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Active and Retired Women Ministers
ulation that she receive a full ministerial salary, which was rare for a woman in those
days. In two years ministering there, they baptized 50 people, more than half of whom
had studied with Brenda.
At the 1990 General Conference, Brenda was present to hear the discussion about
women’s ordination. It was not a topic she had considered before. But when the vote
came, uncontrollable tears came, and she “got in touch with the fact that in the deepest
recesses of my soul I wanted to be recognized as a minister of the Lord–I wanted to be
ordained.” However, Brenda realized that the church had spoken and decided to put
that painful moment out of her mind. The discussion at GC of 1995 brought it all back,
“only by that time I was even surer of my call.”
The Johnsons moved to Livingston, NY, where Brenda worked as a part-time chaplain, part-time Bible worker. She has been Women’s Ministry Director for the Greater
New York Conference.
She moved into full-time chaplaincy. Her husband requested that she begin preaching
twice a month in their two-church district. She has continued that schedule for ten years.
Brenda has taken a residency in Clinical Pastoral Education, a Master of Divinity
degree from Northern Baptist Seminary, and hours toward a doctorate.
Presently Brenda divides her time between Hospice Chaplaincy and Team Pastoral
Ministry with her husband, still preaching twice a month. The churches the Johnsons
pastor are Glen Ellyn and Northbrook, Illinois.
Brenda expects to be board certified in the spring of 2005. She says that without any
question, Phil is now happy and grateful that she pursued the degree she did.
Knott, Esther Ramharacksingh
At the age of three, Esther began sharing her love for Jesus. She gave her first Bible
studies after her first year in college. When people with whom she had studied chose to
follow Jesus, Esther was thrilled. During her third summer of college she worked with
an evangelistic team. Again she was awed that through her people could form a clearer
picture of God and come to love Him.
Those who observed her witnessing activities mistakenly supposed that Esther was a
theology major. She says she fought against her call to the ministry. However, during
her senior year she finally changed her major to religion. She found peace of mind when
she said "yes" to God's calling for her life.
To her major in religion Esther added minors in physical education and health; she
has used this adjunct training in ministries leading to Bible studies and baptisms.
Esther served as campus chaplain at Broadview Academy 1980-83 and as assistant
chaplain at Andrews University 1985-87. She has worked in the North American
Division office of education, led Bible camps and leadership retreats, and conducted a
week of prayer at Valley Grande Academy in Texas.

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