Collaborative Catholic Formation
Ministries
Youth Ministers:
J.J. Johnson
J.J. Johnson
Hometown: Houston, TX
Education: I graduated from Klein Collins High School in Houston in 2012. I then attended classes at Blinn Junior College for two semesters.
Ministry: Middle school Keysis at St. Joseph's in Bryan
Ministry Background: I started to really develop my love for the faith around the end of my senior year of high school/start of my short college career. My home parish, Christ the Good Shepherd, was going through a transition of youth ministers at them time, so I got to see a few different styles of leaders. The first youth minister, Wyatt, really invested in my relationship every time I saw him. He always asked me how I was doing, and how life was. Being a high school kid I approached with the attitude of “I’m too cool for this” and didn’t really care. Wyatt continued to invest in the friendship, and I finally realized that he cared about me and my life, he wasn’t just asking because it was his job. I staffed numerous retreats starting my junior year of high school, and continue to lead retreats whenever I am available.
Last year, I got called to serve as a NET missionary in Sydney, Australia. During these 10 months, my team of 6 strangers came together and over 50 Encounter Days (a one day school retreat) and
numerous youth groups. It was there where I really started to develop my personal relationship with Jesus, and learned so much about my faith. This year was fundamental in my spiritual journey, as I learned so much from the youth, and the young adults we ministered to every day.
I really enjoy encouraging the young people to live out their Christian lives in everything they do. I enjoy challenging them and at the same time, walking with them in their journey. I love being able to share my experiences with them, so that they may learn what to do (and not to do) as well as me learn from them. I also enjoy talking about any sport, taking long drives, and writing Christian rap music (as well as listening to it).
Passions & Interests: Hammocking, any kind of sports, listening to and writing Christian rap music, longboarding, Netflix, relaxing with friends, food(!), Apologetics, anything Australian, and coffee.
How did you become involved with CCFM and why? I had staffed a retreat with the CCFM members, and really enjoyed what they were doing throughout the BCS area. I helped at the St. Joseph’s high school youth night for about a year, and then started volunteering with Journey in Caldwell when my brother, Chris, left for Africa. I really started to see the fruits of peer to peer ministry when I started helping at Journey. After a year volunteering with Journey, I got called to volunteer with NET ministries, and learned how to lead youth groups, as well as really invest into the youth one on one.
During my last few months of my mission year, I started to discern on where to go next in my journey. I discerned applying for CCFM and doing a second year of NET. I emailed both, and after a long discernment, I decided to return closer to home and pursue a job with CCFM. I enjoy the collaboration part of the ministry, knowing that I am not alone in my ministry and being able to get advice from everyone is great and the encouragement between each other.
Favorite Quotes / Bible Verses:
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.” –Romans 1:16
“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” –John 1:5