Their Ministry Focus

In January 2020, John and Gwen Johnson were appointed Global Strategy regional coordinators for Africa, succeeding Mike and Heather Webb, who have moved into the roles of executive directors for Children of Promise. John and Gwen understand their role as facilitating healthy spaces for the Church of God in Africa to thrive. To that end, they travel throughout the region, working in collaboration with national leaders to develop regional ministry strategies and country-specific strategies, cultivating relationships within the Church of God across Africa, connecting the church across the region. They also oversee projects and missionaries in the region, providing pastoral care and supervision.

Their Story

John and Gwen Johnson have been involved in cross-cultural ministry and missions with the Church of God since 1980 when they first served with the Missionary Board of the Church of God. Since then, they have lived in Korea, Egypt, Lebanon, on the island of Guam, and Vietnam. Most recently John has coordinated Native American Ministries and Disaster Relief for Global Strategy.

While in Korea, Egypt, and Lebanon, they served as cross-cultural disciple-makers with a concentration in leadership formation with the Church of God. While on Guam, they served as the Global Missions regional coordinators for Asia and the Pacific. From 2006 until 2014, John took a break from cross-cultural ministry to inflict his quick wit and puns on students at Warner Pacific University, in Portland, Oregon, where he was a professor of ministry and missions. While at Warner Pacific, the Johnsons introduced students to ministry and culture in eight countries on five continents. After departing Warner Pacific University, John and Gwen returned to cross-cultural ministry, serving as site pastors for the MyDinh campus of Hanoi International Fellowship in Hanoi, Vietnam.

Wherever you find John, you’ll soon understand that his personal mission is “to equip the saints for ministry locally and globally through one-on-one discipleship, specific instruction, and public proclamation.”

Wherever you find Gwen, you’ll find her modeling simplicity, developing community, decluttering and organizing spaces, and investing in people through hospitality, recreation, and celebration.

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