Johnson University Alumni Connections and Reflections

 Friday Evening Connections and Reflections for August 7, 2020 COVID 19 is definitely impacting those we love from the Johnson community. Your prayers for healing and protection are appreciated. After 61 days in the hospital and several close calls with eternity, Carol Stookey, the wife of Kent Stookey (JUTN ’79) is now at home and continuing to recover from a battle with COVID 19.  Please keep them in your prayers. The Director of Church Relations and the Office Manager for Advancement on the Tennessee campus, Brian (JUTN '78 & '90) and Marie (Davidson, '79) Lakin, have been fighting COVID for the last two weeks. While Marie appears to be on the mend, Brian continues to struggle. Please keep them in your prayers as they try a new regimen of treatment to help Brian overcome this nasty virus.   If you haven’t heard by now, there is a new Johnson University Alumni Community available to help facilitate the communication between alumni. Alumni are invited to go to https:...

Friday Evening Connections and Reflections for 7/31/20 This was a short week in the Alumni Relations Office as I took a couple days off late in the week.  So, I didn't make a lot of connections and didn't have many reflections.  However, I did want to give you a taste of the week. Reggie Braziel ('78) concluded a twelve-year preaching ministry at Christian Hope Church of Christ, Plymouth, North Carolina on August 2 to become the preaching minister at Old Ford Church of Christ, Washington, North Carolina.   Johnson alumnus Bob G. Braziel (’56), Reggie's father, ministered at Old Ford Church until the time of his death in 1992. Ross (’07, ’18) and Megan (Brock ’07) Najmon recently celebrated 12 years of marriage.   Seeing Ross’ post of celebration on Facebook reminded me of his involvement with Team Expansion.   While Ross and Megan had gone through language learning in hopes of ministering in Italy, doors were not open to that ministry.   However, Ross has b...

Connections and Reflections for July 24, 2020 Our beloved brother, Dr. David Reece “Doc” (JUTN ’70), passed away on Sunday, July 19, 2020. Dave had one simple life goal — to serve God.  He did it for his wife Cindy (Creamer, JUTN ’70 & ’99), daughter Sarah (JUTN ’06), sister Nancy, brother Johnathan (JUTN ’72), and all those who wanted to learn. He experienced great “Joy On The Journey”. Memorials may be sent to: Johnson University, 7900 Johnson Dr., Knoxville, TN 37998 OR Project Kenya International, P.O. Box 6920, Maryville, TN 37803 David didn’t want a big memorial service and so the family and a few friends will accompany Dave's ashes to the Columbarium at "Shiloh on the Heights" on Tuesday. The Inurnment Service will be streamed at www.JohnsonU.edu/DavidReece at noon on Tuesday. Cindy said, “…many people have already memoralized him on Facebook and by way of emails and text messages. It has been the best ‘Celebration of Life’ I have ever experienced.” I could ...

Connections and Reflections for July 17, 2020 Spent a few minutes talking with John Pryor (JUTN ‘70), former missionary with Pioneer Bible Translators to Papua New Guinea.  He is looking for a part-time ministry opportunity in a Restoration Movement church somewhere in or near Destin, Florida.  If you know of anything, please let me know. John spent some time as a faculty/staff member on the Tennessee campus in the late 1990’s.  John and I played intramural floor hockey together and I always admired his ability to out-run and out-work students who were almost 30 years his junior.    I learned this week that the family of Tim (JUTN ’81) and Lisa (Seymour, JUTN ’84) Jones have experienced some challenges with the COVID situation.  Please keep them in your prayers. This week, James Burrell (JUFL, ’80) of Montrose, Colorado, became the FIRST Florida alumni to join the Johnson University Alumni Association!  Welcome to the Association, Jim! Association bene...

For a first post in this "Johnson University Alumni Connections and Reflections" blog, I thought I would offer some rationale for the purpose of the blog and what I hope to accomplish. As the Director for Alumni Relations at Johnson University, one of my primary responsibilities is to keep up with graduates from each of our locations (Tennessee, Florida, and Online).  I thought it would be helpful if I shared some details of these connections so that other alumni and friends of Johnson University can learn about the activities of Johnson University alumni.  This will encompass the "Connections" emphasis of this blog. As a graduate of Johnson University myself, (2000 BA Missions, 2007 MA New Testament) I find myself reflecting on my time on the Tennessee campus and my personal experience as a graduate and member of God's family. Therefore, I will share some "Reflections" from my personal academic journey, theological reflections, or my thoughts on other...