Oklahoma couple, Dave and Debby Johnson, have served the Lord in Paul’s Valley at the same Pentecostal Holiness Church since the early 1980s.
Neither had a strong belief when growing up. Dave grew up Roman Catholic, attended church mostly to check out the girls, and adamantly believed God was not real. Debby grew up in a family who did not know much about God and let their children decide their own views.
However, this all changed after Dave accepted Jesus as his savior during his first visit to the Paul’s Valley Pentecostal Holiness Church that Debby attended. At the time, he was a Navy sailor who worked with submarine warhead guiding systems. Because of his work, Dave’s schedule was inconsistent, so he had never read the bible before. The co-worker who first invited Dave to church was anointed and well-versed, and with his help, Dave started reading God’s Word. He also began reading a book titled Eternal Generation that helped change his mindset and laid the foundation in Dave that took him from a dark place.
Just a month after being saved, Dave began experiencing horrible headaches. A doctor’s visit revealed that he had a brain tumor. After lots of tests, the tumor was determined to be inoperable, and Dave was given three years to live. With the threat of dying at just 28 years old, Dave, Deb, and those closest to them chose to pray for healing.
Isaiah 53:5 states, “and by His stripes we are healed”, and Dave was. When he returned to the doctor, there were no signs of cancer. The original scans were requested, and the doctor did not believe they could be from the same person. “People are uncomfortable with miracles,” Dave states. God healing him was an anchor for him. “He saved me,” Dave proclaims.
Deb has also struggled with kidney cancer and other health issues. Throughout her life, she has been reminded to trust God. Debby shares, “He has always come through for me. I’m not sure how others find peace in the middle of ugly things when they don’t have God.”
For the last 43 years, Dave and Deb have helped serve their church, community, and God’s kingdom in many ways. Since the 1980s, Dave has served as a youth pastor, Sunday School teacher, church secretary/treasurer, deacon, member of the administrative board, Men’s Ministry support, and participated in street ministries. Especially important to him is his time with youth ministries. He would watch young men and women testify, teach, and testify within the community and on different mission trips. “The fearlessness, faith, and willingness of kids to stand up and put themselves out there is just… it shows how God can and will use anyone who is willing,” Dave remembers.
Debby has served as a youth leader as well leading their drama team to 6 national wins in the 1990s! She was hesitant to become a Sunday School teacher though she would sub in if needed, but her real ministry was cooking. She was willing to cook for anyone or any event. She also helped in women’s ministries, served as the women’s ministries president for 11 years, and as the church treasurer for 11 years.
In 1999, their pastor’s wife was killed just before Christmas. Until a new pastor could be found, the board asked the Conference Superintendent for help filling the pulpit each Sunday morning. Dave stepped in and began teaching Sunday and Wednesday nights. The lesson? The New Testament. Dave has continued to lead this New Testament discussion each Wednesday for the last 24 years.
A few months later, Neil and Christy Barlow became the pastors. “We are very blessed by Pastors Neil and Christy Barlow. Their heart is for the community, and they are the witnesses we all should be. They model what being a Christian is meant to be, and they charge church members to be a presence in the community,” Deb reveals.
“As a ministry leader, we would not be able to make it without people like Dave and Debby Johnson! Their support, prayers, leadership, wisdom, and advice has helped us be the leaders and pastors we are today,” Pastor Neil Barlow shares.
Dave’s passion for youth ministries and Debby’s love of cooking came together when they were approached to support the kids’ bus program. Students who needed food never went without, and it allowed adults in the community to interact with these children who did not have anyone. Their breakfasts served 25-40 people each week and became a valuable time of fellowship. “It’s the most gratifying thing we’ve ever done,” Deb declares.
God continued to show his grace and mercy through the Johnsons’ granddaughter. After a negative diagnosis and difficult pregnancies, she was undergoing kidney surgery to address a tumor. At OU Medical, the nurse asked if she could lay hands on and pray for her. Afterwards, the doctor ran final tests just before surgery only to find that the tumor was no longer there. “I’m not sure why we get it, but God’s grace and mercy don’t have anything to do with deserving,” Debby affirms.
“We’re happy to brag on God. He has always moved when we really needed Him too. He is always on time, and He is great than anything the devil can through at Him.” the Johnsons continue, “Just like Romans 8:38-39 says, ‘I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow- not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love.’”
