CJ Hunter Called Me “Karissa “No Plans” Johnson”

explore, faith, family, travel, Uncategorized, worldview

As I write, I am moments away from packing the last bits of my bag for my trip to Coffeyfille, KS. We’ll gather to remember CJ Hunter in just a matter of hours. It’s hard for me to take any trip abroad or domestically without thinking of the name CJ gave me.

Here’s the story:

Back in 2011 when I lacked the knowledge of how to prepare for my first international trip, I reached out to him first. I knew that he recently visited the UK and I was a fumbling and stumbling mess, in need of help.

I’d later reach out to Bishop Maurice Green of Bryan, TX. He graciously linked me to the Blackman family and the COGIC UK tribe. It was all divine.

CJ’s messages still bring a smile to my face.

I believe we Skyped that night too and I got a severe tongue lashing from him. We laughed until we cried that night because of my lack of planning. This was in September of 2011. My first trip abroad to England was in September of 2011. That’s when he first called me Karissa “No Plans” Johnson.

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No Credit Cards for 7 Continents

Antarctica, explore, faith, family, travel, Uncategorized, worldview

🍃While living and working abroad, both companies in #China and #SaudiArabia provided lodging for me free of charge. I simply had to steward what I received.🌿

🌿Five years ago, while teaching in China, I paid off the commercial debt that I had which was less than $1,000. My trip to #Antarctica cost $5,000+. I used savings to pay for it. Responsible stewardship is critical.🍃

🍃After my first year of teaching English in China, I returned home for a vacation and sold my luxury car (Volkswagen Eos, hardtop convertible) in order to achieve my seven by 30 goal. I simply broke even with that sell.🌿

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Fresh Start LIVE | Charity Fisher |Karissa Johnson

Antarctica, explore, faith, family, Foreign Language, travel, Uncategorized, worldview

The honor was all mine when Charity Fisher invited me on her show, Fresh Start LIVE! If you’ve never heard my testimony of seeing all seven continents before 30, now is the time. My first trip abroad was at 26 and I made it to Antarctica at 29. Possibilities await you. Start now!

Over 3,000 have watched this interview on Facebook with over 30 shares. Watch the full video from Charity’s YouTube page below and feel free to comment and subscribe!

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Oh, L💋VE.

explore, faith, family, Foreign Language, travel, worldview

✨DEV💋TIONAL💫
Spoken by ⚓️

Matthew 22:37-40 New International Version (NIV)

37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” ⤵️

✌🏿❤️He leaves us with these two commandments: Love. Love.

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Another Delayed Flight?! (Oh They That Wait!)

explore, faith, family, travel, worldview

✨W a i t . 💫 #Devotional
•
✌🏿❤️

Last night my sister, Kinesha Johnson-Roach, was returning from LA and her flight got delayed. Her bags were packed and she was on time for her departure. She waited with great anticipation to quickly return home to be with her husband and children. Her heart dropped when she looked up and heard that her flight would be delayed.

Immediately, I heard “His hold up may be your hook up.” and sent it to her and my sisters in our WhatsApp group chat.

Often times, we get flustered or frustrated by the “good things” that we have to wait for. In my travels, every single time there was a hold up, a hook up was not far from it.

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#AIM2K17 – WARNING TO ALL SINGLES

explore, faith, family, worldview

⚠️ ATTENTION ALL SINGLES AT #AIM2K17⚠️

(And all across the globe this summer and beyond.)

Guard your hearts.

Guard your minds.

Guard your imaginations, fantasies, and time!

Be on guard!

Every kingdom-minded man or woman is not for you! Just because he’s/she’s kingdom and he’s/she’s single, it does not mean you should marry, entertain, or consider him/her.

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Surprise Me, Lord!

explore, faith, family, Foreign Language, travel, worldview

✨#SurpriseMe💫

🙏🏿And most of all, help me to do Your will. In #Jesus’ Name, #Amen.

