Jina Johnson flew away to the arms of her Lord Jesus Christ on June 6, 2024 after a brief battle with cancer.

Born on July 7, 1976 in Busan, South Korea, she spent her early life with her close-knit family. She worked and studied, earning Bachelors and Masters degrees in Russian Linguistics and Literature. She spent much of her time serving her Lord through local congregations, playing piano, singing and ministering to others through her gifts. She served Korean churches as well as Russian congregations and North Korean refugees. She also served for a period performing missionary work in Azerbaijan.

On October 25, 2009, God presented Jina with her most challenging opportunity when he introduced her to her future husband, Jeff. For him, it was a miracle. For her, it was a mission. After several months of communication and visits, Jina traveled to the USA, where she would ultimately remain, marry and begin a family. In this way, God spread His love through her beyond her home country and into the hearts of so many here.

Jina had a beautiful singing voice, an engaging smile and could light up a room and her husband’s heart when she entered. She had a quick wit and could easily put Jeff in his place with a playful jab. Her life was characterized by love, compassion, care and service of others. The proof is in the tremendous outpouring of concern and love shown to her and her family during her illness and passing.

Jina is survived in the US by her devoted husband, Jeff and their two sons, Daniel and Nathan, her mother-in-law, Evelyn and sisters-in-law, Susan Arru (Louis) and Carol Jaynes (Greg). She leaves in South Korea: her father, Chasoo Kim and mother, Okrae Bak; sisters, Jeong-Eun, Seong-Eun, Yeong-Eun and Seong-Jin and brother, Dong-Gun as well as brothers-in-law and numerous beloved nieces and nephews. She also leaves behind a legacy of love in the form of countless friends all around the world.

A celebration of Jina’s life will be held on her birthday, Sunday, July 7, 2024 at 3:00 p.m. at the West Lonsdale Baptist Church Family Life Center. We’ll remember, love, laugh and enjoy all sorts of fruit together just as she did.