Curriculum Vitae

Date of Birth
August 26, 1959

Place of Birth
Zeeland, MI

Marital Status
Married Jerry R. Johnston in 1979

Children
Danielle Newsome, 1979, BS in Religion, Liberty University (2002)
Dr. Jeremiah Johnston, 1981, Ph.D. in New Testament Studies, Middlesex University/Oxford Centre for Mission Studies (2013)
Jenilee Mullikin, 1985, BS in Religion: Biblical and Theological Studies, Liberty University (2016)

Education
DMin, Acadia University-Acadia Divinity College (2012)

Creativity is the driving passion of any project Cristie Jo Johnston pursues.  Utilizing it as her specialized skill, she embraces opportunities within the world of originality and vision.  Multiple leaders have said, "Cristie Jo is one of the most creative people I know, and this extraordinary gift makes her stand out!" She applies four decades of education, experience, and entrepreneurism to inspire and cultivate creative influence while connecting with audiences and leaders on various platforms and in strategic meetings. Whether working with organizations, churches, or children while storytelling from her Lil Cristie Chronicle book series, “creativity” gives Cristie Jo the advantage. As a content creator, she understands the dynamics to produce intentional components for culturally relevant content.

AUTHOR

Escape to Freedom: The Real-Life Events of One Man’s Relentless Pursuit for Freedom (405pp), escapetofreedombook.com is an extraordinary true post-World War II adventure of a man and a woman who struggle to survive, and the sacrifices made to find freedom, love, hope, and redemption in a new world. Cristie Jo co-authored this work with her father, Alois Huf. The epic narrative details the actual events of Alois, an escapee from communist Czechoslovakia, who spent nearly twenty years separated from his family while living in refugee camps as a displaced person. The book also chronicles the horrendous childhood journey of Poldie Huf, Cristie Jo’s mother, as her nine-member family experienced deportation from the Sudetenland into Austria, living homeless in ditches and horse stables.  Escape To Freedom includes six distinctive bible/small group studies delineating teaching and character-building themes like resilience, initiative, courage, persistence, purpose, hope, spiritual regeneration, integrity, leadership, entrepreneurship, and personal witness.

COMMUNICATOR

“Cristie Jo is one of the most dynamic, passionate, and clear presenters that I’ve been around. She connects with people and has an innocence about her that motivates others to follow.”

--Dayton Moore, General Manager, Kansas City Royals Baseball Team

Communication skills are a gift.  Cristie Jo recognizes any presentation is only as good as the creativity behind the message and how it impacts your audience. As a presenter and teacher, she has spoken to leaders on various platforms, including the National Day of Prayer at the invitation of Shirley Dobson (Family Talk), in Washington, DC. In addition, she presents with her husband, Dr. Jerry Johnston, in hundreds of churches and venues throughout North America on leadership, family, and faith.

COMMITMENT TO HIGHER EDUCATION

In 2003, Cristie Jo joined the rising demographic of mothers who made a conscious decision to go back to school to finish their formal training. Her affection and appreciation for higher education prompted Cristie Jo to engage in serious discussions with her husband as their youngest child was anticipating graduation from high school and heading off to college. They realized it was the right time for Cristie Jo to enroll and begin investing in some of her academic dreams. Balancing domestic obligations, church responsibilities, and a full-time course load would prove challenging, but Cristie Jo went on to earn not only her BA but an MDiv and DMin as well. She continues to champion and encourage moms to pursue their academic ambitions. Cristie Jo’s unique scholarship is enhanced by years of study with her mentor, Professor Craig A. Evans, Ph.D., DHabil, the John Bisagno Distinguished Professor of Christian Origins for the School of Christian Thought at Houston Baptist University. Professor Evans served as Cristie Jo’s doctoral supervisor during her studies at Acadia Divinity College in Nova Scotia, Canada, where she wrote her thesis on “Examining the Challenges Pastors and Their Families Encounter After A Period of Overwhelming Ministry Stress And Developing A Strategy For Their Overall Health.”  Add link here for Dissertation

CRITICAL CHRISTIAN THINKING

Cristie Jo possesses the spiritual gifts of teaching and training that are complemented by the gifts of leadership, evangelism, faith, administration, and mercy. Cristie Jo is an ardent, lifelong student of God’s Word. Her presentations are marked by theological substance with skilled application and delivery to her listeners of various ages and gender. Her Bible study class and weekly local television program experienced rapid growth, with nearly 500 people enrolled.

