Rebekah Anne (Baeder) Johnston
Rebekah Anne (Baeder) Johnston
Rebekah began her speaking ministry in 1989 when she was encouraged to share her testimony at a benefit for Metanoia Ministries located in Seattle, WA. Since then, God has continued to use her gifts as a speaker, exhorter, and teacher, free - lance writer and evangelist in various settings and to a variety of audiences. She has spoken at women and single's retreats, in churches, on high school and colleges campuses, in the prisons and on radio and television, etc. Her testimony, teachings and other writings have been published in newsletters, magazines, newspapers, books, etc.
Rebekah's messages present Christianity with a freshness and balance from God's word. Her willingness to be transparent about her own struggles and victories lends audiences hope and practical application. She will challenge and confront you, yet at the same time will encourage you with a heart-warming message of hope. Her unique blend of humor and compassion bring remarkable excitement to the greatest pursuit of life ----- following Jesus Christ, and allowing His grace to be sufficient, regardless of the circumstances.
In 1992, God called her to full time ministry at Metanoia Ministries as the Director of the Women's Ministry where her responsibilities include; in-take, phone and correspondence counseling, facilitating support groups, writing and speaking on homosexual issues as well as sharing her own testimony of healing from the bondage of homosexuality. At the same time she accepted a position as a Correctional Officer for the Washington State Department of Corrections.
It was through these life experiences that God prompted Rebekah to go back to school at the age of 42 to earn her Bachelors degree in Psychology. And indeed she did confer her degree from Western Washington University in June of 1998 at the age of 47. However, her graduation was nothing short of a miracle. In the beginning of her senior year she was diagnosed with Stage 4 Breast \Metastatic Bone Cancer. But by God's grace, she battled through her senior year while at the same time undergoing three surgeries, six months of chemotherapy treatments, radiation, and a battery of other tests and procedures.
Rebekah was accepted to Mars Hill Graduate School at Western Seminary’s Master of Arts in Counseling degree program where she was scheduled to start in the fall of 98’. However, due to the high dose chemotherapy and stem cell replacement treatment that was scheduled to start at the University of Washington, she had to postpone grad school.
In November of 1998, another negative bone scan report was received just before the intense treatment was to start at the UW. Rebekah cancelled all medical treatment after diligently seeking the Lord in prayer and Word. On December 3rd, God’s miracle MRI results came back showing NO SIGN of CANCER !!! PTL! She is now in her second year of grad school.
“It is a hinge point in history. A chink has been found in death’s armor. The keys to the halls of hell have been claimed… Life confronts death ---- and wins! The wind stops. The cloud blocks the sun and a bird chirps in the distance while a humiliated snake slithers between the rocks and disappears into the ground. The stage has been set for a confrontation at Calvary” Max Lucado – God Came Near, p.33.
Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” John 11:43.
Just as Jesus called Lazarus back from the dead so has he called me!
This proud mother of a married son, Scott (28 yrs.); daughter-in-law, Janet (29 yrs.); a daughter, Diona (27 yrs.) and a granddaughter, AnnMarie (7 yrs.) lives in the small, yet friendly Scandinavian farming community of Stanwood, WA. In addition to her speaking, Rebekah is in the labor stage of God birthing a new recovery and counseling ministry, Doorway of Hope Ministries, under the auspices of her home church, Stanwood Assembly of God, where she is presently facilitating support groups, is also active in the Women's Ministry, sings with the Praise and Worship Team, and frequently ministers in song through special music presentations.