I was thrilled as one of them was able to quote from memory my two favorite verses:  (Hebrews 12:2 NIV)  "Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."  (1 Peter 2:21 NIV)  "To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps."
• Wednesday - Talked about how Jesus as our example, touched the socially undesirables of His day at their point of need, met their needs and refueled for more powerful point of need ministry at the www.LovingGodFellowship.org Salem Campus.  Listen or download by clicking here.

gaj

missions portfolio

I'm excited to add the following two organizations to the LGF Missions Portfolio:

• Compassion International, a Christian child advocacy ministry that releases children from spiritual, economic, social and physical poverty and enables them to become responsible, fulfilled Christian adults.
• Elizabeth Bowers Zambia Education Fund, providing education to girls from the Lumwana West area in NW Zambia

Both of these proven organizations are making a difference in our day and supporting them is what LGF is all about!

gaj

janie cavazos - lgf minister of the month

On Sunday, Becky and I recognized Janie Cavazos as the LGF minister of the month at the Loving God Fellowship (LGF) Salem  Campus.

Janie is one of our team leaders that goes into the Cavazos Center for Latino Youth and Families to conduct a weekly Bible study on Tuesdays.  The Cavazos Center is named after Janie's husband and our brother, the late Cat Cavazos.  Cat started the Street Vision gang intervention program here in our city and now it is named after him and is run by Catholic Community Services.

In recognition of Janie being what LGF is all about and fulfilling the LGF Ministry Model, we presented Janie with a yellow LGF messanger bag.  Afterword, she told us that yellow was Cat's favorite color.  

Join us in congratulating Janie for ministry well done!

gaj

when not to be silent

Silence can be golden and there are times when we should keep our mouths shut.  But there are times when we should not only speak with our words, but also with our actions.  And speak loudly with both!

I swore never to be silent whenever and wherever human beings endure suffering and humiliation. We must always take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented. ~ Elie Wiesel

Use your words and actions to make a difference.  That's why we are placed and left on this earth.  Let your words and your actions speak loudly against the social injustices of our day.  Jesus did in His day.  As Christ followers, we are to continue His ministry in our day.

(Proverbs 31:8-9 NIV)  ""Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. {9} Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.""

What an exciting journey we are on!  I just love following Christ from earth to glory.  It's going to be a spectacular finish!

In what ways are you using your words and actions to make a difference in our day?

gaj

What would Christ be doing in our cities?

Sad to say, there are a lot of churches in America have neglected following Christ in missional ministry.  Some cities have churches on every corner with homeless sleeping in their lots, drug addicts using on their steps and gangs fighting over their turf.  They have church and will minister to those that come in to their service.  They may even sell them a book, cup of coffee and a ticket to their latest event, but who are they touching during the week?

What did Christ do?  He attended church on the Sabbath "as his custom was", but He ministered daily at the point of need.  Most of the people He touched daily would not be welcome in the church.  He hung out with sinners and debated with the religionist of His day.  His friends were the sinners and the religionists nailed Him to the cross.

So what are we as Christ followers to do?  (1 Peter 2:21 NIV)  "To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps."

I’m going to have church @ http://www.LovingGodFellowship.org , but the rest of the time, I’m going to follow Christ in point of need ministry.  I feel closer to Christ when I’m ministering to the drug addict, the homeless, the incarcerated and the gang member wanting freedom. 

Last night, I picked up a homie that is fresh out of jail and living in a transitional house and took him for a big mac.  We talked, ate and prayed together.  Jesus was with us.  I could sense His precious presence.  This man can’t come to our church because it would be a parole violation.  He doesn’t have to come to our church though.  I know where he lives.

gaj

in jail

Becky and I were in jail tonight.  From 7:30 PM until 10 PM we followed Christ in point of need ministry at the Marion county jail.  We met with the women first and then the men.  We had a powerful time together in worship, prayer and God's Word.  I preached and encouraged them to get rid of all distractions, keep their eyes fixed on Jesus and follow Him.

