Johanis interned in youth ministry here at GTCOTR a few years ago, before returning to his home country of Indonesia. Johanis and Christien minister to youth and adults in the regions surrounding Merauke, Indonesia, a predominantly Muslim region.

Each year, Johanis conducts a large youth camp, as well as regional youth camps in other areas through students he has trained. Johanis also has a ministry to prisoners called “Counselors for Christ.”

To support their ministry, Johanis and Christien started a growing laundry business, working many hours weekly. Although they are busy with work, they still manage time for ministry.

This year, together with Christien’s brother and other pastors, Johanis trecked 3 hours and then took boats 8 hours up a river into Papua, New Guinea to reach the village of Wandow. For 8 days, they preached and taught the Word of God, baptized 6 converts, conducted weddings, saw marriages restored, had youth outreaches and games and dedicated children to the Lord – all the while sleeping each night on floor mats in a typical open air jungle house.

Johanis’ prison ministry continues, both to men and women. Jared, a local missionary, has recently started a sports ministry through which five people have already accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior.