This week in our Ministry Spotlight, we are getting to know Kurt and Kim Johnson. Keep reading to hear about this sweet couple, their story, the work of God’s grace in their lives and how they are serving the mission of the church to spread the gospel and see disciples made and baptized.
Let’s start with your names and a little about each of you.
Kurt: My name is Kurt Johnson. I live in the Lake Ketchum area northeast of Stanwood about 10 minutes from church. I came to Roots Church at the end of June, 2023. After My wife’s sister passed, we were looking for a Reformed church to attend. My wife and I looked for one. We thought that there was no way that there would be a reformed church in Stanwood. God kept bringing up Roots church to my wife’s attention. Anyway, we listened to one of Pastor Derek’s sermons in the morning and had time to make it for the service, and have been here ever since.
Kim: I’m Kim Johnson, wife of Kurt.
What initially drew you to ministry work? (Were you asked by someone, do you have a skill set that naturally flows into your ministry role?)
Kurt: I am retired and like to use the gifts that God has given me to further His kingdom. The church has many needs; I am glad to be able to help. At my previous church I learned the basics of how to use a portable sound board, which I enjoyed running for services. God brought my wife and I to Roots church so that we would be able to help in any way needed. The ministries that I have been participating in since being here are AV (Audio-visual) sound board and building maintenance.
Kim: October of 1983—the Lord Jesus saved me. That began my “ministry” work. I have had one goal burning in my soul from that point on: to know, love and obey my Lord Jesus Christ and to make him known. Then one day in the first church I attended and became a member of I was convicted by the sermon to step out and serve. So I prayed and called the Superintendent of Sunday School asking if there was some paper work I could do. She told me not really but she did have a 5th & 6th grade girls Sunday School class that needed a teacher. I declined and we talked and the Holy Spirit worked in my heart. By the end of our conversation, I was a Sunday School teacher. Only God knew I would love that position for more than 13 years. God also knew that a few months after beginning at Root’s Children’s Church needed a lead teacher and I could hardly wait to jump in. That was nearly two years ago and I love it as much today as I did when I began. So thankful to the Lord for this opportunity to serve.
How do you see your role contributing to the larger mission of the church or ministry?
Kurt: Running AV helps the mission of the church so that the church body can clearly hear the service without it being too loud or to soft so that the congregation may easily participate in worshiping God. Part of my service is recording the sermon, editing it and downloading the sermon to the internet, so that others can listen to the message. Serving in maintenance allows me to participate in keeping things up to date and fresh so that others may enjoy their Roots church experience. This is also an area I really enjoy.
Kim: My role as a Sunday School teacher has a HUGE contribution to the larger mission of our church. What a privilege of the highest degree to impact little hearts and minds for Christ. To enjoy them with the joy of the Lord, teach them with confidence in the Truth of His word, to love them through words and actions with much prayer. Children are a GIFT from God —Oh may they believe the Gospel and be deeply rooted in God’s grace in Jesus Christ. My heart prays to that end.
What are your biggest joys and rewards in your ministry work?
Kurt: To be able to serve God with my talents that He has given me. I have been helping out in AV for almost 2 years, and there is still so much that I do not know about it. I am grateful for those who do know the system better, so that when I have an issue I can reach out to them.
Kim: My joys and rewards are many. Sweet faces, busy little people, all settling down to listen about the Greatest Person who ever lived and Lives today. To hear a young girl –after I finished our opening prayer—raise her hand and ask “Can I pray too?” O my be still my heart—“absolutely you may pray!! One thing that touches my heart is the clear evidence of parents in Root’s Church fulfilling their God-given call to teach their children the truth of God’s Holy Word. I rejoice in my heart at how many of these precious souls are being taught at home and can answer many questions asked without hesitation. Not having been raised in the church myself–I could cry tears of joy and want to encourage all you faithful parents—Amen.
Can you share a specific example of how you’ve seen your ministry make a difference in someone’s life?
Kurt: When setting AV up before service, if there is a youth not doing anything, I will ask if they would like to assist during setup. If they say yes, then I put them to work doing easy things like installing batteries into the wireless microphones (mics), placing the mics on the stands and setting up the stage with the music stands. On Sundays when I am by myself a young man assists me in running the slides (on the computer). So far I have 2 young guys and they both enjoy assisting.
Kim: Because Jr Church in my class begins at four years up to nine—the difference I can make may seem inconsequential to some–but it’s HUGE to me and the child —even if they can’t recognize it. I have had several instances like the following: The child does not want to attend SS–he/she is crying and clinging to the parent. I ask if I may take them in the room as the parent leaves. At the parents “yes” I bring them in and let them be. One child sat under the basketball hoop game. They cried and yelled. I told the others let’s give (name) some time alone—they just need think time. After that was said several times—about 15 minutes maybe 20 that child came out on their own to join us and finished all smiles and totally engaged. My ministry made a difference in their life allowing them time to calm down, find that they could do that, and rejoin our group without intervention from any adult. That is a powerful life lesson–they may not understand fully but I know the seed was planted.
What are some of the most challenging or rewarding experiences you’ve had in your ministry work?
Kurt: Challenging; Sunday morning AV starts at 9:30 am, first setting up the stage for the musicians, then sound checking the singers mics and instruments, then setting up the pastors mic and opening up the recording program, testing the mics to ensure everything is recording and without any interference all before service starts at 10:30am. Rewarding; when all goes well for the whole service!
