Pastor Jeff Johnson, 1948-2024
After a lifetime of dedicated service to the Lord, Jeff Johnson, longtime pastor of Calvary Chapel Downey (CCD), CA, entered into his Master’s presence on February 13, 2024. Surrounded by his family singing worship songs, Jeff took the hand of His Savior, and was set free from his fight with cancer. His wife, Karyn, announcing Jeff’s arrival to his heavenly home, proclaimed, “He made it!”
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 2 Timothy 4:7
Birthed out of Jeff’s desire as a new Christian to share the Word of God, CCD began as a small Bible study under a gazebo in a Downey, CA, park. Over the years, the fruit of his walk with the Lord multiplied, and ministries such as Sound Doctrine radio, and The House of Ruth, and two Christian schools flourished. Last November, the congregation honored Jeff and Karyn’s 50 years of faithful ministry as he handed leadership of the church to Pastor Art Reyes. The theme, To God be the glory, great things He has done, is a fitting summary of what He brought forth from Jeff’s life.
Jeff and Karyn were known to have a great love of Israel. After stepping down as senior pastor, he announced to his fellowship a vision from the Lord for them: “We are being called to go to Israel and bless Messianic-believing Jews and help them get stronger in the Lord.”
During that transition service, Pastor Mike MacIntosh of the Calvary Chapel Association emphasized from Proverbs 18:24b that Jeff was a “friend who sticks closer than a brother. He is such a friend to all of us. He has found a place in our hearts from his teachings of the great God who loves you so very much.”
David Guzik of Enduring Word commended Jeff and Karyn: “You have been diligent; you’ve presented yourselves approved to God. You’ve been a worker who does not need to be ashamed, and you have rightly divided the Word of Truth.”
During a nostalgic clip in the service, Pastor Chuck Smith described Jeff’s past as a former drug dealer in Downey, but “the Lord drew him in and brought him to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ and transformed his life completely.”
“His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant.’” Matthew 25:21 a
A Celebration of Life service will be announced shortly.
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