Cristie Jo’s teaching experience in systematic theology and ministry experience has prepared her for effective communication in spiritual formation. Numerous men and women she helped mentor have entered full-time Christian service. Cristie Jo’s desire in life is to be a critically thinking Christian who produces and proclaims relevant content to a biblically illiterate generation. She is passionate about equipping her students, children, grandchildren, and the next generation with every resource and tool necessary to communicate solid, critical, thought-based questions and answers to scholars, skeptics, and leading Christian advocates.  Since 2013, Cristie Jo and her husband, Jerry, have filmed with global leaders to amass a vault of research in Christian Critical Thinking. The Johnstons are currently indexing the data for utilization in a Christian Critical Thinking Center for Belief & Unbelief™ with courses in Critical Thinking, Communication in a Post-Modern World, Apologetic Method, Film, Visual Arts, and Cultural Engagement, Science of Everyday Thinking, Intro to Critical and Creative Thinking, Science of Learning, Leadership, Changes, and Ethics, Persuasion and Propaganda, and Argument Analysis, among many other important topics.

CHILDREN’S PICTURE BOOK AUTHOR/STORYTELLER

Storytelling creates an environment where children come alive, allowing them time to imagine, learn, love and dream.  Cristie Jo is a creative storyteller and is currently writing the children’s picture book series titled “Lil Cristie Chronicles. ™” Emanating from adventurous, real-life childhood experiences that keep her nine grandchildren captivate and perpetually curious, Cristie Jo recognizes these storytelling moments as intentional opportunities to communicate strong character and value lessons like kindness, respect, truth-telling, reliability, giving, reinforcing solid principles, and celebrating victories. Each “Lil Cristie Chronicle™” invites curiosity and a sense of wonder for the young minds while engaging the heart to hunt for spiritual truth.

Loving parents raised Cristie Jo Huf in a Christian home. Her father escaped to West Germany from communist Czechoslovakia in 1949 at 19 years old, and her mother experienced the brutality of World War II while being shipped on cattle cars after the reign of Adolf Hitler. In 1952, Cristie Jo’s parents met in Germany and married. A missionary couple living near the Hufs’ small apartment came to their home, shared Christ’s love, and committed their lives to God. Soon after, a supporting church in Hudsonville, Michigan, arranged for the Hufs to immigrate to America to start the new life Cristie Jo’s father had always dreamed of as a teenager.

From the beginning of their faith experience, Cristie Jo’s parents hoped one of their six children would enter the vocational Christian ministry. Cristie Jo had always possessed a seeking and tender heart toward God and spiritual things. Still, her faith journey was interrupted during her teenage years due to a physically and emotionally abusive relationship at the hands of her boyfriend. Upon graduating from high school, Cristie Jo pursued a passion for the beauty industry through cosmetology. With her formal training finished, graduating with academic honors, and state boards complete, the hope of a successful career was in clear view. However, her dream was crushed after receiving a letter of rejection from the Michigan State Board of Cosmetology indicating she failed her written examination.

Distraught, Cristie Jo looked to God for help. That same week, she accepted her father’s invitation to attend a particular church gathering to hear a young evangelist, Jerry Johnston, at Calvary Baptist Church in Holland, Michigan, in October of 1978. That night, Cristie Jo’s heart was spiritually touched. The following day, she received an apology letter from the Michigan State Board of Cosmetology for their error, informing her that the test scores had been reviewed, and she had passed and graduated with academic honors.

Jerry and Cristie Jo continued to correspond and began dating while discussing spiritual matters. On November 9, 1978, after a detailed discussion about God’s love and redemption, Cristie Jo committed her life to Christ and soon felt an undeniable tug on her heart toward full-time ministry.

