December Newsletter

"The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel"-which means, "God with us” (Matt. 1:23). Think about it: “GOD with US”! That’s love. And that’s reason to be thankful!

Thankful for the past year 

What a privilege to have ministered in English, French, First Nations, and ethnic churches here in Quebec. Quebec is the Western world’s most needy mission field. Over 1.8 million people in 850 communities have no evangelical church witness!

And what a privilege to have spent a total of over 3 months in Uganda, working alongside the leadership of Pentecostal Assemblies of God (PAG), Uganda. At Missions Transformation Centre (MTC), we launched a 6-week Missions training in February and a 3-week Church Planting training in August. In November, I taught at three regional pastor’s conferences in the North. It was a joy to see those who have attended MTC moving forward, taking the hope and healing of Jesus Christ to individuals, families and communities . . .among their own people and beyond. As they go, they take “Immanuel, God with us”!

Karamajong ladies, Kotido

Pastor's seeking God, Adjumani

Thankful for the coming year 

I’m thankful for new opportunities in the coming year: 

• Teaching a one-week intensive “Introduction to Missions” course at Institut Biblique du Québec, Jan. 10-14. May God stir a passion in His people to reach Quebec and the world! 
• Experiencing my first ministry opportunity in India (Tamil Nadu state) Jan. 16-Feb. 12. I will teach at Pastor’s conferences, along with other ministry. 
•  Launching “Level 2” of MTC’s Missions and Church Planting training. I’m sold out to PAG Uganda’s vision to transition from mission field to mission force. (Really, I’m sold out to God’s passion to reach nations. “Immanuel, God with all peoples.” I look forward to ongoing involvement at MTC in 2011 and beyond! 

New opportunities are good. New relationships are even better! I’m excited to be “in process” to become a “Minister in Partnership” with the PAOC International Missions Department. This will provide a formal relationship with PAOC International Missions, while allowing me to continue to work under my present ministry umbrella. I will still be based in Canada and available for ministry here. This should be in place early in 2011.

Thankful for you! 

I thank God for each one of you who prays and gives and offers encouragement and gives counsel. You make this ministry possible. Together, we are co-workers with God! During this Christmas season and always, may we experience Him as “Immanuel, God with us.” 

New opportunities call for new partnerships! Please consider partnering financially for the India ministry in January. Or become a monthly partner, supporting new opportunities throughout the year. 

To Partner Financially: 

• Make cheques payable to "Joy Johnston Ministries" and send to the address below 
• Give online at www.joyjohnston.ca 
• Receipts will be issued for gifts of $20 or more 

Please Pray For: 

• Preparation for upcoming ministry 
• Effective, fruitful ministry 
• Health, strength, and protection: physically, emotionally, spiritually 
• New financial and prayer partners for 2011 
• Peace and stability in Uganda during elections (2nd half of February)

Getting There

Between Abim and Lira. CLICK to enlarge.

It's not always easy to get there. "There" is wherever God wants you to be or whatever He wants you to accomplish. November ministry in Northern Uganda: 1,800 km. of road travel on roads that were sometimes broken, flooded, or washed out. It wasn't easy to get there, but with God's help, we did. It was worth it.


Many, many generations ago, God spoke through the prophet Zechariah to a man named Zerubbabel. Zerubbabel was among the first who returned to Jerusalem after Israel's long captivity in Babylon. The city was in ruins. He set out to rebuild the temple. But it wasn't easy to get there, and he gave up . . . for 17 years! The obstacles and opposition seemed like an insurmountable mountain. 


But one day God spoke: 'Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,' says the LORD Almighty. 'What are you, O mighty mountain? Before Zerubbabel you will become level ground. Then he will bring out the capstone to shouts of 'God bless it! God bless it! . . . The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this temple; his hands will also complete it.' (Zechariah 4:6-7, 9). Zerbubbel went back to work. And he got there. Four years later, the completed temple was dedicated with great rejoicing. It was worth it.


Where does God want you to be? What does He want you to accomplish? No, it's not always easy to get there. There will likely be obstacles and opposition. But They can't stand before the power of God's Spirit. . . God has already spoken. We can get there. And it is worth it!