Kim: It can be a challenge when we gladly receive upwards of 12 to 14 young souls in our smallish SS class. I say this with a smile—believe that! But it can be a challenge. My co-leader Ben and I have worked together now for nearly two years so we have developed a good system I believe and things flow pretty well. If all else fails, and sermons run longer than normal there is always a good ol’ fashion game of Simon Says—and at times Simon says “time for a one minute quiet time”. LOL
How has your ministry work shaped you personally?
Kurt: I was a know-it-all most of my life afraid to humble myself and submit to authority or others who knew more then I did, but here, I am learning and leaning on others when I do not know why it is not working. Evidence of God’s work in me.
Kim: Ministry work has shaped me personally by helping me over many years to understand the truth that God knows every heart–I don’t. God saves souls—I can’t. When I feel tired—God doesn’t’. When I am not sure what to do—God always knows. So I am learning Philippians 4:13 every day—“I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.” Isaiah 40:28–“…….”He does not grow tired or weary and his understanding no one can fathom.” John 14:1–“Do not let your heart be troubled trust God trust also in me.” In short God teaches me through my ministry work that it is truly his work and my work is to depend on him, rest in him and trust him. Any success is ALL HIS. To his name be the GLORY.
How do you see the needs of your community and how do you tailor your ministry to address those needs?
Kurt: On Halloween, last year, we got the approval from Pastor Derek to hand out gospel tracts to the adults when they were coming through Roots church for their kids to collect Halloween candy. I gave out over 600 tracts. This year we are extra prepared to give out over a thousand. I am praying for many to be saved and attend a good Bible believing church–such as Roots church.
Kim: Our community is very important to me. I long for their saving knowledge of Christ and to be connected to a biblical church. This is the reason Kurt and I have the privilege of handing gospel tracts to the parents of all the kids that come out for the Halloween candy event. We are so grateful we have a Pastor whose heart desires the same and has given us the YES on doing this. Christ is the Treasure and we long for and pray towards that end for our community.
What is your guiding verse or prayer that helps you daily in your personal walk with God and your ministry role?
Kurt: Galatians 2:20 ESV “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but
Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who
loved me and gave himself for me.” 2 Peter 1:5-11 ESV “For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, 6 and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins. Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall. 11 For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I like these verses because by living in these ways, I will not be ineffective or unfruitful and will not fall. I want to keep my eyes on Jesus.
Kim: My number one guiding verse is Romans 8:28-29—“And we know that in all things God works for the good for those who love God, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.” This truth feeds my faith and strengthens it with spiritual iron. I know from God’s word and through much experience that God is faithful to his children. He will do as he says even when I can’t understand and/or life is very painful and shattering. He WILL work through all my circumstances for my good and (his glory). I believe this with all my heart. But please remind me when I need the grace of encouragement as well.
What does your daily walk with God look like and how does that impact your ministry?
Kurt: Reading God’s Word is to know and learn about Him, to see Him at work. The Bible is all about God, it is His Story, His ways and I need to know Him and his Son. When He says there is only one way to the Father and that is through Me. I need to accept and trust God that He means that, there are no other ways to eternal life. Christ is life!
Kim: I seek to know God through his word and depend on Him for everything. I remember his word tells me that the works of the flesh are death (always) and the work of the Spirit is life and peace. When I open my eyes at night or in the morning I pray and ask the Lord to fill me and live through me. To teach me to depend on Him moment by moment. When I get up I read his word daily with gladness. The delight I have prayed for in my heart concerning my daily reading of his word is due to Him answering my many cries and prayers. All glory to my faithful God. I read his word to– 1. Know God and his Son for this is eternal life (John 17:3); 2. to –grow in the grace and the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ(2 Peter 3:18); 3. Faith food—“Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God. (Romans 10:17) 4. To believe in the one he has sent for this is the work of God (John 6:29) 5. And to—go and make disciples of all nations,……………..teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you………..Matthew 28:19-20. My ministry is empowered, rooted, and maturing as I diligently study and prayerfully consider with faith all God says in order to obey all he commands. (When I sin and fall short I repent –I have not arrived but I am gladly in process—all to His glory ! Amen)
How would you like to most encourage the body of Roots or those reading this blog?
Kurt: I am a part of the church body, the church is made up of many parts and each part has roles to play, we are not all hands or feet, or toes and fingers, it takes each person to get involved in the church. In this way you can see what gifts that God has given to you and to use them in our church community for His glory and the good of the body.
Kim: I would like to encourage anyone reading this blog that the God of the Bible is faithful. First, to himself and his own glory, and then to his people for their good. No matter what circumstances we may find ourselves in–God has not changed, He is not worried, He is in absolute Sovereign control of all things. Turn to Him, read His word and believe the gospel. (Trust) him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we could ask or imagine according to the power that is at work within us (who believe), to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations for ever and ever! Amen (Ephesians 3:20-21)
Thank you Kurt and Kim for sharing your hearts and gifts with us at Roots. We pray God would bless your ministries as you serve to bring glory, honor and praise to His name. We at Roots Church treasure you both and are continuously thankful for your hearts to share the gospel, be fruitful in all you do, and lovingly care for others. CHURCH — next time you see Kurt and Kim let them know how reading their story encouraged your own faith so see the Lord and how he is working among us through the Johnson’s and others.