Our county has more jails and prisons than any other county in America.  When laws were passed in Oregon, it was decided to build all prisons and mental hospitals here in the capitol of Salem, Oregon.  People move here from all over to be close to those they love that incarcerated.  Prison ministry is a vital part of the LGF missions portfolio as we are determined to make a difference in our day and follow Jesus in point of need ministry. 

What a mission field this is and we are right where God wants us!

gaj

ministering to gangs

Tonight, Becky and I met with Latino young men in our city that need to leave the gangs.  I once again reminded them that following Jesus was a sign of strength and not weakness.  I also encouraged them to get rid of any distractions in their life that would keep them from following Jesus.  We looked at I Samuel 15 together and how Saul had all the right tools to be successful, but he allowed distractions to get in his way.  One of his big distractions was pride.  God detests pride and pride will always cause us to disobey God's Word and fall.  To succeed, we must humble ourselves and follow Jesus.  I continue to encourage them to memorize Hebrews 12:2 and 1 Peter 2:21.  Reuben was able to quote 75% of Hebrews 12:2 for us.  I love following Jesus in point of need ministry!

Please pray for these young men.  Also please pray for me and Becky as we continue to try to impact our city and our world with point of need ministry.  We are insurgents behind enemy lines and the devil is not happy with what we are doing.  He would rather that we just have church.  Following Jesus in point of need ministry makes the devil nervous.

We will continue to minister to the homeless, to those incarcerated, to the gangs, and to those coming out of incarceration in our city.  We will also continue to minister to the poor and suffering around the world.

We need prayer coverage.  Please help us through your prayers and click here to sign up as one of our prayer partners where you will be updated occasionally by email on our specific prayer needs.

We are always thankful for the help God brings us through praying people.

gaj

back home again

I made it home today from the 2008 American Heart Association Heart Walk in Huntington, West Virginia, where I opened in prayer and walked in tribute to my dad and my friend Cat Cavazos.  The AHA estimated 450 participants this year.  I love hanging around people that are using their life to make a difference for others.

While back east I got to spend some time with my mom and dad and also got to see my sister and her family again, including my new great nephew Bryce Carter.

It's always hard to get on the plane and travel 2,500 miles away from mom and dad and head back to Oregon.  Sometimes all you have to hold on to is the call of God.

I'm back home again and will be working hard at making a difference in our city.  It will be a busy week including a meeting with the director of Habitat for Humanity, a meeting with the director of the Silver Center, and another Bible study at the Theophilus House along with our service at the LGF Salem Campus.  These are all ministries included in the LGF Missions Portfolio.   

gaj

Hillary Clinton and me

Senator Hillary Clinton has raised $10,000,000 (that is 10 million dollars!) in the last 24 hours for her campaign to try and get her elected to be President of the United States.  All by the Internet and small donations from 60,000 new donors she claims.  I've raised $2,095 in the last six months for critical research to save lives from heart disease.  I've tried to raise the money for the American Heart Association through bringing awareness and by running 5 races including 3 marathons in 9 weeks.  Let me see... $10,000,000 to try get someone elected...  $2,095 to save lives from the number one killer...  What's up with that? 

I would rather use my time, talent and treasure saving lives!

Click Here to Donate

Just a thought....

gaj

going to save many lives from number one killer

I'm flying 2500 miles from Portland, Oregon, to Huntington, West Virginia, today to participated in the American Heart Association (AHA) Heart Walk on April 26, 2008. West Virginia leads the nation in heart disease and I want to make a difference in that statistic.  I've been running races since October 2007, including 3 marathons in 9 weeks, trying to raise $10,000 for critical research to help fight the number one killer - heart disease. Click here to watch a short news clip on my running to help others.

Follow our fund raising progress for critical research all this week on the AHA Heart Walk website. <----Click here.  They posted a picture there on their website of my family that met me at the finish line when I finished the 2007 Marshall University Marathon in November.  It was my 2nd marathon in 4 weeks.

I will not be blogging while I'm gone, but will be updating via twitter and you can follow me at www.twitter.com/PastorGreg . Twitter will also keep you up to date of my doings at the bottom of this post and on facebook or myspace.

What I am doing....

Know that you are loved,

gaj