The couple began dating and married five months after meeting. It was a match made in Heaven, and the Johnstons have now enjoyed many rewarding years of marriage, family, ministry, and career opportunities. Together, they have raised three married children and have eleven grandchildren.

Click here for further reading regarding our DMin education.

DMin, Acadia University-Acadia Divinity College: Wolfville, Nova Scotia, Canada (2012)
Thesis: “Examining The Challenges Pastors And Their Families Encounter Emerging From A
Period of Overwhelming Ministry Stress, And Developing A Strategy For Their Overall Health” http://scholar.acadiau.ca/islandora/object/theses:244 

Click here for further reading regarding my DMin education

MDiv, Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary: Kansas City, MO (2009), Christian Education
Awarded with Highest Honors

BA, Midwestern Baptist College: Kansas City, MO (2007), Biblical Studies
Awarded with Highest Honors

Diploma in Advanced Biblical Studies, Liberty University (LHBI): Lynchburg, VA, (2005) 

Cosmetology, Lou-Rog School of Hair Design: Holland, MI (1978)
Graduated with Academic & Appearance Excellence and Awards in Hair Design & Haircutting

High School Diploma, Hudsonville High School: Hudsonville, MI (1977)

Cristie Jo receiving her DMin from Acadia Divinity College, 2012

Expertise

• Christian Content Creator
• Researcher/Designer
• Bible Teaching
• Author

Originator

• Christian Critical Thinking Filming and Curriculum – Content
• The Power and Influence of Christian Strong™
• IG Transmedia (S-Corp), Managing Partner (igtransmedia.com)
• Intentional God (501-C-3)

Author

• Escape to Freedom: The Real-Life Events of One Man’s Relentless Pursuit for Freedom (escapetofreedombook.com)
• Lil Cristie Chronicles: Children's Picture Book Series

Teaching

• Bible: Old and New Testaments
• Spiritual Formation
• Evangelism
• Apologetics
• Family and Marriage Enrichment

Project, Content Creator, Co-Executive Producer of “The Power and Influence of Christian Strong”™
June 2013 – Present

The “The Power and Influence of Christian Strong”™ project is a multilayer, global endeavor that includes a docuseries, trade books, Critical Christian Thinking Center, Curious Thinking for Little Ones, theme song, teaching, and leadership lessons for Bible studies/small groups/pastoral sermons, a weekly television show, and a live, 24-hour “The Power and Influence of Christian Strong”™ movement with a viral challenge. Additionally, the project will raise awareness and volunteerism.

