Where are they now?

Greetings on Day 6 of our 84-day sabbatical journey. I'm attending a conference in Chicago, listening to great teachers and preachers, here at Moody Bible Institute. I'm also enjoying the book, "Can the Pastor Do It Alone" by M. Steinbron.

Linda and I left Minneapolis on Sunday, May 20, following our daughter Elizabeth's graduation from Northwestern College and I flew to Chicago for a Pastors Conference here in downtown Chicago called, "Re-focus." That fits. This morning I heard a great message from a favorite radio preacher, Alistair Begg, teaching a thousand pastors from 2 Chronicles 20. He told us we're all "old, broken pots." That fits, too. He also told us to text our wives and tell them that's what Alistair Begg told us, "I'm an old, broken pot." They'll like that, he said. "They know it already." The battle is not ours, he said, it's the Lord's, so quit trying to fight the battle by yourself. "You're on God's team," he said.

I'm staying in a dormitory with another pastor from Michigan, I sat with a Korean pastor from Carson, CA, last night, and I'm dining in the cafeteria with a few pastors from South Dakota. Old broken pots, all of us!

Join Pastor Jim & Linda and Family on an 84 Day Journey this Summer.

It's time to ask God for direction for our church. Want to come along?

A sabbatical is a time to regain vision. Beginning May 15th, the Johnson's will spend 10 weeks on a spiritual journey. They will travel to Mammoth, Wyoming, Colorado, Alberta, and the Dakotas. They will stay in tents, cabins, spare rooms and condos – living out of suitcases at conferences, camps, dorms and retreats.

Join in and go on an 84-day adventure yourself. Read the four books below and take extended time to pray.  Slow down your pace. Jesus told his followers in Mark 6:31, “Come away by yourselves to a secluded place and rest awhile.” Let’s do that together: listen, rest and pray. Take time to ask God, “What do you want us to do next?”

During the summer, Good Shepherd will hold worship gatherings on Sundays at 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. Family Sunday School is a 9 a.m. Five teachers will guide and equip us. All five have long connections with our church. All are great Bible teachers. What books should you read? Besides Psalms and Proverbs, Pastor Jim is inviting us to read four books which will be available in May:

Summer Reading Books:

1) Follow Me by David Platt

2) Forgotten God by Francis Chan

3) Margin by Richard Swenson

4) Can the Pastor Do It Alone? by MJ.Steinbron

Books are available in the church office, contact the FrontPorch team at (805) 384-9243 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

This Summer's Teaching Schedule:

 Special Services:

June 16-19 • Pastor Oliver Olson • Bible Study Series: “Exploring the Old Testament”

June 16 • 9 AM Sunday School Hour

June 16 - June 18 • 7 PM Bible Study: “Exploring the Old Testament”

June 17 - June 19 • 10 AM Bible Study: “Exploring the Old Testament”

Check back again to find the latest news at Good Shepherd...

Summer Sabbatical: May 15 to August 15
An 84-day journey for Good Shepherd Church and Pastor Jim

May 15, 2013 -- After seven years in Camarillo, the Johnson family is taking a three-month sabbatical.

The following paragraphs explain the journey -- and lay out what the congregation and the Johnson family is going to be doing through the 12-week break.

Why a sabbatical?

A sabbatical is a time to regain vision. In 2006, when Good Shepherd called the Johnsons to Camarillo, the leadership team added a stipulation. After seven years, the family would set aside 12 weeks. They would go away and ask the Lord for plans and dreams. Beginning May 15, the Johnsons will spend 10 weeks on a spiritual journey. They will travel to Mammoth, Wyoming, Colorado, Alberta, and the Dakotas. They will stay in tents, cabins, spare rooms and condos – living out of suitcases at conferences, camps, dorms and retreats. ]

What’s in it for Good Shepherd?

Good Shepherd will get a new pastor with a clear vision and a church with a new direction. But they also will need to go on an 84-day adventure along with the Johnsons. "I'm encouraging you to spend the next weeks asking God where He wants you to go, our congregation to go, in the next seven years," says Pastor Jim. He's encouraging the church family to read the four books below and take extended time to pray. Slow down your pace.

Jesus told his followers in Mark 6:31, “Come away by yourselves to a secluded place and rest awhile.” Let’s do that together: listen, rest and pray. Take time to ask God, “What do you want us to do next?”

The plan:Five great teachers, and two summer service options...

During the summer, Good Shepherd will hold worship gatherings on Sundays at 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. Family Sunday School is a 9 a.m. Five teachers will guide and equip us. All five have long connections with our church. All are great Bible teachers. What books should you read? Besides Psalms and Proverbs, Pastor Jim is inviting us to read four books: 1) Follow Me by David Platt, 2) Forgotten God by Francis Chan, 3) Margin by Richard Swenson, and 4) Can the Pastor Do It Alone? By MJ.Steinbron. They will be available in May.

