george henry - Deaconess Audrey Johnson

GEORGE HENRY, STAR Writer

Audrey Johnson is the wife of the Reverend Donald Johnson, pastor at the Grace Temple Apostolic Church at Chudleigh in Manchester. She has been a member of that congregation since 1983 when she got married. Since then, she has been working for God in various capacities. Her first step with the Lord when she started her Christian journey has been described as a memorable occasion.

"I remember exactly one Sunday afternoon when they had a missionary service at the Church of God in Taymount; and there was this group of persons from the New Testament Church who came and were singing this song, 'I'll go where you want me to go, dear Lord'; and I just found myself praising God and worshipping God," said the pastor's wife.

rejoicing

Johnson, who currently serves as a deaconess at her church, said the experience then was a new one, and that she was unable to contain herself because she was all over the place rejoicing and giving the Lord thanks.

"That took place when I was at the age of 17 years old, just after I left high school," she said.

She added that as a teenager when she just started out for the Lord, though the teenage years are described as the most difficult for persons, with her it was not all that bad. She pointed out that she was able to hold on to the Lord because she was very determined to stay with her Maker.

"I was even commended by persons in my community who at one stage were wondering how come I was able to keep saved, when I saw some of the things they were enjoying out there in the world. But all that did not deter me from serving the Lord in spirit and in truth. I held on to the faith because I knew that I got a calling from God," she said.

counselling sessions

The mother of Dwayne and Davia Johnson wants women to organise counselling sessions for the young and upcoming young women while helping them to grow in the Lord, and to take the best care of their husbands.

The church leader noted that although there are women who give the impression that they can be difficult to work with, she believes that it is not hard to lead the women in the church in general, and also expressed that she finds it more difficult leading the men.

"I have more problems leading the men; because the men are set in their ways and they are hard to come. The ladies are easier to deal with than the men because the ladies' heart is softer that the men's heart," noted the Deaconess.

'I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me' is the favourite Bible verse for Deaconess Johnson. She pointed out that this verse of scripture helps her to grow. She further pointed out that as Christians there are times when individuals get discouraged and are faced with serious situations; but she believed wholeheartedly that with Jesus on her side she will be able to do all things through Him who strengthens her.

Johnson's favourite Christian song is 'Praise the Lord, praise Him in the morning, and praise Him in the evening when the sun goes down'.

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