Dr. Arif Ahmed, Senior Lecturer, University of Cambridge
Ayaan Hirsi Ali, Atheist, Former Muslim, and Founder of the AHA Foundation
Mark Anderson, Leader of Youth With a Mission (YWAM)
Dr. Peter Atkins, Oxford Professor & Influential Atheist
Dr. Julian Baggini, British Philosopher & Writer
Dr. Joseph Baker, Associate Professor in Sociology and Anthropology, Author
Andy Bannister, Apologist, Speaker & Author
Mike Bickle, Director of the International House of Prayer Missions Base
Susan Blackmore, British Psychologist & Atheist, (London, England)
Robyn Blumner, President & CEO of the Richard Dawkins Foundation
Justin Brierley, Senior Editor of Premier Christianity Today Magazine
Peter William Brierley, UK Statistician & Author
Dr. Stephen Bullivant: Senior Lecturer in Theology and Ethics at St. Mary’s University in England (Oxford)
Dr. James Charlesworth, Princeton Theological Seminary’s George L. Collord Professor of New Testament Language & Literature
Alan Cooperman, Director of Religion Research at Pew Research (Washington, DC)
Dr. William Lane Craig, Christian Apologist, Debater & Philosopher
Michael Cromartie, Former Vice President of the Ethics and Public Policy Center (deceased)
John Dominic Crossan, Irish-American New Testament Scholar & Former Catholic Priest
Dr. James Crossley, Professor of Bible, Society & Politics at St. Mary’s University in England
Dr. Stephen Davis, Russell K. Pitzer Professor of Philosophy at Claremont McKenna College
Dr. Richard Dawkins, Emeritus Fellow of New College, Oxford & Author of “The God Delusion”
Dr. Abby Day, BA Religion Program Leader for Goldsmiths University of London
Greg Epstein, Humanist Chaplain at Harvard University, Author (Cambridge, MA)
Dr. Craig A. Evans, HBU John Bisagno Distinguished Professor of Christian Origins
Dr. Stephen Evans, Author and Baylor University Professor (Waco, TX)
Dr. Miguel Farias: Lecturer & Director of Studies in Psychology for Scholarship & Christianity in Oxford
Dr. John Fea, Chair of the History Department at Messiah College
Dr. Teddi Fishman, Director for the International Center for Academic Integrity
David Fitzgerald, Former Christian, Atheist & Activist
Dr. Paul Foster, Professor of New Testament Language, Literature & Theology at the University of Edinburgh
Dr. Gladys Ganiel, Research Fellow in the Institute for the Study of Conflict Transformation and Social Justice at Queen’s University Belfast
Dr. A.C. Grayling, Master of the New College of the Humanities in London
Dr. Gary Habermas, Chairman of the Department of Philosophy & Theology at Liberty University
Dr. Conrad Hackett, Associate Director of Research at Pew Research Center
Peter Hitchens, Journalist & Author of “The Rage Against God: How Atheism Led Me to Faith”
Dr. (Sir) Colin Humphreys, Director of Research at Cambridge University
John Ioannou, International Evangelist & Author (London, England)
Dr. Philip Jenkins, Co-Director for Baylor University’s Institute for Studies of Religion
Penn Jillette, Half of the Penn & Teller Duo, Entertainer & Atheist (Washington, DC)
Dr. Byron J. Johnson, Co-Director for Baylor University’s Institute for Studies of Religion
Dr. Ariela Keysar, Associate Research Professor, Associate Director of the Institute for the Study of Secularism in Society and Culture
Dr. Thomas Kidd, Distinguished Professor of History for Baylor University (Waco, TX)
Dr. Barry Kosmin, Research Professor, Director of the Institute for the Study of Secularism in Society and Culture (Hartford, CT)
Mark Lanier, Attorney, Author (Houston, TX)
Dr. Jonathan Lanman, Assistant Director of the Institute of Cognition and Culture at Queen’s University Belfast
Dr. Stephen Law, Lecturer on Philosophy & Theology at Heythrop College at the University of London
Dr. Lois Lee, Project Leader of the Scientific Study of Nonreligious Belief Project
Dr. John Lennox, Professor of Mathematics at the University of Oxford & Christian Debater
Dr. Michael Licona, Founder and President of Risen Jesus, Author, Professor
Dr. Tim Mawson, Philosophy Fellow at St. Peters’ College, University of Oxford
Dr. Alister McGrath, Director of the Ian Ramsey Centre for Science and Religion at the University of Oxford
Mark Mittelberg, Author, Speaker & Leading Strategist in Evangelism
Dr. J.P. Moreland, Distinguished Professor of Philosophy at Biola University
Sarah Moorhead, Executive Director of Recovering from Religion (Memphis, TN)
William (Bill) J. Murray, Chairman of the Religious Freedom Coalition (Frederick, VA)
Bill Nye, Television Personality & CEO of The Planetary Society (Washington, DC)
Dr. Josh Packard, Associate Professor in Sociology, Executive Director, Springtide Research Institute
Nancy Pearcey, Apologist, Author & Professor
Dr. Anthony Pinn, Professor of Religious Studies at Rice University
Dr. Brant Pitre, Professor of Sacred Scriptures at Notre Dame Seminary
Dr. Nabeel Qureshi, Christian Apologist, Author & Former Muslim (deceased)
David Robertson, Minister of St. Peter’s Free Church in Dundee, Scotland
Frank Schaeffer, Best-selling Author, Film Director & Public Speaker
Dr. Jens Schroter, Chair & Professor of Exegesis and Theology of New Testament and New Testament Apocrypha at the Humboldt University of Berlin
Dr. Chris Sinkinson, Lecturer for Moorlands Christian Theology and Training College & Pastor
David Silverman, President of American Atheists
Gregory Smith, Associate Director of Pew Research (Washington, DC)
Nick Spencer, Director of Research at Theos, a Think Tank (London, England)
Dr. Rodney Stark, Baylor University Professor, Author & Past President of the Society for the Scientific Study of Religion and of the Association for the Sociology of Religion (Waco, TX)
Todd Stiefel, President of the Stiefel Freethought Foundation (Memphis, TN)
Lee Strobel, Author & Teacher (Houston, TX)
Dr. Richard Swinburne, Emeritus Professor of Philosophy at the University of Oxford & Author
Muhammad Syed, President of the Ex-Muslims of North America
Mandisa Thomas, Founder of Black Nonbelievers
Mark Tooley, President of the Institute of Religion & Democracy (Washington, DC)
Dr. James M. Tour, Scientist & Rice University Professor (Houston, TX)
Melissa Cain Travis, Assistant Professor of Apologetics, Author & Speaker
Dr. Michael Uch: German Psychologist, Psychotherapist & Psychologist of Religion
Dr. Simon Vibert, Director of the School of Preaching, Wycliffe Hall, Oxford
Dr. Daniel Von Wachter, Director of the International Academy of Philosophy in the Principality of Liechtenstein
Dr. Michael Ward, Professor at the University of Oxford & Houston Baptist University; C.S. Lewis Expert
Dr. Peter J. Williams, Warden of the Tyndale House in Cambridge; Lecturer at University of Cambridge
Peter S. Williams, Christian Philosopher, Apologist & Assistant Professor at Gimlekollen School of Journalism and Communication in Norway
Dr. John Wilsey, Associate Professor for the Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary & Author of “One Nation Under God: An Evangelical Critique of Christian America”
Lizz Winstead, Co-creator & Writer for “The Daily Show”
Dr. Ben Witherington, III, Professor of New Testament Interpretation at Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky & Pastor
Dr. Linda Woodhead, Professor in the Department of Politics, Philosophy and Religion at Lancaster University; Religion Researcher
Dr. Nicholas Thomas Wright, British New Testament Scholar & Retired Anglican Bishop
Dr. Phil Zuckerman, Professor of Sociology at Pitzer College in Claremont, California & Author

