Reuben Johnston is ordained deacon
Congratulations to Revd Reuben Johnston who has been ordained deacon for an internship in Willowfield Parish, Belfast. Bishop David ordained Reuben along with four others at a service in Willowfield Church on Sunday 1 September. The address was given by Revd Richard Moy, National Director of SOMA UK.
Reuben’s journey to ordination
I’m Reuben, I’m 33, I’m married to Jenny, and we have three young boys, Jacob, Caleb and Josiah. We worship at Willowfield Parish Church where I also work as the Kids and Youth Coordinator. I have had the privilege of working in church-based youth ministry for the last 10 years, both in the local church and in overseas mission. During this time, I have become increasingly convinced of the Lord’s call on my life, as He has broken my heart for His Church and for the lost, calling me to serve in an ordained capacity.
The previous 10 years have been particularly formational while discipling young people. I believe that the Church must continue to prioritise the spiritual formation of youth and young adults in creative and fresh ways. So, whilst I will be stepping back from vocational youth ministry, my desire to see young people develop a personal and living faith in Jesus is something that I will carry with me into this next season.
I first began to develop a personal relationship with Jesus in my teens. Through the devotion of youth leaders and family members I began to encounter the love of Jesus through his Word and in times of worship. I vividly remember praying a prayer at Summer Madness as a teen where I told God that I was willing to ‘go all in’, giving Him all I had, willing to go wherever He would lead me; although at that point, nothing seemed further away than ordained ministry.
I always enjoyed church. But in those teenage years I was aware of what I now refer to as a “holy discontent”. It wasn’t that I disliked church, but I wanted church to be as effective as possible for discipleship and for reaching the lost. It was with this discontent that I believe the Lord was beginning to mould within me a heart for ministry.
Today I find myself excited and passionate about God, sharing His Word, being led by the Holy Spirit and seeing Him at work in the lives of others to transform, renew and redeem all things as His Kingdom comes! As a family, we look forward to this next year, serving the Willowfield Parish community in this new capacity.
