Today we’d like to introduce you to Shirley J. Johnson.
Shirley, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I am someone who is humble, but bold. I love God’s people and I never meet a stranger. I am a Minister at the Altar Exchange Church, Dallas (Sr. Pastor/Prophet Pernell Jordan and Executive Pastor/Pastor Cynthia Diggs). I was licensed on September 11, 2010. I have served in many capacities as a carrier of God’s word, however, I am best known as an intercessor and a servant leader.
I spent ten years as the director/choreographer of an independent praise dance ministry, Abounding Grace Worship Ministry. I am a co-author in the anthology “Lifting the Veil” and will release my first solo book by the Fall of 2019. I am also a Certified Christian Mentor (CCM) and Mediator.
God has been preparing me for ministry throughout my life. My most obvious training came in the roles that prepared me to be a leader in the U.S. Air Force and presently a leader with the Department of Homeland Security.
Has it been a smooth road?
The road is never smooth when you have your mindset on serving God and have a sincere love for His people. It has not been easy because people will not always understand what you are doing or why you are doing it. I am determined to do ministry God’s way. I have overcome family struggles laced with generational strongholds, trials that come with being a woman in ministry and personal insecurities with learning to love myself. I have had to endure a lot of pain and persevered with a lot of prayers.
Thank God that I have overcome it all through the help of the Lord and a great deal of time dedicated to personal growth. You don’t become a good leader until you fall a few times or fail a few times. You don’t become a great leader until you make it through those things that knocked you down and maintain your joy. I have done it all and will proclaim it everywhere that I can to anyone who needs healing.
Please tell us about Still Joyful Ministries.
My life’s mission is to serve the Lord and to see others live free from bondage and strongholds. After overcoming grief, many tragedies and breaking free from generational strongholds, I have managed to maintain a strong sense of joy. Amazingly, it was death that showed me the key to new life. That is when I realized that the JOY of the Lord is my strength!
I am the founder of Still Joyful Ministries, a Christian-based non-profit organization. Our motto is “JOY-an inner blessing with an outward reflection.” We utilize biblical principles paired with practical application to promote self-development and joy in daily living. We glorify God by offering events in the community that are biblically focused. We desire to meet the spiritual and tangible needs of women and those who have gone through hardships and need to be encouraged. We stand on Nehemiah 8:10 “…the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
We provide spiritual guidance and mentoring to encourage individuals who have lost sight of their joy. We host bi-monthly women’s meetings called S.I.P. (Sisters In Prayer) Sessions. The sessions are free and provide a laid-back, no frills atmosphere for women to have a devotional, rap session, and fellowship all rolled into one meeting.
This year we are hosting the 1st annual Joyful Moments Prayer Brunch. The purpose is to create a safe and powerful atmosphere of women filled with prayer, a powerful word laced with transparency, food, fellowship and praise! Each year, a portion of the proceeds will benefit feeding those in need and blessed bags filled with necessities for the less fortunate.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
So many people are just walking through life without enjoying it due to life’s hardships. We truly want to help women get through this.
We plan to reach even more women and help them to realize that there is still joy on their journey. We will continue with our bi-monthly women’s meetings called S.I.P. (Sisters In Prayer) Sessions and our Annual Joyful Moments Prayer Brunch. We would like to utilize our 501(c)3 status to gain donations in order to assist with feeding and providing supplies for those in need.
We plan to be able to implement curriculum at various church conferences and women’s classes that focus on realizing that there is still joy on this journey.
I will continue to speak, teach, and preach at various engagements and compliment that work with book signings.
Pricing:
- Our Services are free: Joy curriculum, mentoring, speaking, preaching, book signings
- The Joyful Moments Prayer Brunch is $25
- The S.I.P. Sessions are free
Contact Info:
- Website: stilljoyfulministries.com
- Email: stilljoyfulministries@yahoo.com
- Instagram: @stilljoyfulministries
- Facebook: @stilljoyfulministries
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