J John interviewed at Norwich Cathedral by Sandie Keetch just before the Norwich Just10 Mission

Man with a Mission

World renowned evangelist, J John will continue his quest to blaze a trail for faith and holiness by preaching God’s top Ten Commandments in Norwich. 

His presentations will follow in the wake of many other “Just 10” series across Britain. The results have been staggering – one thief turned in £100,000 – arousing national media coverage and astounding the evangelist himself. 

His thirst for winning souls was ignited immediately after his conversion when, as a London college student, he took a tramp to breakfast. The years have seen his calling gain momentum, from Australia and India to Chester and Liverpool.  His easy-going humorous approach is translated into books that pursue his calling.  And when he takes the rostrum his divine gifting has ushered men and women of diverse race, creed and background into the Kingdom. 

Some 150,000 churched and unchurched have heard J John’s uncompromising ‘Just 10’ message. Relaying God’s laws, reworded for today’s culture, have turned the sinner to repentance and the hardest heart to putty. 

“Each series has become bigger and bigger as it’s been refined, up-dated and changed and tailored with the help of a researcher, to each venue. I believe in excellence – it is vital to do your best. Do your best and God will do the rest,” explains J John. 

The evangelist has certainly seen God do the rest as amnesty bins have been filled with stolen and unwanted goods. Over the last years, since the series has operated, guns, knives and ammunition have been thrown away and later removed by an armoured vehicle. One thief turned in £100,000 to signify a new beginning with Christ and a transvestite made a full confession to his wife, discarded his women’s clothes and accepted counselling. At Coventry, the series was advertised through secular channels, courtesy of the city police force and bus fleets emblazoned with posters. 

In preparation of the Norfolk 2002 “Just 10” prayer calls are being heeded, promoting church unity to pave the way for J John’s visits. The event is poised to attract a countywide 3000 audience as specially commissioned buses will be called into service each week. 

 But why is “Just 10” successful? “The ten commandments are made accessible and acceptable to today’s mindset,” says J John, who will bring his well-oiled presentation and faithful team to the Norwich Showground one evening a week from April until June. 

“Preaching the law connects you to the creator. I may present the principle but it is being applied by God’s spirit. The Ten Commandments are perceived as negative but once people come there is interest and intrigue and a continual desire to return each week. If people come towards the end of the programme they are sorry to have missed the previous sessions. The same commands God gave us are re-written in today’s language so people are practically encourage with: how to hold to the truth and how to affair-proof your marriage, for example.”

If people reject the spiritual element, J John is still optimistic, seeing himself as a “link in the chain”. 

“Ninety per cent of British people do not go to church and I have an opportunity to connect with them. If they stop battering their wife, stop telling lies or turn to counselling for help the events are successful as God’s commands are for our welfare. For me, the ultimate success is bringing them to faith in Jesus but there are many other dimensions too.” 

As the first event dawns in Norwich, J John is an unquenchable inspiration for the county’s Christians, providing preparatory Bible studies, hosting a preliminary Cathedral carol service and meeting the City’s youth, business and commercial sector to ‘build bridges’ and ‘lay foundations’ for his message. 

Converting men’s hearts with the fervour and energy God has given J John is gruelling.  

Busy global and UK trips abound including weekly evangelistic visits. In between he writes books, articles and trains six budding evangelists. He escapes the rigours of ministry to seek solace and wisdom from his spiritual mentor, a monk, who recently advised J John to constantly seek God for holiness and humility. 

“I am chilled out about my role and not at all driven because we only have enough time to do the will of God,” explains J John who takes one day off each week to spend  with his family.  

Adept at spotting would-be evangelists he says: “I would rather train ten men than do the work of ten men. I endeavour to inspire, encourage and mature them to put them on the fast track to success.  I also help another 60 evangelists,” explains J John who emphasises the need for continual, rigorous training to reap souls. 

J John was nearly 18 when he became a Christian. His Greek Cypriot parents were agnostic but a fellow college student lived out his faith practically, pointing J John to a real meeting with Jesus. “His belief made a difference to his behaviour and so often it doesn’t,” says J John. 

Just months after coming to faith his calling was unveiled when he spoke to the college union who were without a speaker. His hope of being a doctor vanished as he yearned to show Christ’s light. With a difficult, hardworking year at a psychiatric hospital behind him, J John was able to finance his theology training. Then, during three years as a church staff member, he became a visiting speaker. 

“The church is like a ‘hospital’ – good at offering surgery and care – but I see myself as an ‘obstetrician’ intent on dealing with spiritual birth,” says the man who is witnessing the dramatic increase of the fruits of his labours.