I encountered the Lord during my teenage years, which became a pivotal moment in my life, especially since I did not grow up in a Christian home. My parents were not believers, but I was always drawn to the Lord. My journey with the Lord began through a youth group connected with a bus ministry, a place where I first encountered the profound love and grace of Jesus. As I immersed myself in the Word of God, I found myself falling deeply in love with the Lord. This awakening ignited a passionate desire within me to learn more about my faith and how to live it out. I was blessed to be led to a church community that truly valued every word of the Bible. There, I learned about God’s covenant, the incredible authority I had in Him—even as a teenager—and the transforming truth that God is a healer. Even as a teenager I learned, there is no junior Holy Spirit. The church became a second home for me, and I eagerly attended every service and event, soaking in the presence of God and the teachings. However, the trajectory of my life changed dramatically when I turned 16. On a seemingly normal Wednesday evening, as I was heading to church, I became involved in a horrific car accident. I collided head-on with a semi-truck. The impact was catastrophic, sending my vehicle spinning into two other cars. The aftermath was devastating: I suffered multiple, life-altering injuries, including a broken back, a shattered jaw, a fractured collarbone, and a traumatic brain injury that caused severe memory loss. When I finally regained consciousness in the hospital, the world around me was a blur of confusion, pain, and the ominous reality of my situation. The doctors delivered heart-wrenching news, informing me that due to the extent of my injuries—particularly the burst fracture in my spine at the L4 vertebra—there was a strong possibility that I might never walk again. As I lay there in that hospital bed, feeling utterly helpless, I struggled to comprehend the gravity of my circumstances and the reality that I had lost all sensation from the waist down. It was in this moment of despair that I spoke the eight words that would forever change the trajectory of my life. With tears in my eyes, I boldly told the room filled with doctors, "You must not know the God I serve." These words were not just a declaration; they were a testament of my faith and a cry of hope, echoing my belief in the miraculous power of God. In that instant, I realized that this faith journey I had been on was more than just a concept—it was a way of life that required a deep, unwavering trust in God's promises. I believed that God was who He said He was, and I was determined to embrace that truth regardless of my circumstance. The healing process that followed was long and arduous, filled with countless physical and emotional challenges. Despite the overwhelming odds stacked against me, I witnessed a miracle unfold in my life. Through persistent prayer, the unwavering support of my family and friends, and God’s powerful intervention, I began to heal. Each day presented a new battle, yet I embraced the journey with a bold declaration: "He is the God of miracles!" My recovery was not merely a physical restoration; it became a profound spiritual journey that reaffirmed my belief that God had a purpose for my life—a purpose that was uniquely my own. Before my birth, it had been affirmed that God had a plan for me, a promise often echoed during my life’s greatest challenges. Even as an unborn child, I faced adversity—my twin sibling did not survive in the womb, but God spared my life. Shortly after finding the Lord at 16, He saved me once more by allowing me to walk again. God's hand intervened when my husband found faith as well; we faced trials that threatened our marriage but discovered the transformative power of God’s love. Just when it seemed that all hope was lost, He intervened in incredible ways. Through faith, prayer, and unwavering commitment to each other and our relationship with God, we experienced restoration and now serve together in ministry, helping other couples navigate the complexities of building a kingdom marriage. With a solid foundation in theology, I am currently pursuing a master’s degree to further equip myself for my calling. I feel deeply drawn to prophetic ministry and teaching, dedicating my life to the careful study of Holy Scriptures. My passion lies in sharing the love of Jesus and leading others to understand that God is still a healer today and the blood still works! I aspire to mentor and cultivate future generations, helping them embrace Christ as their Lord, Savior, Healer, Teacher, and Friend. I believe I am called to speak the Word of God over lost situations and prophesy life into what seems dead and hopeless. Upon graduation, I plan to step into full-time ministry. I am actively being discipled in my local church, preparing for what lies ahead. Receiving this scholarship would significantly ease the financial strain of pursuing my degree, allowing me to focus on my studies and ministry without the burden of financial stress. While I fully understand that a degree is not strictly necessary to share the Gospel or proclaim God’s truth, I am convinced that the theological education I receive will provide me with the foundational knowledge necessary to teach and disciple effectively. I firmly believe that God is doing something new and transformative on the Earth in this day and age, and I am eager to play my part in His divine plan. As long as I have breath, I will continue to declare, "God is alive. God is a healer. And God has a plan for every single one of His sons and daughters!" I will teach the unadulterated Word of God with boldness and conviction. And I will share my story with anyone willing to listen, since the testimony of Jesus is the very spirit of prophecy. That means, what God did for me, he can do for anyone else that needs it. In doing so, I trust that God will use my life as a vessel for His glory, impacting lives and communities in ways beyond my imagination.