✌🏿Contrary to popular belief, God does not surprise us with negative things. #Disasters, #disappointments, and #destruction all come from a place of #prophecy or #warning.

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An Open Letter to Those Who Say, “NO! DON’T GO THERE!”

Antarctica, explore, faith, family, Foreign Language, travel, worldview

✌🏿❤️

As I continue to get messages and replies, I have been released from On High to share my sentiments on Israel, Palestine and beyond.

An open letter to those who say,

“NO! DON’T GO THERE!”

Shalom,

Thank you so much for your comment. I am incredibly pleased to hear from you. The gift of this educational tour is to see the conglomeration of the bitter and beautiful. The goal of Passages Israel and COGIC World Missions is to provide an authentic experience of Israel.

Although much that I’ve experienced has been magnificently overwhelming because of the Biblical historical context while visiting, I’ve also witnessed heart wrenching facts right before my eyes and observed the misery that many endure. I’ve touched these people and walked on their grounds in their community.

This is certainly a place to tour.

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Treasured Trinkets

Antarctica, explore, faith, family, travel, Uncategorized, worldview

👵🏾 On the #WashingtonDeluxe 🚌 #bus from #NYC to #DC and I’m grateful for the last rest stop. I just took one of the #bracelets that my 103 year-old Great-Grandma Brown left behind after transitioning in February (She departed on #Superbowl Sunday and during Black History Month. She did nothing small even in her departure! 😂) and moved it closer to my #heart. ❤️

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COGIC World Missions’ Youth Trip to Israel

explore, faith, family, Foreign Language, travel, Uncategorized, worldview

Hello from Israel!

It is a pure honor to share with you that I am now exploring Israel! Please see the post below from cogic.org for details surrounding this “passage.”

Visit cogic.org/blog/cogic-world-missions-youth-trip-to-israel/ for the original post.

COGIC WORLD MISSIONS’ YOUTH EMBARK UPON A TRANSFORMATIVE TRIP TO ISRAEL

June 14, 2017(Memphis, TN) The Church of God in Christ (COGIC) World Missions Department has sent 40 youth leaders to Israel for an eleven-day tour.

The Church Of God In Christ (COGIC), under the leadership of Presiding Bishop Charles E. Blake, Sr., has deployed 40 youth and young adults from the World Missions Department to a tour of Israel. The trip is a partnership between COGIC World Missions, the Hobby Lobby retail chain, and Passages, an organization that offers educational tours of Israel.

With each attendee under the age of forty, the goal of the trip is to invest in the emerging leaders of the Church Of God In Christ. During the trip, participants will explore the roots of their biblical faith and will be introduced to the complex landscape of modern Israel.

Bishop Vincent Mathews, President of COGIC World Missions says, “I have learned so much from Presiding Bishop Blake, and one thing is collaboration. This collaboration with Hobby Lobby and Passages is valued at over $160k! It is worth it to invest in our emerging leaders in the Church Of God In Christ. Exposure is the greatest education that an individual can receive. This will prepare our leaders for future ministry in challenging places.”

The itinerary includes visits to foundational biblical sites, as well as sites relevant to the history of the modern Jewish state. Participants will hear from a diverse set of speakers and local people throughout the region who will help the students understand Israeli culture, government and economy, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and geopolitical and security issues surrounding Israel.

This sponsored trip to Israel begins an unprecedented summer that seeks to leverage the energy and passion of COGIC’s emerging leaders to literally touch the world.

The World Missions Department has three additional mission trips planned in July for youth and young adult members, including Tanzania, East Africa, Columbia, South America and Belize.

In August, youth and young adults will engage in transformative ministry on a mission’s trip to America called, “The Awakening.” Hundreds of young people will serve 12 cities simultaneously across America.

______________________________________

The Church Of God In Christ is one of the oldest Pentecostal denominations in the world and the 4th largest Protestant group in the United States, with churches in 87 countries worldwide and a membership of nearly 6.5 million adherents.

Category: COGIC Newsfeed, COGIC Newsfeed, NewsJune 15, 2017

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