Re: Tribute to Graham Johnston

On hearing the sad news of the passing of the much loved pastor Graham Johnston, I wish to send my condolences to Tracey and Carson and Paige the entire Subiaco Church of Christ community. I was a member of Subi church some years ago when I was a university student, and when I came back from teaching  in Geraldton as an Art Teacher. My most precious memories as a young Christian women was spending time in fellowship at Subi and how Graham had such a heart for the young. He would accompany us to the State Youth Games in Bunbury and take great interest in seeing us engage in positive and rewarding experiences that would enrich our walk with the Lord Jesus Christ. After church, he and Tracey would accompany us to the markets for lunch which was so lovely. It was always a great pleasure to listen to more of his teaching at bible study at his home. His sermons always touched my heart and God often spoke to my heart through his wonderful messages. His messages were always clear and to the point about Salvation and living an authentic Christian walk. 

I found that the highlight of my week was coming to church at Subi, and Graham would always  be there to talk to and encourage me in whatever difficulties I was facing. He was a dear brother in the Lord and I will miss him, but it is a great consolation that we will meet again when the Lord comes.

I count it a privilege to have met Graham and the everlasting impact his ministry had on my life in my twenties.

Kind Regards

Mrs Caroline Esiason

Tribute for Graham Johnston

Words cannot express my thoughts about the blessing Graham has been to me personally.  He has inspired me with his amazing gift for expounding the Word of God, his absolute commitment to the work of sharing the good news of salvation, his love for Jesus his Saviour and his dedication to being a whole hearted follower of Him.

He always greeted me with a smile and warm hug after the Sunday morning service  – how I’ll miss this gorgeous man of God.

 

Tracey may the Lord comfort, strengthen and bless  you as you mourn the loss of your beloved husband, friend and mentor.   May the Lord especially help your lovely children, Paige and Carson as they feel the terrible loss of their loving father.

 

I have always loved your precious  family and hold you in high esteem.  I’ll continue to uphold you in prayer every day asking the Lord to comfort and help you as you go through this sad time.

 

With much love and prayer

 

Dillicia

Graham Johnston

Hi my name is Andrew Hogarth, I am a pastor in Adelaide.

I have not met Graham personally but have seen his book and have heard of the ministry of Subiaco Church.
The purpose of this email is to simply thank God and honour Graham for his love for the Lord and for people.
Be assured too that this comes with prayers today for his family  Tracey and children Paige and Carson.

God bless you as a church in this testing time and may God's great comfort be with the Johnston family.

God bless you and keep you

Andy Hogarth

--  Rev Andrew Hogarth  Senior Pastor The Journey Uniting Church www.thejourneycc.org.au  For God's Glory  Golden Grove 10am and 6pm [Pedare Christian College Chapel]  Elizabeth Downs 330pm [Gateway Uniting Site Midway Road]   M. 0413995219 P. 08 8251 7149 F. 08 8251 7396 E. andrew@thejourneycc.org.au Skype. andrew.hogarth2   Office Address and all corrospondance to:  2-30 Surrey Farm Drive Golden Grove 5125 [Pedare Christian College Site]  ABN: 70 226 116 175      

Tribute for Graham Johnston

Words cannot express my thoughts about the blessing Graham has been to me personally.  He has inspired me with his amazing gift for expounding the Word of God, his absolute commitment to the work of sharing the good news of salvation, his love for Jesus his Saviour and his dedication to being a whole hearted follower of Him.

He always greeted me with a smile and warm hug after the Sunday morning service  – how I’ll miss this gorgeous man of God.

 

Tracey may the Lord comfort, strengthen and bless  you as you mourn the loss of your beloved husband, friend and mentor.   May the Lord especially help your lovely children, Paige and Carson as they feel the terrible loss of their loving father.

 

I have always loved your precious  family and hold you in high esteem.  I’ll continue to uphold you in prayer every day asking the Lord to comfort and help you as you go through this sad time.

 

With much love and prayer

 

Dillicia

Letter from Tracey Johnston

To My Dear Family and Friends at Subi Church

It is with great love that I thank God for you all.

Your love, generosity and support over these last 7 months have been a great source of comfort to myself and Graham until the time he went to be with our Lord. I miss him terribly, yet I take comfort in the knowledge he is alive, just not with us anymore.

The cards and letters I have received have been a wonderful testimony of your love and admiration for him. I have received letters from all over the world and I am so thankful that Subi supported Graham in his desire to serve in other countries. He could not have done this without your willingness to let him go. The

Silver Chain nurse asked Graham if he was ready to die, and if he thought he had lived a full life, to which he said he felt he had lived 3 life times.

He was so courageous, and the day before he died, I asked him if the doctors could identify the infection would he be willing to go back to hospital, was he still willing to fight and he said yes. With that comment he grabbed my hand and pulled me to him and he kissed me and said I love you sweetie. He was in so much pain and discomfort, but he was so soft and his heart was so open.

I thank God that we were all around him in his last minutes. Paige was just about to go for a walk and I could see he was nearing the end. I sent someone to get her quickly and thanked God for His grace in that. It still does not seem real to me, and I think he has just gone on one of his trips and will be home soon. I am constantly reflecting on things he said and did throughout my day. The memories are so rich and so many.

He was larger than life, and I have had an incredible 21 years, with the most amazing experiences, from the diversity of people he brought into my life to the many moments when he made me see our Lord in a new and powerful way. I felt privileged to be Graham’s wife and loved being the wife of a pastor. We would miss you all when we were away, there was nowhere else we wanted to be on a Sunday morning.

