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The Fund
To remember their son, Darrell and Sharon Johnson have helped establish the Alexei Daniel Johnson Fund through Living Waters Canada. Alex took his life in the summer of 2009, after many years of personal challenges. As a way to offer hope to young people, the Johnsons are encouraging individuals and churches to give to the fund, which is necessary to financially support and expand the reach of The River -- the youth ministry of Living Waters Canada.
The River
An interactive discipleship program, The River helps young people explore and understand God's desire for relationships and sexuality. Combining biblical foundations with thought-provoking teaching, The River provides a safe place to learn and be heard. Volunteer leaders share about their own journeys through struggles, and facilitate times of teaching and prayer so that young people can apply Christ-centred hope and truth to their lives. Find out more about The River.
The Opportunity
In order for The River to expand its reach in Canada, funds are needed to support this youth ministry. Monies given to Living Waters Canada and designated to the Alexei Daniel Johnson Fund may be used to create innovative discipleship lessons, produce multimedia materials, network with young adult ministries, train and equip volunteer leaders, develop a youth-friendly website, and establish The River in churches and schools across Canada.
Find out how you can contribute to the fund.
The Launch
On April 9, 2010, Living Waters Canada, together with Darrell and Sharon Johnson, launched the Alexei Daniel Johnson Fund. At this event, the Johnsons shared personal stories and remembrances of their son’s life—as a way to highlight the significance and importance of The River’s ministry to young people. Listen to the Johnson’s message from the launch event (coming soon).
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"Alex came to us after living for 10 years in an orphanage -- a caring one, but an orphanage nonetheless. He simply did not experience the kind of relational love we ordinarily do growing up in a family. He came to us with all kinds of complex relationship and boundary issues. However, he came to know Jesus in wonderful ways.
As a family, we loved him as best we could. But the 'stuff' he carried needed more attention than we or our local church could give him. For the past decade or so, we wished that he could have been part of a River-like experience. Had he had such an opportunity in his adolescent years, we wonder if he would not have found himself in the place he was, when he felt he had no other option but to take his life.
So we want to do what we can to make it possible for other young people to experience the healing of Jesus' living waters."
Darrell and Sharon Johnson
Darrell serves as senior pastor at First Baptist Church in Vancouver, BC. Previously, he taught at Regent College and pastored churches in California and the Philippines. Sharon has worked as an early childhood educator for 35 years.