Happy Thanksgiving!
In 1984 the Lord revealed some things to my heart — that I was to live my life with gratitude. It is the very reason my salutation with every letter, note, or email says with a “Grateful Heart.” A grateful heart is a thankful heart, and I remind you of David’s Psalm of Thanksgiving found in I Chronicles 16:7-36 — specifically verses 8 & 9:
“Give thanks to the Lord; call on his name; proclaim his deeds among the peoples. Sing to him; sing praise to him; tell about all his wondrous works!
I pray that my heart will always reflect a grateful heart, and I know that I cannot just rely on what happened in 1984, but with each new day, I am to give thanks anew.
I am grateful for you and give thanks to God for you and your friendship. I am thankful for your prayer support and financial support.
In this season of Thanksgiving, you’ve probably received many messages about Giving Tuesday. I ask you to consider donating to Jay Johnston Ministry. I established Jay Johnston ministry a year ago. The purpose of this ministry is to be faithful to the call God has placed on my life, including Evangelizing, Establishing, Equipping, and Exporting people to go and multiply for the cause of Christ. Personally, it means that I am daily seeking for the Lord to show me opportunities to share the Gospel and equip others to share the Gospel. To pray and to lead others to pray. To minister to others in times of need and be active in ministry wherever God opens a door.
As I have previously shared in other newsletters, I was also asked to lead the prayer efforts for the Family Research Council. I am thankful for this opportunity to minister through prayer in Washington, DC, Baton Rouge, LA, and other areas across the US to engage people in praying for the critical work of FRC.
The work with FRC has not slowed down the ministry opportunities through Jay Johnston Ministry. I am so grateful for the way God is opening doors and allowing me to fulfill the purpose set forth with this ministry. In the past several months, the Lord has opened additional opportunities for me to minister, and he has revealed to me some new ways to serve Him. These are all a larger scale of what I have been doing. I want to share these goals that I am working toward and why I need your financial support on this Giving Tuesday.
New Ministry Opportunities
I ask that you pray with me about these ministry opportunities and consider giving to help them become a reality. I welcome your questions and input as I seek to be obedient to the gifts and talents that God has given me. I have included some financial numbers for you to look over as you consider and pray about supporting me in these ministry opportunities.
First, I am looking into establishing a city-wide prayer meeting in the capital city of Louisiana. I would be working with pastors and local ministries in this effort. The prayer gathering would initially take place once a month in a public venue. The cost to do this will be approximately $5,000 for each monthly meeting. The annual fee will be roughly $60,000 for rental space, sound, promotion, etc. I ask that you pray with me about this opportunity.
Second, I’m looking into an opportunity to be on the frontlines of future disaster relief efforts. This would give me the chance to be in communities affected by natural disasters or critical incidents soon after such events and work alongside law enforcement, first responders, and disaster relief leaders.
Because of my volunteer chaplain work with the state police, I saw a need to lead while helping with disaster relief following Hurricane Ida. To sustain this, I would recruit friends like you, local church volunteers, and other ministries to assist me. The vision would be to have one trailer from Featherlite Trailers. The trailer would be equipped with an ice maker, one large deep freeze, and one small deep freeze. It would also have a water filtration system and could operate on a generator and shore power. It is a niche opportunity to be on the frontlines of disaster relief with first responders, law enforcement, and disaster relief leaders and be able to provide for them as they establish a base of operation. The trailer would also support the ongoing ministry of assisting with critical incident needs of law enforcement and first responders. In exploring trailer options and having conversations with friends from Samaritan’s Purse, we are looking at the cost of approximately $20,000 for the ice trailer.
Let me also share as God provides a second trailer or encourages another ministry to secure one where we could work together to prepare meals for approximately 250 people per mealtime. The cost for the cooking trailer coming from Featherlite would be $180,000. The trailer would be used similarly to the ice trailer.
Third, as I continue working the 1-12 Corridor ministering to men, families, and law enforcement, I would like to equip them with Bibles and discipleship resources. The estimated cost for one year is $10,000.
Fourth, ongoing ministry needs as I minister and serve include:
- Intentional disciple-making.
- Ministering to families in times of need.
- Being available as God works and opens other ministry opportunities.
The cost for these ongoing efforts is $15,000 a year.
My desire is to be found faithful as I run the race God has set before me with endurance and keep my eyes on Him — Hebrews 12:1-3. I thank you for your steadfast support and encouragement. I am excited about the opportunities before me and thank you for your financial support. If God lays on your heart to support Jay Johnston Ministries financially, you can send a check or give online.
May this Thanksgiving — which is the 400th anniversary of Thanksgiving — be a blessing to you and your family. I love you and thank God for you.
With a Grateful Heart,
Pastor Jay