Cristie Jo interviewing Professor Richard Dawkins, atheist, and author of “The God Delusion,” 2017

Project Author of the upcoming “Lil Cristie Chronicles” ™ Children’s Picture Book Series
June 2017 – Present

Cristie Jo with her grandchildren; Front row: Jaxson, Justin, Savannah Jo, Sadie, Cristie Jo, Lily Faith, Ryder; Back row: Abel, Kasey, and Christian, 2018

(Dr. Cristie Jo Johnston was invited to enroll as a Ph.D. student at Trinity College in Bristol, United Kingdom.) “[We] consider the focus of your research to be of huge importance, and we are strongly interested in it and in the fact that you have achieved significant resources to conduct the research.”
- Revd. Dr. Howard Worsley, Vice Principal, Tutor in Missiology 

Founder & Author
“Lil Cristie Chronicles” ™
January 2018 - Present 

Project Content Creator & Co-Executive Producer of “The Power and Influence of Christian Strong” ™
June 2013 – Present

Creator & Coordinator
Critical Christian Thinking Center for Higher Education and Laity

Professor, Department of Theology
School of Christian Thought
Executive Producer and Screenwriter
Houston Christian University: October 2014 – October 2020 

Managing Partner
I.G. Transmedia, LLC

Founder & Director
Intentional God, Inc.

