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
I'm deeply sadden by this news. We in Singapore, have been reading Graham's health updates from this blog and praying for him. We had thought that he was recovering.
ReplyDeleteI have been blessed by his ministry during my student/OCF days and, as an overseas student,felt very welcome by him. Even after we returned to our home countries, he kept in touch and contacted us when he visited Singapore.
I am encouraged by the fact that he has indeed fought the good fight and finished the Race, leaving his legacy of faithfulness to the Lord and to Subi Church; and he is now comfortable and enjoying the very presence & fellowship of Jesus.
We will continue to keep Tracey and the children and Subi Church in prayer especially as you go through this difficult time of loss.
Joanna Soon Chia said...
ReplyDeleteThank you God for giving us the gift of Graham and family. Thank you LORD for his life well-lived unto YOU.
I echo and share similar sentiments in Lynn Teo's words above and send condolences from me and my family in HK, Singapore and Perth. Praying for God's divine peace and comfort to be upon the family, Subiaco Church, in the city of Perth; and all those whose lives have been touched one way or another through his ministry.
Thank you God for Graham's life and for sending all of us such a blessing. We bless Your name knowing that Graham is resting with You in Your heavenly home. Amen.
I feel obligated to echo the remorse of losing Graham from Florida in the U.S. I am so thankful for the large quantities of time with which I was graced with his presence from early childhood through present adulthood. He was a special man and one of the good ones. He was a cousin, a friend, and a mentor at times. He recognized his own identity in Jesus, and now is in the warm and loving presence of his beloved Savior.
ReplyDeleteHe was and will always be a dear man whose reward will be seen primarily in eternity.
There is only hope in Christ. The sign (which points toward future fullfuillment on the day of the Lord) Christ gave us was when he brought back Lazarus. This awaits all of us in Christ. Until that day (the day of the Lord) Graham will be missed all around the globe more than words or blogs can express. We try to accept that a sovereign God will some day return to establish justice, once and for all.
Thanks Graham for being so special.
Rich Williams
This is very sad news. We love and will miss Graham. His life has touched us all. Thoughts and prayers for Tracey, Paige and Carson.
ReplyDeleteGilberto Sánchez and Marien Parra said...
ReplyDeleteWe are so sad to hear this news. We only shared a short time with Graham, but it was enough to be blessed by his amazing teaching and leadership skills. He was God instrument in our life no doubt. We thanks God for Graham’s life, and thanks Him that Graham is now with Him. Tracy, Paige and Carson are in our mind and in our Prayers. We pray that God’s peace and strength be with you and all the family.
I have just received news from Kuan of Graham's passing with sadness and at the same time a sense of relief for him. Although I didn't have the chance to really get to know him during my visits to Perth, I can still visualise him at the pulpit delivering to Subi Church what God had laid upon his heart. Tracey, Paige and Carson, no words can really help to ease the loss you now feel but take comfort that "the eternal God is (Graham's) dwelling place" (Deut. 33:27).
ReplyDeleteGraham was always more than a nephew. He was like a son to us and brother to our two boys but also like a colleague in ministry. He had wisdom and discernment beyond his years. We enjoyed his joining us many summers as he changed from being the youngest in his family to the oldest in ours. When our oldest son Sid passed away he came from Australia to have the service and was such a comfort and encouragement to me. We loved him dearly and will miss his cheerful spirit, quick wit, and insightful comments. His love for life, sports, adventures but mostly his commitment to the Lord will inspire us and comfort us until we are re-united.
ReplyDeleteLillian Williams (Aunt Pud)
Dear Graham
ReplyDeleteYour passing (just a physical absence from us really) is an unimaginable loss to those who knew and loved you. Not only could you relate God's Word to life's every-day experiences but you were special in that you had the ability to bring out the best in people and demonstrate care and understanding to those who were in need. I consider it a privilege to have been married by you and to have played basketball with you, a game we both loved. I will cherish in my memory the walks we had around Lake Gwelup and the things we talked about, especially the incredible bravery in which you faced your illness - with courage, dignity and intellect. You were a great guy to be around Graham and I will miss you Mate.
With Love
Adrian
We have indeed lost a dear friend, mentor and tutor who has been shaping and equipping us to be relevant preachers of the gospel. Rev. Albert Mangeni Kampala-Uganda E. Africa. albertmangeni@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteDear Graham,
ReplyDeleteI know I didn't see you often, but I can feel that you are a very special person. A very special person to the Church community, the elderly and the young. You are also a very special person to my family. You are also very important to my family as well. And I would like to thank-you for being part of my life.
So sad to hear of the news. For the whole Subi community, I pray that togetherness and a thirst of the Lord only increase in the days ahead. I arrived in Australia 8 years ago from the UK, somewhat lonely and looking for a christ-like community. I found such a place with the Johnstons and Subi church. My very deepest condolences to Tracey, Paige and Carson and my apologies in not being able to attend tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteThankyou Graham for all you were and represented.
Russell
Fare Thee Well, Graham. Your memories will always occupy a very special place in all the hearts you touched around the world.
ReplyDeleteWe will greatly miss the sparkle in your eyes; your warm friendship; your incisive wisdom; your passionate preaching; your courageous faith; and your bold pursuit of God.
Adieu friend, mentor, encourager, pastor, teacher, and brother. I know you want us all to finish strong as you did, and that you’re cheering us on.
