MikJohnson is one of those individuals you run across only a few times in your life.  If he were an athlete, he would be an all-pro football player or maybe a Hall of Fame recipient.  In the kingdom of God, he’s one of the “greatest among” us that Jesus talked about (Matthew 23:11), the humble servant, busy behind the scenes making sure the needs he sees are being met to the best of his abilities.

Mike’s church family, as well as his many friends, have all benefitted in one way or another from his joyful willingness to live out the call of our Savior on his life.  Whether it’s arriving every Sunday morning hours before anyone else to make sure the sound system is up and running, assisting another worship team rehearsal, responding to an emergency plumbing repair, or gathering with a handful of men early Saturday morning to pray for his church and his community, countless people have a story to tell about Mike Johnson.  Those who know Mike best know he views all this as a privilege, not a chore.

This tribute will be difficult for Mike, but he’ll receive it – because that’s what Mike does, he does what others need him to do – so he’ll accept it, then point his finger upward and remind us that Jesus is the one who deserves the honor for changing Mike’s life.

Given the chance, Mike would tell you how down on the national Mall one July Fourth, Jesus forever changed his life.  And He did.  Thirty years from now, Mike will still be praying for his community early Saturday mornings, or arriving at the church Sunday mornings hours before others to make sure the sound system is ready to go, or climbing under someone’s sink because they called late one night saying, “there’s water coming from everywhere.”  Neither Mike, nor his Savior, would have it any other way.

The Men of Cedarbrook Community Church
Clarksburg, Maryland
November 7, 2009