“In Quest of The Master” “Checoukan Ministries” “The Shepherd’s Crook” “From Our Home to Yours” In the late 1980’s, Dennis and Joyce Johnson formed “Checoukan Ministries” to be able to present a special ministry entitled “In Quest of the Master”. The name “Checoukan” is the same name used for the high school year book for the Columbus Unified High School (USD#493). It is formed by using the first three letters of Cherokee County Kansas. After surviving the first of two failed attempts in a family business and selling a 200 head cow –calf operation, refinancing and re-opening the business, it was Dennis’ desire to share what God had done in their lives and present the gospel in a different light. Earlier in their life, they had met Joe Smith at “The Great Passion Play” in Eureka Springs, Arkansas. Joe and his wife, Shelley both appeared in the play. Joe was in the role as one of the Christ figures. He also was and still is engaged in doing his ministry presentation before the play, “Parables from the Potter’s House”. You may see it at greatpassionplay.org/parables-of-the-potter.html Joe and his ministry has been a blessing to countless thousands over the years. Joe also allowed their son, Chris, to photograph him as Jesus, the Christ and Dennis, as the apostle Peter, on the set of The Great Passion Play. These photos were used in their brochures and on their posters. Below is a portion of the brochure; “So Send I You” Checoukan Ministries is proud to present “In Quest of the Master”. “Quest” is set thirty-five years after the crucifixion of Our Lord, Jesus Christ. It is a New Testament account from the vantage point of the Apostle Peter. He tells his story, by fulfilling The Master’s charge to “Feed His Sheep” (John 21:15-25). “Quest” tells of his call by Christ and the three years he walked with The Master. The main portion of this program is centered upon the last week of the Master’s life on earth. The presentation uses original music and slides from “The Great Passion Play” at Eureka Springs, Arkansas. “In His Service” Checoukan Ministries only reason for existence, is to serve and glorify The Lord, Jesus Christ, Who was, and Who is, and Who is to come. He is our reason for better things to come. The purpose of this message is to bear witness to the truth. It is intended to bring honor and glory to the Father thru Christ the Son. We come believing in Romans 12:5, “so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others”. By doing this we can go “Into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature”. In time Dennis begin using portions of the excellent video “St. John in Exile” that pertained to the Apostle Peter to enhance “In Quest of The Master”. It was written by Don Berrigan (one of the writers for “The Great Passion Play”). It starred actor Dean Jones as St. John. Dennis and Joyce traveled for over five years presenting the presentation and then the ministry changed into what it currently today. “From Our Home to Yours” Dennis begin working for Medicalodge of Columbus in August of 2000. He was hired to be their Director of Marketing / Admissions. During the time he worked there, he visited the social workers at area hospitals for potential placements in a skilled facility. Also during that time he delivered Meals on Wheels and later became the coordinator of the program after Garland Bohn retired. While there, he begin writing a column that appeared in the Friday edition of the Columbus paper. It was entitled; “From Our Home to Yours”. It contained devotions, facts pertaining to nursing home and end of life issues, Medicare as well as Kansas Medicaid. He wrote it until he left in December of 2003. Later, in 2004 working for the Bath-Naylor Funeral Home here in Columbus, he resumed the column. Again, it was a rotation of devotions, facts concerning VA burial benefits, history concerning several wars as well as the origination of TAPS. After a while due to the cost of the newspaper it was discontinued by the funeral home. At this time, Dennis begun writing “The Shepherd’s Crook” as a bulletin insert for the Sherwin Christian Church. He also began sending it out in the mail to people who requested it through an ad in the paper. He and Joyce now distribute printed versions to several people in their community as well as to some in prisons and well as to some serving our country overseas. Also, both are sent out via-e-mail as well as being posted here on our face book page. God has “Blessed” us with three women who help support the ministry financially as well as helping to distribute the printed versions to the soldiers. All three are tremendous assets to our work. At the end of every ministry presentation, Dennis would offer an invitation; Joyce would put up a slide depicting the Lord, Jesus Christ on the cross. As he spoke, he would begin to kneel and Joyce would start the Florida Boys song, “When He was On the Cross”. After the song played, Dennis would rise and say the following; “Well, once again I have walked and I have talked with my Jesus and as usual, I love him even more, I hope some thing that I have said or something that you have seen will help you, “In Your Quest for the Master”. It is our desire as your read the quotes, devotions, sermons outline as well as some of the other writings both from “From Our Home to Yours” and “The Shepherd’s Crook”, that something you may read will help each of you; “In Your Quest for the Master”.
Posted on: Sun, 26 Jan 2014 10:52:11 +0000
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