Volunteer Spotlight: Sherri Johnston

Partners International Women is delighted to introduce our online community to Sherri Johnston, our Volunteer Heart Team Leader. Sherri regularly travels abroad with a team from PIW to provide spiritual and ministry discipleship to women leaders. Sadly, women around the world, even in the Church, are often relegated to second-class status. In too many congregations, women have no one to disciple them, and their potential as transmitters of the Gospel goes largely untapped. Volunteers like Sherri and our ministry partners overseas understand the power that women have to further the Kingdom at the grassroots level. This understanding fuels their passion to get to “the heart” of the matter: equipping women to be effective evangelists and church planters in their own communities and countries!

We hope you will enjoy learning more about Sherri in the brief interview below. If God is calling you to serve on the Heart team in a volunteer capacity, either by helping Stateside or travelling overseas, please contact the PIW office at 561-833-2300 or JessicaD@partnersintl.org.

PIW: What year did you start volunteering with PIW, and what made you want to volunteer here?
Sherri: I started volunteering with PIW in 2005, as soon as there was an official women's ministry within Partners International and Kim Kerr became the Director. Kim and I had already built a strong relationship, and I wanted to continue serving alongside her.

PIW: What has been the most enjoyable aspect of your volunteer experience so far?
Sherri: The most enjoyable aspect is the relationships I’ve developed with other volunteers and our ministry partners. Being with dedicated men and women whose lives are centered on serving the Lord's purposes and His Kingdom has had a great influence on me.

PIW: Which countries have you visited with PIW? Which one has had the greatest impact on you?
Sherri: I have traveled with PIW to nations in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. The greatest impact comes through our ministry with North Africa and the Middle East. Attending an annual conference for our ministry partners working in these regions and hearing about other countries partnering in ministry there was eye-opening. It was like a taste of heaven to be in one place with so many believers worshipping and praising God in different languages. When I travel to other countries, I am reminded just how big God’s family is! In addition, hearing about the Lord's faithfulness to His people who face such opposition and persecution because of their faith in Jesus Christ always leads me to evaluate my devotion to the One who saved me. 

PIW: What’s one of the most interesting things you’ve learned about PIW’s work overseas?
Sherri:They listen to the partners’ needs and are completely field-driven. PIW then brings resources that bring solutions. It is not about making ourselves feel good, but instead, we (PIW and the ministry partner) serve His Kingdom and each other. PIW works with very capable leaders who carry on and implement any training they receive.   

PIW: What is a passage of Scripture that has special significance for you?
Sherri:There are so many Scriptures, but the one I bring to mind most often is Joshua 1:9: “Have I not commanded you?  Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified, do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”