Covenant News

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.

Printable version of this page.