John was born and raised in Southern California to a dedicated Christian family. His passion has always been growing in his faith and sharing that faith in Jesus with others. John started sharing his faith with classmates in elementary school and has not stopped since! From 1980 to 1984, John attended Azusa Pacific University studying Outdoor Recreation, with a minor in Bible. It was in college where John discovered his love for in depth study of the Scriptures and his gift for teaching.

 

Since college, John’s mission field has been the work place, where he currently works as the Director of Sales and Marketing for a distributor, as well as in lay ministries. He has served in various counseling positions at church camps, leading Bible Studies, leading worship (guitar), and seven years on the high school staff at Lake Avenue Church in Pasadena.

 

In November of 2003, John met Dwayna. In many ways her ministry, Lighting The Way International, has changed his life, or at least his weekends! John discovered through LTW that he could reach dozens, if not hundreds of people, within a one-mile range at Venice Beach.

 

One approach he uses to connect with some of these unreachable “Venetians” is photography. John usually carries a camera at Venice and asks if he can take pictures of the vendors and locals. Most give permission to this innovative idea of witnessing, and, before they know it, he has planted a seed for God’s kingdom and made a new friend. Praying for the people daily throughout the week, he returns to Venice the following Saturday, hands the wallet-size pictures to the people from the previous week, and rejoices in their gratitude and the smile it brings them when they see their mini portraits. John discovered that people who would normally never accept Biblical literature are willing to accept the verse and read it since their picture is on other side! This has been an effective way of connecting with strangers and creating an opportunity to naturally teach the Bible to these people.

 

On the back side of the photo, the Bible verse reads: For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” –Jeremiah 29:11.

 

John points out the verse on the back, and they often read it out loud, as if they have never read that verse before in their whole lives! Sometimes he just stands there and watches them staring at the verse, pondering its meaning. And he feels God’s pleasure, as he knows he is being a part of God’s work in this world.

 

John lives in Pasadena where he is active in the community, church, as well as with friends and family.

 

John can be reached at heyjt@altrionet.com