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Bethlehem Blogs

March 31, 2022

Thankful for Joby Morgan

Jon Grano

Pastor for Operations

I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.Philippians 1:3–5

Thirty years ago this week, on April 1, 1992, Joby Morgan began employment at Bethlehem Baptist Church. During these three decades of both mountain peaks and dark valleys, Joby has been a gift to Bethlehem and the advance of God’s kingdom through this church body in ways that only he knows.

Joby’s “journey” to Bethlehem started on another April 1, in 1980, when a mutual friend from Bethel College invited her now-husband, Jon to spend Spring break at home with him in Joby’s hometown of Anaconda, Montana. God used that time to begin a lifelong relationship between Jon and Joby, and to eventually move Joby to Minnesota.

Joby & Jon first attended Bethlehem in 1984, in the old Downtown sanctuary. They were captivated by the deeply biblical teaching, the intentionally reverent worship, and the warm fellowship of the people. They both became members in 1987, and left for South Africa in 1990 after completing Bethlehem’s Nurture Program for global partners—with fond memories of years of Missions at the Manse gatherings where dozens crowded into Pastor John & Noël Piper’s home. The Morgans shared the contagious enthusiasm to spread a passion for the supremacy of God in all things for the joy of all peoples through Jesus Christ.

In 1991, Jon & Joby returned to Bethlehem after realizing God had another calling for them besides career missions—and Joby started volunteering at Bethlehem, helping out in the office where needed. A year later, in April 1992, the pastoral staff realized that if Joby was volunteering that much time at church, she should start receiving a paycheck. Her official start date was April 1, 1992. 

Since that day 30 years ago, Joby has served in a myriad of roles, both official and unofficial. Officially …

  • Receptionist/Secretary: 1992–1993
  • Ministry Assistant: 1994–1995
  • Administrator for Member Care & Volunteers (Volunteer Ministry): 1996–1999
  • Member Care and Office Manager/Administrator: 2000–2002
  • Office Manager: 2003–2008
  • Director for Human Resources & Office Manager: 2009–present

Joby is an extraordinary HR Director supporting a large and diverse staff with servant-hearted grace and truth. She also volunteers with the Helping Hand Committee, cares for members, serves on a Barnabas Team and the North Campus Global Outreach Team, and proactively anticipates where her help is most needed in countless ways. Her insights and experience have made her a valued advisor and counselor to the pastoral staff, Council of Elders, and Financial & Property Administrators (FPAs). Her contagious enthusiasm and joy make her an encourager to many.

Joby is a dear sister in Christ, beloved partner in ministry, friend, and colleague. When a line forms to thank God for Joby, many joyfully join that line, including Bethlehem’s three Pastors for Preaching & Vision, our Pastor for Strategic Implementation, and Pastor Emeritus:

Pastor Steven Lee
Praise God for giving the church Joby Morgan for more than 30 years of faithful and selfless service to the Lord. I think of Romans 16:1, where Paul says, “I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a servant of the church at Cenchreae.” I commend to you our sister Joby, a faithful servant who has worked hard for the Lord and for the people of Bethlehem. She is well known for her selfless labor, eagerness to serve, helpfulness, and hospitality. She has blessed many global partners leaving and returning. And she has labored behind the scenes to help a million things (not an overstatement) work well, work better, and go more smoothly than without her help, wisdom, and insight. So on this occasion for thanksgiving to God, we celebrate Joby’s 30th work anniversary. We praise God for her husband Jon. And I am glad to lend my voice in rising up to call her blessed. She in so many ways embodies and lives out the excellent woman we see in Proverbs 31. Praise God for his good gift to Bethlehem through Joby Morgan.

Pastor Dave Zuleger
And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.—Galatians 6:9

Joby loves her God deeply. Joby loves her church deeply. And those realities have conspired together to perpetuate decades of faithful, fearless, and fruitful ministry for the glory of God and the good of his people. Joby does her job with excellence in the best, highest moments and in the burdensome, hardest moments. 

Through various seasons and various roles, Joby has been a steady and sweet gift to me, to this church, and for the advance of the kingdom of God in the neighborhoods of the Twin Cities and all the way to the nations. It is my privilege to partner with her for the sake of the gospel and to commend her now to you and celebrate with you her 30 years of faithful ministry among us. To God be the glory, great things he has done—through the ministry of Joby Morgan! 

Pastor Kenny Stokes
On behalf of the Bethlehem Downtown congregation, I want to express my deep thankfulness to God and to Joby Morgan for her unwavering partnership with us in the mission of Bethlehem. 

According to 1 Corinthians 12:28, I believe Christ has given Joby to our church as one spiritually gifted in the areas of “helping” and “administering.” Most often behind the scenes, Joby has gladly and tirelessly worked, improving just about everything we do. Joby brings thoughtful, prayerful wisdom and care to the myriad of decisions needed not only in human resources, but in our life together as a church, as brothers and sisters in Christ.

And Joby has done all of this for the glory of Christ and with a genuine heart of love for the people of Bethlehem. She has been a gift from God, a friend, and fellow laborer in the gospel (cf. Philippians 1:3–5). 

Pastor Ken Currie
It is difficult to put into words all that Joby has meant to me and this church. She is a rare combination of servant, leader, listener, and truth-teller that has the effect of improving virtually everything she engages. There are few that love Bethlehem and are committed to the church’s well-being more than Joby. She pours out her best for the good of the church and its mission. I remember my first encounter with Joby before I came to Bethlehem. We were talking on the phone about how to transition me and my family and our team well. At that time the offices were in temporary space while the 4th floor was being completed. In the midst of all the challenges of transition and many employees’ needs, her questions for me were all in the spirit of, “What do you need?” and “How can we be the most helpful?” It was so refreshing and encouraging to be served in that way. I will always count it a privilege to have partnered with Joby in this church and ministry. I am a better leader and follower of Jesus for it. Simply put, Joby is one of my heroes :). 

Pastor Emeritus John Piper
See Pastor John’s words of encouragement and thanks here.

On this eve of Joby’s 30th anniversary of employment at Bethlehem, please join me in thanking God for the gift of Joby Morgan!