Till we meet again.
David Waweru
Nairobi, Kenya
We're saddened and shocked to hear about Graham. We met Graham and Tracey briefly when he officiated at the wedding of our son, Andy to Louise nearly five years ago and at various services when we have been visiting Perth. We have fond memories of him and in particular his dedication to preaching the gospel and his evident love for Jesus - we feel blessed to have had the pleasure of meeting him. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family.
ReplyDeleteEvery blessing
Roy & Sheila
Chester
UK
At the meeting of our church elders and deacons just hours before Graham’s memorial service, we remembered Graham’s life and his battle this last year.
ReplyDeleteGraham spoke last summer of having the trappings of his life—the dreams and expectations, the intentions and honourable plans—stripped away in dealing with this threat to his physical life. His testimony to God’s glory and grace was constant.
Surely this was Paul’s priority as well when he declared that “I regard all things as liabilities compared to the far great value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things . . . that I may gain Christ” (Phil 3:8). We are led to rethink our own lives as they are cast in the shadowless light of eternity.
Our prayers for comfort are for you, Tracey, and your wonderful family. And may God continue to do a great work to all at Subi Church who have loved and supported our brother Graham as he finished his course.
Gene Pond
Grace Bible Church
Dallas, Texas USA
To a brilliant person and a longstanding friend and colleague of the Gospel, farewell, until we meet again.
ReplyDeleteJohn and Robbie Crosby
Sydney, NSW
My condolences to the family. I met Dr. Johnston at Dallas Theological Seminary in 2006. He was very kind and a great teacher. We are very sad for these news, but our hope is strong. We will surely see him again in Heaven. Our prayers are with his family now.
ReplyDeletePastor Daniel and Paola Calle
Lima, Peru
Our heartfelt condolences to Tracey, Paige, and Carson and family from Montana,USA. Graham is my husband's 1st cousin and one of the "3 Cowboys" while my husband was one of the "3 Indians" according to their Granmie Johnston! We have been upholding Graham, his entire family, & church family in our prayers for many months now. Watching Graham's memorial service via live stream has been such a blessing. To God be the Glory for the Great things HE has done in Graham, through Graham and for Graham because of Jesus. I Timothy 3:13 says, "Those who have served well gain an excellent standing & great assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus." We can think of no other more excellent standing than to have the assurance that Graham is now in the Presence of Our Lord and Savior, having taken hold of that which Christ Jesus took hold of for Graham. Our love and prayers continue for the family as we ask the Lord to keep each one in God's loving care in the days and months ahead. Lovingly in Christ, Grant & Mary Zerbe
ReplyDeleteGraham Johnston's devotion to Christ and passion to see the gospel extend to the ends of the earth will live on in the hearts of all who knew him. We appreciate his long and faithful service on the board of Pioneers of Australia and the Council and Executive Commmittee of Pioneers International. As well he was a personal friend and mentor to me and many others in Pioneers. We will miss him greatly! John Fletcher (USA)
ReplyDeleteDear Tracey, Paige and Carson, Our church prayed for Graham and I know many prayers are with you in your sad temporary separation. My husband fought a very aggressive cancer for over 4 years and went to be with the Lord last July. The Lord used the cancer to bring Gerry to Him, so I know He always has a good purpose in everything we go through. We will experience a Great Reunion one day – so take heart. May the Joy, Peace and Grace of our wonderful Lord surround you always.
ReplyDeleteLove In Christ – Lyn Doyle (Thornlie Church of Christ)
The church at Wembley Downs sends condolences to Tracey, Paige and Carson and the whole church family at Subiaco on the loss of a fine husband, father and pastor. Graham's leadership leaves a lasting legacy amongst the Church at large in this city and beyond. We have watched and waited in prayer as Graham battled his illness. Alas, the outcome was not what we hoped, and yet we can rejoice in Graham's victory. We thank God for the gift of Graham's witness.
ReplyDeleteTracey, Paige and Carson, and all the Subi Family and Friends. Prayers and comfort be with you all at this time of Graham's passing.
ReplyDeleteHe has touched so many lives and his legacy will live on in those lives. Having worked with him many years ago I know what an impact he can make.
Knowing he is now pain free and worshiping with the Lord he loved brings joy knowing one day we will join him. Love to you all, Jodie, Paul, Benjamin, Michael, Adam and Jeremy Flanders (nee Potter)
I am saddened by the passing on Graham. I have been following up his battle with cancer on the church web site. Somewhere I thought he was going to make it.
ReplyDeleteI met Graham once at a one week leaders conference at Masaka Uganda May last year. He was such a great man. He had a passion for the cause of Christ and yearned for the success of other leaders. When we were parting he asked me to update him of what was going on my ministry. I did not know that this would be the last time for us to meet on this side of life.
To the family and the church I pray that God will strengthen you and comfort you in a time of such a great loss. He will not return to us but we will meet him there.
Graham, I will miss you. Till we meet in the Lord's presence. From Emmanuel Magambo (Uganda)
A BIG MAN with a BIG SMILE ,BIG HUG, BIG PASSIONATE HEART,and a presence that made people feel safe, because most of all he was full of BIG LOVE.Thankyou God for enriching our lives with Graham, only you can fill the BIG VOID he has left.
ReplyDeleteSpecial love to beautiful Tracey, Paige and Carson.
Kathryn and Tim Meyers and family