Church Planter
1996-2012

Co-Founder
Jerry Johnston Ministries Association, Inc.
1979

Founder & Director
Open Arms Women's Events

Founder & Director
Chesalon Comfort Circles

Founder, Presenter, Author & Teacher-Mentor
W.O.W. (Wisdom on the Way) Weekly, Co-ed Bible Study & TV Program

Founder
About Forever 

Founder & Director
LOTT (Lighting of the Trees)

“12 Traits of a Spiritually Mature Man and Woman,” 12-Lesson Series/James

“My Bible: The Big Picture, The Bottom Line, and What's In It for Me?” 99 Systematic Teaching Presentations from Every Book of the Bible

“Psalms: 150 Inspired Prayers Turned to Praise,” 12 Lessons

“Tackling Life's Toughest Questions with A Bible Response,” 12 Lessons

“The Highway to Holiness,” Six Lessons

“WDJD: What Did Jesus Do In the Very Beginning, In-Birth, In Life, In Death, In the Resurrection?” Eight Lessons on the Life of Jesus

“Examining The Challenges Pastors And Their Families Encounter Emerging From A Period of Overwhelming Ministry Stress, And Developing A Strategy For Their Overall Health”
Unpublished Doctoral Dissertation, Acadia University-Acadia Divinity College: Nova Scotia Canada, 2012. Currently under review for publication.

“AIDS Among Teens,” Producer, Researcher & Interviewer with Pedro Zamora (now deceased), MTV’s “Real World: New York City”

“Decisions and Consequences: Inside Death Row at the Kentucky State Penitentiary”
Producer; Word Publishing; Plano, Texas

“The Power and Influence of Christian Strong” ™

“Inside the Oklahoma State Penitentiary's Death Row,” Producer; Interview with Sean Sellers, Teenage Killer, and Satanist

“Israel: In the Footsteps of Jesus”

“Jordan/Petra”

“Life Exposé: Inside Teenage America,” By the Jerry Johnston Association

“Rome”

“The Edge of Evil: Satanism and Teenagers”

 “Turkey: Retracing the Steps of the Apostle Paul”

Willie Aames, Actor

Dennis Agajanian, Christian Musician and Guitarist

Stephen and Kennya Baldwin, Actors

Jim Caviezel, Actor, “The Passion of the Christ”

Andraé Crouch, Gospel Singer & Songwriter                                                                                          

Delilah, Radio Host

Dr. James & Shirley Dobson, Family Matters

Ruth Graham, Author & Daughter of Evangelist Billy Graham

MC Hammer, Rapper & Pastor

Hank Hanegraaff, President, Christian Research Institute

Dino & Cheryl Kartsonakis, American Sacred Pianist

Tim LaHaye, Author & Speaker

Mark Lowry, Christian Comedian, Singer & Songwriter

Stormie Omartian, Christian Speaker & Bestselling Author of “The Power of Praying” Series

Smokey Robinson, Singer-Songwriter & Record Producer

Jay Sekulow, Attorney, ACLJ

Phil Stacey, American Idol Finalist, Season 6

Randy Travis, Country Music Artist

CeCe Winans, Gospel Singer & Grammy Award Winner

50-Second Walk to Prayer

AAAAA Diamond Event, Presenter on Marriage

Acadia Divinity College Chapel, April 2013

America is Bleeding

Beauty for Ashes Conference

Beauty for Ashes Conference: Tackling The "S" Problem in Marriage

Blessed Among Women Conference

Capture America TV Show

Create in Me A New Heart Conference

Essentials for A Dynamite Marriage Conference

Fill My Cup Lord Conference

How to Minister to Families Affected by Suicide

iLove Marriage Conference

Making Friends Forever: Evangelistic Launch of “About Forever” Website

Marriage: What Every Woman Wants in A Man

Ministerial Ordination of Dr. James Dobson’s son, Ryan Dobson; Charge to Laura Dobson, (2007)

National Day of Prayer, Holly Prayer Time Keynote Presenter & Participant with Christian Leader and President George W. Bush in The White House