Hello! I am Abby Johnson. I love the Lord, I am a veteran's wife, proud mom of three, and I love to run. When I was 16 years old I got into a terrible car accident. On April 18, 2007, I woke up in a hospital room with my parents over me. The doctor came in and said, "Abby, you've been in a car accident." I couldn't feel my legs. At 16 years old I was pronounced paralyzed. I had no recollection because I had a traumatic brain injury. They explained I was in a car accident. My tire-rod had come loose which caused my car to dart into an oncoming lane of traffic. I, unfortunately, hit a semi-truck head on. I spun and hit two more cars resulting in a multi-car pileup. I was the only one injured. I broke my back, Ihad a burst fracture at L4, and because there were pieces of bone and glass embedded into my spine, I was told there was a large chance I'd never walk again. By the grace of God, after two major back surgeries and a year of learning to walk again, I made a near-full recovery. I walk daily, run, and work out, and I've discovered that I possess something my dad called "grit." I was once told that my condition might influence my ability to have children later in life. God had other plans, though. I met an incredible man at age 24 who was serving our country at the time. This week, I am celebrating ten years of marriage and am blessed with three beautiful children. Someone once asked me, "If you had one piece of advice for the world, in one sentence, what would it be?" My response was, "Perseverance always wins." When the doctors came into my room and explained the situation that day my response was, "you don't know the God I serve!" My love for others, for mamas and babies, and the Lord is reflected in my everyday work. I am a birth educator and doula, and I also serve in our church in various roles. Currently, I am pursuing a biblical degree because I want to serve in a greater capacity in our local church and community. I believe the Lord will continue to use my story to help inspire others to not give up. We live in a world that is full of pain, turmoil, and strife. I want to show people in every area I can that God loves them, he has a plan for them, and to not give up. Don't give up no matter what hits you, even if it's a semi-truck!

I’m a mom of three beautiful children and the wife of my favorite veteran. Our children are 9, 5, and 3 years old, and my husband is a 100% disabled veteran. I am committed to serving both my family and my community. I own my own business, Abby Johnson Photography and Doula Care, where I serve pregnant women in North Georgia as their birth doula. I provide birth education and support them throughout labor and delivery. Our family is active in a local church, where we serve and get involved. Currently, I am pursuing a master's degree in theological studies. My long-term goal is to work in full-time ministry and serve in a greater capacity within our local church. My husband works for the state as a veteran service officer, helping veterans in our community find the assistance they need. Finding time to juggle everything can be challenging. In my early twenties, I struggled while working a full-time job, and my husband was still on active duty. I relied heavily on daycare to care for my child, who attended for 60 hours a week. This is one of my greatest regrets thus far. Thankfully, now my husband has a regular 9-5 job, and I am self-employed. Being self-employed allows me to handle school pickups and drop-offs. However, when a mom goes into labor, I have to secure childcare quickly. This can be difficult, however setting my own schedule is helpful because it maximizes our family time. On top of work, I also manage various school assignments and readings each week. Between helping with my kids’ homework, my own studies, sippy cup refills, potty training, soothing nightmares, addressing my husband’s PTSD, and serving the community, it can feel like a balancing act. When I was in my early twenties (I’m 34 now), someone gave me invaluable advice that I still follow today. She told me, “Abby, some of the balls you are juggling are plastic, and some are glass. It’s okay to let the plastic balls fall, but don’t let the glass ones drop.” This perspective was a beautiful reminder for me. I learned that it’s alright not to “do it all.” Prioritizing tasks has been incredibly beneficial. This principle helped me delegate, focus on what’s most important, and manage everything with a smile. I will continue to be a great wife and mother. I’ll serve my community more deeply as I gain knowledge through my degree. And I will keep reminding myself: some balls may fall, but only the plastic ones!