Our summer teaching schedule:An 84-day journey together

1. May 19, Michael Brandt, “Caring for your Pastor.” (Read: Margin, Swenson)

2. May 26, MW Brandt, “Caring for Your Pastor: II (Read: Margin, Swenson)

3. June 2, MW Brandt, “Caring for Your Pastor: III (Read: Pastor, Steinbron)

4. June 9, MW Brandt, “Caring for Your Pastor: IV (Read: Pastor, Steinbron)

5. June 16, Jon Nungester, “Holy Spirit Presence.” (Read: Forgotten God, 1)

   June 16-19, Bible Study: “Exploring the Old Testament,” Oliver Olson, 7 p.m.

6. June 23, Jon Nungester, “Holy Spirit Power.” (Read: Forgotten God, Part 2)

7. June 30, Jon Nungester, “Holy Spirit Gifts.” (Read: Forgotten God, Part 3)

8. July 7, Paul Nash, “Saved or Not? (Read: Follow Me, Part 1)

9. July 14, Paul Nash, “A Real Follower” (Read: Follow Me, Part 2, Platt)

10. July 21, Paul Nash, “Live the Difference.” (Read: Follow Me, Part 3)

11. July 28, Jon Nungester, “Holy Spirit Gifts.” (Read: Forgotten God, Part 4)

12. Aug. 4, Bob Halvorson, “The Call.” (Read: Follow Me, Platt)

13. Aug. 11, Bob Halvorson, “The Prize.” (Read: Follow Me, Platt)

Going on the journey with us?

Let the Lord take you on your next journey with us -- with Him!

Do you have a heart for cross-cultural neighborhood outreach?

Good Shepherd Church has an opening for ministry minded believers with a heart for children. In cooperation with two other churches, Good Shepherd has begun a neighborhood outreach for children called "The Big Backyard." Operating on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:30 to 5:00pm, the 4 acre campus is being opened to neighborhood kids and friends of Good Shepherd between the ages of 4-11. Good Shepherd is working with Pastor Pablo Torres, assistant Hugo Ramos, and Sempradores de Christo Church, a Spanish speaking congregation that meets on campus on Sunday afternoons. Cornerstone Community Church of Simi Valley has also partnered with the ministry. 

"I feel like we have to open up our campus to the neighborhood," says Good Shepherd pastor Jim Johnson. "Local police and other church leaders have told us that this is the only park like space in the nieghborhood. I believe that God wants us to start building bridges."

Former Good Shepherd interns Stephen Stoyko and Annaliese Nieman began the outreach in February. "The grounds need repair and we have to lay sod, we need a baseball backstop and we'd like to build more basketball courts, and a tot lot, but God is bringing people together. We hope to continually improve the play area." 

However, Good Shepherd still awaits a new director for the Big Backyard, the volunteer position involves 4-6 hours a week, the ability to recruit and encourage volunteers. "We're looking for the right kind of leader with a heart for the Lord and kids." said Pastor Johnson. The afterschool outreach incorporates soccer, basketball, baseball, tether-ball, and a myriad of interactive childrens games to promote sports skills and new friendships in the neighborhood. About 10-15 children have been gathering twice a week in the current outreach. 

 For more information contact the Front Porch office at 805-384-9243 or please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Sempradores Church meets every Sunday at the Good Shepherd Campus from 2:00 to 3:30pm. The new church plant is affiliated with the Assemblies of God.

Free After School Sports and Activities!

This activity will restart on Tuesday, August 7.  Come join us on Sunday, August 5, to celebrate the improvements God has provided to our Big Backyard.  We will have free food and beverages.  The Fire Department will bring one of their trucks, the Sheriff's Department is having a kid print booth, a Ventura Search and Rescue vehicle will be here...maybe even a K-9 unit.  Come join the us!!  Check out the yard and new play structure.  Get information about the Sports Clinics.  Learn about home work help. 

Good Shepherd Church is excited to partner with Sembradores de Cristo, a Spanish Church, in a new soccer ministry at Good Shepherd! Initiated by Stephen Stoyko, Stephen Quanbeck, and Annaliese Neiman we invited kids 5 and up to join us every Tuesday and Thursday at 3:30pm for soccer drills and scrimmages! Even though Steve and Annaliese have returned to Canada, the ministry they started continues to grow.  Meet us in the big backyard behind the Good Shepherd Church on 380 Arniell Road. We are especially excited to have opportunity to reach out to our neighbors on Barry Street, Fulton Street, and the entire neighborhood near the church.

Come Join us!  

New Starts and a Growing Family at Good Shepherd Church

A Weekly Baseball Clinic for Kids (Fridays, 1:30 p.m., at Valle Lindo Park)

• A neighborhood ministry called The Big Backyard meeting on Tuesdays and Thursdays (3:30-5 p.m.)  Children come together for free sports clinics.
• A weekly college-age gathering for young Twentysomethings (Hannah Johnson 384-9243)
• Three college-age interns serving us through the year (Bible college graduates from Minnesota)
• Starting Point classes for new contacts and friends on Sundays (at 10 a.m.)
• An adult choir of 20 voices (and counting!), rehearsals on Sunday mornings during the school year (9:55 to 10:30 a.m.)
• A growing youth group, called Crave, meeting on Sunday nights (5:30 to 7:30) with a veteran youth ministry teacher, Jon Nungester.

And a growing family of believers, who are looking to let Jesus Christ bring new starts in their lives.

Come and partner together with us -- we're learning together to serve the Lord.

Pastor Jim Johnson