Meet Kate Johnsen
October 9, 2025 // By interviewer Dan Bracken
When you talk with Kate Johnsen, there’s a steadiness about her—a calm strength shaped by decades of faith, family, and community at Ginghamsburg Church. Her story is woven through joy and heartbreak, through seasons of service and stillness, through loss and the enduring love of Jesus.
Kate has been part of Ginghamsburg for more than thirty years. She’s seen it all—from the early days of folding chairs and donuts in the unfinished worship center to watching her children grow up in the church she helped nurture. Her story isn’t one of dramatic conversion or fame. It’s one of quiet obedience and faith that has stood the test of time.
A Faith That Took Root
Kate grew up in the church but says her relationship with Jesus didn’t become personal until she met her husband, Rick. “He really challenged me,” she said. “He told me, ‘If we’re going to do this, you need to understand that God is part of every part of my life.’”
Through their courtship, the two dove headfirst into faith—attending Christian concerts, finding a church together, and eventually joining a young married couples’ small group. That group became a foundation for their marriage and their discipleship.
“They pushed us,” Kate said. “If I didn’t know the books of the Bible, someone would say, ‘You’re a college graduate—you can learn this.’ It was always about growing deeper in our faith.” Even early on, the Johnsen family practiced radical generosity. “We tithed on our wedding gifts,” Kate said with a laugh. “I don’t know if I’d have the courage to do that now—but that’s where we were living. Everything we had, we held with open hands.”
When Faith Is Tested
That faith would be tested in the most heartbreaking way. In 1995, Kate and Rick welcomed their third daughter, Lydia. Soon after birth, they learned Lydia had Down syndrome and a congenital heart defect.
“Our doctor said something that I’ll never forget,” Kate recalled. “He told us, ‘God has given you a special gift.’” The couple was determined to bring Lydia home and give her the best care possible. For three weeks, they balanced hospital visits and sleepless nights until Lydia was strong enough for surgery. But the night before her scheduled heart procedure, tragedy struck—Lydia passed away in her sleep.
“It’s an awful thing to go through,” Kate said softly. “But you learn there are so many good people in the world.”
The Johnsens’ home filled with friends and church members bringing food, cleaning their house, and sitting with them in their grief. “Our church community surrounded us,” she said. “They became the hands and feet of Jesus in the most tangible way.”
Kate began writing devotionals during that time—daily reflections that helped her process her grief. She eventually compiled those writings and shared them with other parents who had lost children. “It became a way for God to carry me through,” she said.
Community Formed in Grief
In the aftermath, Kate found herself surrounded by others who had experienced loss. “We called them our ‘dead baby friends,’” she said, her honesty both disarming and tender. “It’s a club you never want to join—but once you’re there, you have each other.”
That community of shared grief became a lifeline. They prayed together, supported one another, and even found ways to honor their children’s memories. One friend choreographed a dance in tribute to Lydia and her own daughter, performing it on the Ginghamsburg stage—a sacred act of beauty born from pain.
“I think it made me more empathetic,” Kate said. “More present with others. That’s what the church should be—a place where people step up for each other in big and small ways.”
A Life of Service
Over the years, Kate’s role at Ginghamsburg has evolved. She’s served as a staff member, led ministries, and even chaired the church’s Leadership Board. “I’ve lived on every side of church life,” she said. “As a member, as staff, and as leadership. Through it all, what’s sustained my faith is our missional mindset—getting outside ourselves and helping others.”
Kate and Rick have served in nearly every area of ministry. “I don’t think there’s much we haven’t done,” she laughed. “Maybe I haven’t played at open gym, but otherwise—we’ve been part of it all.”
She’s now one of the producers behind People of the ’Burg, helping craft and share stories of faith from within the Ginghamsburg community. “It’s such a gift,” she said. “These stories remind us who we are as a church—people who keep showing up for one another.”
The Faithfulness of Staying
After three decades at Ginghamsburg, Kate and Rick have weathered leadership changes, growth spurts, and seasons of redefinition. But through it all, their commitment has never wavered. “Our standard line is that God hasn’t called us anywhere else,” she said. “So we know He expects us to be here—to be part of this community.”
When asked how the church has changed, Kate smiled. “It’s like new wine in a new wineskin,” she said. “We were who we were—and that was beautiful. But this is who we are now, and God’s still in it. The Spirit’s still moving.”
She sees signs of health in Ginghamsburg’s staff culture and leadership. “It’s not perfect—it’s work,” she said. “But there’s more balance, more health than there used to be. We’ve come through some rough waters, but the ship’s been righted. Now we get to decide who we’re becoming.”
What’s Next
Today, Kate is navigating a new season of life. Her kids are grown and thriving. She and Rick are enjoying travel and grandkids. But she’s not done growing.
“I told God recently, ‘I know you want me to use my creativity,’” she said. “My job can be structured and high-pressure, but creativity is how I worship. It’s how I breathe.” Writing remains one of her greatest joys, and she’s finding fresh ways to use her words for God’s glory.
She’s also passionate about helping others practice the disciplines of faith—prayer, Scripture, and daily spiritual rhythms. “Those things change your heart,” she said. “They change what comes out of your mouth—most of the time,” she added with a grin.
When asked what continues to inspire her, Kate didn’t hesitate. “Jesus,” she said simply. “It’s obedience for me. Not because I have to, but because it’s who I am. God never changes, even when everything else does.”