It was a Thursday. We were at Longhorn Steakhouse when my husband began to sweat and said, "Abby, we have to leave right now." He scanned for every exit and window. It took me a moment to realize he was having a PTSD episode, a panic attack. What I didn't realize was that every day after would still be "Thursday". For 8 years, 8 months, and 27 days, my amazing husband, Sgt. Rico Johnson, served our country. He is a 100% disabled veteran, rated highest for his PTSD and mental health challenges. We will live with mental health issues for the rest of our lives. However, together, with the help of the Lord and our church community, we've learned to navigate our mental health struggles in a healthy way. We both feel called to ministry. We're blessed to be under a pastor who believes in both the healing hand of the Lord and modern medicine and therapy. Both Rico and I have faced mental health struggles, including anxiety, depression, and suicide attempts. These experiences have shaped our beliefs and led us to find a supportive church community that understands you can have Jesus and a therapist, too. Being aware of our mental health challenges has strengthened our marriage. We now have healthy ways to navigate our relationship, and we are self-aware, which helps us in our parenting of our three beautiful children. I spent 15 years working for one company, moving from the bottom to the top with grit and determination. However, I realized I was called to more than just working for someone else for the rest of my life; I was called to a life of serving others. God has guided our path the entire way. I quit my job in 2021 to be at home with my kids and my husband. We trusted the Lord to provide for us. My husband began working for the State Department as a Veteran Service Officer. He now shares his story with anyone who will listen, helping veterans obtain benefits and reminding everyone who walks through his door, "You Matter!" This is his ministry. I feel called to serve in the church. As I pursue a degree in theology, my hope is to help others the way I was helped. On February 11, 2020, I attempted to take my own life. At that time, I had a husband with unregulated mental health issues, and I was a mother to a 4-year-old and a 2-month-old, struggling with postpartum depression. I didn't see a way out. My husband found me that day. The next morning, I called a local church and said, "I need someone to meet with me. This is life and death. I literally will not make it through another night." They sent a pastor, and I made an appointment with my doctor for medication and met with a therapist. My husband and I decided to begin therapy, and since that day, we've been attending church and serving regularly. God lined up our healing during the height of COVID-19. We were at home together, taking that time to heal and grow closer to God. Our lives are now dedicated to encouraging and loving others, and whenever we receive "the call" that someone needs a hand, we're there. We will remind them of the two most important words we can offer: "You matter." I will continue to fight for healthy mental-health conversations in the church-community. For too long people have been told, "just pray about it and pretend it's not there." And that isn't a healthy rhetoric.