So I thank you all for making the time in ministry at Subi Church a deeply satisfying and wonderful experience. Graham would always say, it does not matter what is happening on the platform as much as what is happening in the pews. You all have helped make Subiaco Church the great church it is. I look forward to what is ahead. Thank you again from the bottom of my heart.

May God continue to be glorified in Subi Church.

Love Tracey, Paige & Carson

Jesus replied, “ You do not realize now what I am doing,
but later you will understand.”
John 13:7

Tribute for Graham Johnston

Words cannot express my thoughts about the blessing Graham has been to me personally.  He has inspired me with his amazing gift for expounding the Word of God, his absolute commitment to the work of sharing the good news of salvation, his love for Jesus his Saviour and his dedication to being a whole hearted follower of Him.

He always greeted me with a smile and warm hug after the Sunday morning service  – how I’ll miss this gorgeous man of God.

 

Tracey may the Lord comfort, strengthen and bless  you as you mourn the loss of your beloved husband, friend and mentor.   May the Lord especially help your lovely children, Paige and Carson as they feel the terrible loss of their loving father.

 

I have always loved your precious  family and hold you in high esteem.  I’ll continue to uphold you in prayer every day asking the Lord to comfort and help you as you go through this sad time.

 

With much love and prayer

 

Dillicia

Graham Johnston's Funeral Service

Graham Johnston's Funeral Service held on 21 January 2011 at Subiaco Church.

Message to Tracey Johnston

Memories of Graham

Since his diagnosis I had followed Graham's courageous battle with cancer on the Subiaco Church website. I am shocked and saddened by his passing.

 

I got to know Graham back in the late 1980's when he stayed at my parent's home during the time he was based in Charlotte NC working for the Leighton Ford Ministries. Unfortunately I was unable to meet up with Graham again after he left the United States for Australia, however I still have many vivid memories of him. In the many conversations I had with Graham during the time he stayed at my parent's house, his intellect and curiosity stood out to me the most. Graham was knowledgeable and curious about a wide range of subjects. He loved reading, and he particularly loved thinking about and discussing ideas. Not surprisingly he was a fascinating conversationalist. Graham also had a great sense of humor. I don't think I've ever been around anyone who made me laugh more than Graham. His observations and comments were often hilarious. When Graham would join my parents and me around the dinner table there was guaranteed to be interesting conversation and lots of laughter.

 

I remember that Graham loved all types of sports. There didn't seem to be a sport that Graham couldn't become deeply involved in watching; and when watching a game with Graham you were sure to hear much more interesting and humorous commentary from him than from the televison analyst.

 

Graham exuded a passion for living life to the fullest and from reading the tributes to him that have poured in from all over the world, it is clear he channeled his enthusiasm and passion toward reaching and helping others. He lived a life full of meaning and purpose and he will be greatly missed by many.

 

 

Donald Little  

 

 

To our friend Graham

 

To our friend Graham,

Profound loss and sorrow with your passing.
You meant so many things to us in so many ways.
From the jumpshots to the film cuts.
...From leading us in youth group to dedicating our children.
You were there for it all.
The world will not be the same without you.
A light has gone out and many of us have felt it.

You inspired us to want to inspire others.

Love from all our family
Lincoln, Natasha, Jasmine and Maia Fenner

 

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Graham

It is with great sadness to hear of his passing away.  We would have loved to be there to celebrate his life at the memorial service but we are currently living in India.

 

May God comfort you all during the sad time.  Our prayers and love are with you.

 

Colin & Carolyn Craggs

ANNOUNCEMENT

Dear Friends of Subi Church,

We have sad news. Graham Johnston passed away to be with the Lord on 17 January at 7:52pm. He was surrounded by his family and close friends and died peacefully at home. Graham had been through a long battle with cancer, having been diagnosed with mesothelioma in June 2010.

We will miss him greatly. He has been a great pastor and friend for 21 years at Subi Church.

Please pray for God’s comfort and strength for his family.

The funeral will be held this coming Friday, 21st Jan, at Subiaco Church of Christ, 260 Bagot Road, from 2pm-3.30pm. Due to the large number of people we are expecting, we will be providing overflow facilities.

Please note that there will be no creche for the children.

Subi Church Eldership

Health Update - 10 January 2011

Dear Friends,

Again, thank you for your on going prayers and concern. Let me update you on my health. Some of you are aware that the day after Christmas I had to be admitted into the emergency room due to labored breathing. As a result, there was detected a build up of fluid in my right lung (ie my good lung) as well as the sack around my heart. Both need to be drained and it was a source of deep concern for some of the doctors. However, in the mean time my condition has become quite stable and I am resting now at home. The trip to the U.S. was canceled and my family from America came to join me here in Australia. Let me tell you how you can be praying for me now.
Pray that the fluids that I mentioned earlier will drain naturally from my system. I am currently on an oxygen bottle to help my depleted lungs and I would like to get off that as soon as possible.
I have on going fatigue and there is inevitable muscle break down after months of limited activity. Therefore, pray that my energy level would continue to increase in the days and weeks to come.
Pray for my spirits and all my family around me. We ask for continued encouragement and that we may keep our eyes fixed on the Lord.

It was just 15 days ago that I was told by several doctors that I would die in 2 to 14 days due to the fluid gain that I was experiencing. Clearly, the Lord timing is different. I can say with an open heart that if He calls me I am ready to be with Him. “For me to live is Christ, to die is gain.”

Thank you again for your on going love and concern. Please keep the prayers coming.

Yours In Christ,

Graham Johnston