Shaping Your Vision for Life Conference

Primerica Leadership Events, Presenter on Marriage

The Gathering Church Pastor’s Conference, Pigeon Forge, TN

The Gathering Church Pastor’s Conference

The Names of God: El Roi and Immanuel

Your Miracle in The Mirror of Mark (Mark 3)

"A woman I didn’t recognize and had never met stood at the podium to speak at an event planned for the National Day of Prayer in Washington, DC. Her radiant smile shined Jesus. There was tender love in her voice for those she addressed as she spoke. After the meeting, I pushed my way to where she stood. ‘I just want to meet you because you radiated the love of Jesus today in an amazing way,’ I told her. ‘Thank you for ushering us into God’s presence with your engaging style and practical suggestions for passionate prayer.’ Of course, Cristie Jo, that woman was you."

- Bobbie Wolgemuth, Literary Representation, Wolgemuth & Associates, Inc.

"Cristie Jo Johnston brings a perfect storm of theological insight, practical experience, and passion to a conference. Cristie Jo is known for taking Christian women from complacency to competency as Christian leaders in the home and the workplace. Whether in the local community or on the national scene as a speaker for the National Day of Prayer in Washington, DC, Cristie Jo conveys confidence in the Word of God that is contagious and real."

-Dr. Rodney Harrison, Vice President for Institutional Effectiveness, Dean of Online Education & Associate Professor of Christian Education, Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary

"I served as chair of the National Day of Prayer Task Force, and Cristie Jo accepted my invitation to speak at our Capitol Hill event in Washington, DC. Her message on that occasion confirmed the strength of her convictions regarding core biblical issues relevant to the nation and the church. She is a very effective speaker and leader, and the Lord used her in a special way that day." With great joy, I recommend my good friend, Cristie Jo Johnston, for consideration for the Doctoral Studies Program.  I have known Pastor Jerry and Cristie Jo since September 2007. I have witnessed Cristie Jo as a faithful wife, devout mother, enthusiastic grandmother, and effective Bible teacher for many years.  Cristie Jo has shown excellent leadership ability throughout her decades of full-time ministry, as seen in her heart for the hurting by founding two ministries that she remains actively involved with: Chesalon Comfort Circles, a weekly Christian support group ministry, and Open Arm’s Women’s Ministry.

- Shirley Dobson, Former Chairwoman, National Day of Prayer and wife of Dr. James Dobson, Family Talk.

"Cristie Jo Johnston is one of the most dynamic, passionate, and clear presenters of God’s word that I’ve been around. She connects with people and has an innocence about her that motivates others to follow."

- Dayton Moore, General Manager, Kansas City Royals Baseball Team

“Cristie Jo has participated with her husband, Jerry, for several years as a keynote speaker in multiple marriage seminars that usually last for two days. In addition to speaking multiple times a month, Cristie Jo is the author of a book, which is a 99-message Bible study entitled; ‘My Bible: The Big Picture; The Bottom Line; and What’s in it for Me.’ She is the creator of the Chesalon Comfort Circles, weekly meetings of people with various specific struggles. Cristie Jo’s many activities as Sunday school teacher, author, Comfort Circle creator and leader, board member of a mega-church plant, wife and advisor to her pastor husband, and other activities require intense weekly research and scholarly writing.”

- The Honorable Judge Robert G. Ulrich, Retired from the Missouri Western District Court of Appeals & Former United States District Attorney