It was a Thursday. We were at Longhorn Steakhouse when my husband began to sweat and said, "Abby, we have to leave right now." He scanned for every exit and window. It took me a moment to realize he was having a PTSD episode, a panic attack. What I didn't realize was that every day after that would still be Thursday. This is just our everyday life. For 8 years, 8 months, and 27 days, my amazing husband, Sgt. Rico Johnson, served our country. He is a 100% disabled veteran, rated highest for his PTSD and mental health challenges. We will live with mental health issues for the rest of our lives. However, together, with the help of the Lord and our church community, we've learned to navigate our mental health struggles in a healthy way. We both feel called to ministry. We're blessed to be under a pastor who believes in both the healing hand of the Lord and modern medicine and therapy. Both Rico and I have faced mental health struggles, including anxiety, depression, and suicide attempts. These experiences have shaped our beliefs and led us to find a supportive church community that understands you can have Jesus and a therapist, too. Being aware of our mental health challenges has strengthened our marriage. We now have healthy ways to navigate our relationship, and we are self-aware, which helps us in our parenting of our three beautiful children. I spent 15 years working for one company, moving from the bottom to the top with grit and determination. However, I realized I was called to more than just working for someone else for the rest of my life; I was called to a life of serving others. God has guided our path the entire way. I quit my job in 2021 to be at home with my kids and my husband. We trusted the Lord to provide for us. My husband began working for the State Department as a Veteran Service Officer. He now shares his story with anyone who will listen, helping veterans obtain benefits and reminding everyone who walks through his door, "You Matter!" This is his ministry. I feel called to serve in the church. As I pursue a degree in theology, my hope is to help others the way I was helped. On February 11, 2020, I attempted to take my own life. At that time, I had a husband with unregulated mental health issues, and I was a mother to a 4-year-old and a 2-month-old, struggling with postpartum depression. I didn't see a way out. My husband found me that day. The next morning, I called a local church and said, "I need someone to meet with me. This is life and death. I literally will not make it through another night." They sent a pastor, and I made an appointment with my doctor for medication and met with a therapist. My husband and I decided to begin therapy, and since that day, we've been attending church and serving regularly. God lined up our healing during the height of COVID-19. We were at home together, taking that time to heal and grow closer to God. Our lives are now dedicated to encouraging and loving others, and whenever we receive "the call" that someone needs a hand, we're there. We will remind them of the two most important words we can offer: "You matter."

It was a Thursday. We were at Longhorn Steakhouse when my husband began to sweat and said, "Abby, we have to leave right now." He scanned for every exit and window. It took me a moment to realize he was having a PTSD episode, a panic attack. What I didn't realize was that every day after would still be Thursday. This is just our everyday life. For 8 years, 8 months, and 27 days, my amazing husband, Sgt. Rico Johnson, served our country. He is a 100% disabled veteran, rated highest for his PTSD and mental health challenges. We will live with mental health issues for the rest of our lives. However, together, with the help of the Lord and our church community, we've learned to navigate our mental health struggles in a healthy way. We both feel called to ministry. We're blessed to be under a pastor who believes in both the healing hand of the Lord and modern medicine and therapy. Both Rico and I have faced mental health struggles, including anxiety, depression, and suicide attempts. These experiences have shaped our beliefs and led us to find a supportive church community that understands you can have Jesus and a therapist, too. Being aware of our mental health challenges has strengthened our marriage. We now have healthy ways to navigate our relationship, and we are self-aware, which helps us in our parenting of our three beautiful children. I spent 15 years working for one company, moving from the bottom to the top with grit and determination. However, I realized I was called to more than just working for someone else for the rest of my life; I was called to a life of serving others. God has guided our path the entire way. I quit my job in 2021 to be at home with my kids and my husband. We trusted the Lord to provide for us. My husband began working for the State Department as a Veteran Service Officer. He now shares his story with anyone who will listen, helping veterans obtain benefits and reminding everyone who walks through his door, "You Matter!" This is his ministry. I feel called to serve in the church. As I pursue a degree in theology, my hope is to help others the way I was helped. On February 11, 2020, I attempted to take my own life. At that time, I had a husband with unregulated mental health issues, and I was a mother to a 4-year-old and a 2-month-old, struggling with postpartum depression. I didn't see a way out. My husband found me that day. The next morning, I called a local church and said, "I need someone to meet with me. This is life and death. I literally will not make it through another night." They sent a pastor, and I made an appointment with my doctor for medication and met with a therapist. My husband and I decided to begin therapy, and since that day, we've been attending church and serving regularly. God lined up our healing during the height of COVID-19. We were at home together, taking that time to heal and grow closer to God. Our lives are now dedicated to encouraging and loving others, and whenever we receive "the call" that someone needs a hand, we're there. We will remind them of the two most important words we can offer: "You matter."