At the recent GCI Regional Conference in Orlando, Florida, GCI president Joseph Tkach, CAD director Dan Rogers and GCS president Russell Duke presented a service plaque and watches to Ted and Donna Johnston to mark Ted’s 25 years of full-time employment in the ministry of GCI.
In 1969, while attending Ambassador College in Pasadena, California, Ted began working in the college’s Department of Architecture and Engineering. To advance that work, Ted transferred in 1971 to California State Polytechnic University in Pomona while continuing to work for Ambassador College.
When, in 1972, the Architecture and Engineering Department was closed due to budget cuts, Ted continued at Cal Poly and went to work for EDAW, a firm of landscape architects that had served Ambassador College since 1948.
Following graduation from Cal Poly in 1974, Ted married Donna Graves. They lived for a time in Southern California where they attended GCI’s Santa Ana congregation. During that time, Ted worked with a team that pioneered Youth Opportunities United (Y.O.U.), the denomination’s youth program at the time.
In 1975, Ted’s job with EDAW took the couple to Colorado where they attended GCI’s Fort Collins congregation for 12 years. Ted served the church in preaching and counseling, and Ted and Donna served together in music and youth ministry. During the years in Fort Collins, Ted and Donna’s two children were born.
In 1987, Ted was ordained an elder and rehired by GCI—this time working full-time in pastoral ministry. The family was moved to Kansas where Ted served as associate pastor in the Kansas City South and Topeka, Kansas congregations. In 1990, they were transferred back to Colorado where Ted served as senior pastor in the Grand Junction and Craig churches, as GCI’s district youth ministry coordinator in the Rocky Mountain district, and as the coordinator of GCI’s Vail, Colorado festival site. During his years in Grand Junction, Ted completed a master’s degree in liberal studies (psychology) from Regis University in Denver.
In 1997, the family moved to Ohio where Ted served until 2000 as senior pastor of the Akron and Canton congregations. He then became the district superintendent for the northeast United States and co-director of GCI’s national youth ministry. In 2005, the scope of youth ministry broadened and was renamed Generations Ministries with Ted serving as its director until 2010.
In 2007, Ted completed a master’s degree in Christian studies from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. Then in 2009, he began his current assignment within GCI, serving on the Church Administration and Development (CAD) team as a ministry developer and coordinator of CAD media and communications. Ted continues to be part of the Generations Ministries leadership team and teaches part-time at Grace Communion Seminary. Ted and Donna now live in Foley, Alabama.
Congratulations to Ted and Donna!
Congratulations Ted…bet you still look like your old photos :)…anyway, thanks for your years of service but more importantly for your friendship.
Way to go Ted and Donna. Alix and I first remember you both over dinner at a restaurant in either Tulsa or Little Rock at a church conference in the early 90’s.I well remember you at the million man PK gathering in DC a long time ago You’ve been an inspiration and encouragement to me ever since. Love you bro’ Don
Congratulations Ted & Donna–the recognition is well deserved–thank you for your service, you have a special gift in teaching and warmth and concern for people–I am proud to be your friend.
Good to know more of your background, Ted. I’m glad you were honored for all the effort you have put forth to serve the people and ministry of GCI. You have excelled and led well in submission to Christ.
Congratulaltions Ted & Donna on your many years of service. Pamela told me that you had moved to Alabama to be near your Grandchildren! I fully understand that!
I pray many continued blessings on you! You are an inspiration!
Lovingly,
Mary L. Terry
Congratulations Ted and Donna. Thanks for all your service and your friendship.