This page is dedicated to heroes and we like other families have some heroes in our family (The JOHNS FAMILY) Roy Johns and Gaye Nell Johns are sister and brother to our Dad Omer Wayne Johns and Our mother Irena Elizabeth Harvey Johns. We like others are really blessed because they dedicated their life to God many years ago. They are well educated and speak several different languages and chose their life as a missionary. Roy as a young man fought for the title of Golden Glove in boxing in the state of Texas but gave it up to go to Peru when God called.
We need to hear a 'hero' story every day. The more the hero is unknown and unsung, the more his story will bless our lives If he is still living, his story should bless us even more.
The hero I want to tell you about today is not only still living, but he is still doing what makes him a hero.
In 1960, my family and I went to Peru, South America as missionaries. In the Andes mountain town of Huancayo, the Douglas Craig's and Roy Johns families received us and blessed us as only God’s people can.
For the next ten years in Peru I walked mountain trails and preached the Gospel in many Quecha Indian villages with Roy Johns. I always marveled at his gentle, loving spirit and his faithful witness to every person who would listen.
Since returning to serve in Mexico the last thirty-eight years, our ministries have either been in partnership or in support of each other. As a true New Testament missionary, he has founded and edified Churches in Peru, Mexico and the USA. However, it is his personal witnessing which challenges every christian. Many times I have seen him cry over the indifference and hardness of sinners. Nothing turns him aside from asking, “Friend, can you tell me how a sinner can have his sins forgiven before God?” That is Roy’s favorite way of beginning a conversation and finding out the need of a sinner.
Until recently, Roy and his faithful wife Gaye have ministered in jails and prisons of the Houston and Valley areas. They both continue a Bible correspondence ministry, writing personal letters to prisoners every week. Only eternity can tell the innumerable fruit of this hero’s life. Like most real heroes, Roy does not look for recognition. In fact if you ask him about his life, he would say,” I wish I could have told more sinners about Jesus”. Then he would probably ask you “Can you tell me how a sinner can have his sins forgiven before God?” With this writing I recognize this hero of the faith and thank God for his challenge to my life. I believe many of God’s people would like to recognize him too. Roy and Gaye’s missionary service since 1958 has been ‘heroic’ in spite of terrific health problems and limited financial support. Some family members have been faithful to help. A few churches have stood by them through the years. Recently, several churches discontinued their support. Roy continually suffers with neuropathy and blood problems. His eyes are failing fast. Gaye has acute asthma and uses a breathing machine some of the time. (I personally know that Roy has lacked finances to have some medical procedures) Yet, both rejoice in each day’s opportunities to tell others how ‘a sinner can have his sins forgiven before God’.
I believe many who read this will pray for Roy and Gaye. I invite you also to share a one time offering or a monthly gift with these heroes. You will be saluting and sharing in fifty years of ongoing missionary witness for Christ. I know many folk spend money on flowers to ‘remember’ a hero. This is a special opportunity to ‘bless’ some living heroes now:
Roy and Gaye Johns P. O. BOX 2732 EDINBURG, TEXAS 78540