“Cristie Jo is, first and foremost, a devoted follower of the Lord Jesus. I know from personal interactions with her that she is a woman of prayer and a woman of the Word. She also is deeply committed to sharing her faith in Christ through personal and mass evangelism. I have seen her personally minister one-on-one to people in the name of Christ, and I had also heard her speak to thousands at a time when she issued a clear, clarion call for people to respond to the Gospel. This evidence of a solid and abiding personal faith is supplemented by her commitment to solitude, study, fasting, worship, and many other disciplines practiced by mature believers throughout history. While balancing her commitment to Christ, Cristie Jo has maintained a delicate balance with family, local church ministry, and academics since I have known her. Cristie Jo is an absolutely commanding communicator. She is, hands down, the single-best female communicator I have ever heard. She is among the finest communicators and teachers I have ever met, regardless of gender. She is capable of reeling in her audience in a disarming manner but dropping an atomic weapon of truth on everyone present, leading to enormous spiritual fallout and a powerful radiation of God’s power. Cristie Jo has a rare type of clarity with her ideas and understandings of biblical truths that are easily translated on the written page. I have seen dozens of pieces she has written, each marked by depth mingled with practicality. Some good speakers cannot capture the drama of a live event and encode that energy onto the written page – not so with Cristie Jo. This is another of her formidable talents that have been supernaturally enabled through the skillful exercise of her spiritual gifts.”

-Dr. Frederick Cardoza, Dean of Grace Theological Seminary and the School of Ministry Studies at Grace College

"I have had Cristie Jo as a student in a classroom situation at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, and she was one of the most perceptive students I have had the pleasure of teaching. She gave a verbal presentation before the class, which was not only very well-prepared but of such depth and quality that she set the curve for the rest of the class."
-Dr. Mike McMullen, Professor of Church History & Director of Collegiate Program, Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary

"Cristie Jo possesses all the skillsets, spiritual gifts, and ministry experiences that accompany extraordinary leaders. I find her to be a remarkable woman of God on the mission of God who gets the Great Commission and coaches others to get it as well. She is an active, intentional personal evangelist. Her outstanding devotion to the Lord, her husband, her family, her church, and her community gives her an excellent platform to coach others to grow toward this kind of exceptional life in Christ."

-Dr. Cky John Carrigan, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary

"I have had Cristie Jo in some courses at MBTS, and I have found her to be a capable and conscientious student. Her contributions to our class discussions in Christian Ethics indicated an abundance of ministerial ‘street-smarts,’ based on extensive contact with real people and their real problems. Her manner of presentation and thought were reliably high-class, giving me no hesitation in predicting that she would flourish still more if given the kinds of ministry opportunities in which your organization specializes.”

- Dr. Thorvald Madsen II, Vice President for Academic Affairs, Professor of New Testament, Ethics and Philosophy, Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary

"In a world temporarily ruled by the prince of darkness, what a privilege it is to be in God’s army of warriors alongside Cristie Jo Johnston. True character, they say, is tested in the ‘foxholes’ of life, and Cristie Jo has passed the tests that God has allowed her to experience. As a fellow soldier, I am happy to be in the battle with her ‘watching my back.’”

- Judy Smith, State Director, Concerned Women for America

"I can heartily recommend Cristie Jo for any endeavor that requires speaking and teaching expertise, devotion to duty, a willing heart, a sympathetic and understanding attitude, intelligence, a talent for fostering personal relationships, a love of family, and the love of Christ."

- James Jenkins, Attorney, Formerly of Alliance Defense Fund & Focus on the Family

"Cristie Jo is the teacher of a long-standing and successful Bible study class, and she is also in demand as a conference leader and Bible teacher on the national and local levels. Cristie Jo is an excellent student. She writes with clarity and passion and is able to speak to the needs of others. Cristie Jo communicates the hope of the Gospel in effective and winsome ways. She has earned several theological degrees, including her doctorate of ministry."

-Dr. Stephen Andrews, Professor of Old Testament, Hebrew and Archaeology & Director of the Ph.D. Program, Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary

(Contact information available upon request)

Dr. Jay Allen Sekulow
Chief Counsel & Founder
American Center of Law and Justice

Lee Strobel
Lee Strobel Ministries
www.leestrobel.com

Dr. Craig A. Evans
John Bisagno Distinguished Professor of Christian Origins
Houston Baptist University
[email protected] | [email protected]

The Hon. Robert Ulrich
Retired Judge and Attorney
Missouri Western District Court of Appeals & Department of Justice
[email protected]

Jeff Anderson
Ministry Leader
Leadership Inc.
[email protected]

Jeremiah Johnston
President and Founder
Christian Thinkers Society
[email protected]