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Richard and Marlys Johnson Conclude Missionary Service
CHICAGO, IL (January 5, 2003) - After serving 26 years as missionaries in the
Evangelical Covenant Church, Richard and Marlys Johnson retired from
service effective December 31.
The Johnsons served nearly their entire missionary careers in Colombia with
the Department of World Mission, having been called for missionary service
at the
1976 Annual Meeting. They plan to live in the Chicago area.
"We are leaving Colombia with mixed emotions," said the Johnsons in a
recent newsletter article. "We are sad to be leaving our many Colombian
friends who we have come to love deeply, However, we are looking forward to
being close to our six children and seven grandchildren . . . it has been a
joy and a blessing to always know there are people and churches like you
back home who are remembering us in prayer and supporting us financially.
We greatly appreciate all that you have done and continue to do for the
Covenant Church of Colombia. We love and appreciate you. Thanks so much."
Members of the Evangelical Covenant Church of Lanyon, Iowa, the Johnsons
have recently been working with some Colombian leaders to develop cell
groups for church
planting and growth, along with helping with visitation, leading women's
Bible studies and training leaders. The Johnsons spent significant time in
Medellin and Bogota as well as three years in Barranquilla.
In recent years, the Johnsons started a new congregation in Cartagena that
has grown to more than 200 attendees under pastor Alvaro Escalon. Their
work has been integral in the spiritual development of that part of the
country as Colombia continues to struggle politically following a change in
leadership.
"During the first months of the new president's term there have been some
very strong and positive actions that are giving the people new hope," said
Richard Johnson. "Because of all the problems, people are more open to the
Gospel than ever before in the history of Colombia."
Regarding their call to missionary service, Richard and Marlys noted that
contacts with missionaries and experiences at Bible camps were among the
influences in their direction of missionary service. "God, speaking through
His Word, has been the strongest influence - to the extent that I couldn't
ignore it any longer," stated Marlys Johnson in
her ministry biography for the Department of World Mission. "When I think
of people dying without Christ, all else seems secondary."
Both Johnsons have strong Covenant ties as each attended North Park
University (then College). Marlys attended Covenant Bible College-Canada
before continuing her education at North Park and Northern Illinois
University. Richard earned a Bachelor of Science degree from North Park in
1962 and a Master of Science degree from the University of Wyoming in 1969.
He also completed missionary studies at North Park Theological Seminary in
1976.
The Johnsons will be formally recognized during the June Annual Meeting in
Rosemont, Illinois.
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