J.John

John Ioannou (born 2 June 1958), best known as J.John, is an international evangelist and author based in the United Kingdom.^[1]

Early life

J.John was born on 2 June 1958 in London, England to his parents, George and Helen Ioannou. J.John's Greek name is Iouannes Iouannon; which translates as John John. His parents were owners and managers of a local restaurant in London.^[2] He studied psychology^[3] at Hendon College London from 1974 – 1976, where in 1975 he was introduced to Christianity by a friend, the Reverend Andy Economides.^[4]

Career

Before working in Christian ministry, J.John started his career in 1976 as a psychiatric nurse at Napsbury Mental Hospital in St Albans, England.

Early ministry

In 1978, J.John studied theology at St John's Theological College, Nottingham, England. In 1980, while studying theology at St John's, J.John worked at the Christian Renewal Centre in Northern Ireland.^[5] During this time he took part in reconciliation work as a member of the community, including volunteering at a local prison.^[6]

Later, J.John became Director of Evangelism at St Nicholas' Church in Nottingham, England, under the leadership of David and Joyce Huggett. While spearheading evangelism work within the church, he also began his work as an itinerant evangelist. During these years, his time was spent traveling the country and speaking at universities, churches and other venues.

Philo Trust

J.John established Philo Trust as a charity in 1980 in Nottingham, but moved to Chorleywood, England in 1997.^[7] The purpose of Philo Trust is to support J.John in his ministry. 'Philo' is the Greek word for brotherly love. Philo Trust has a number of associates, including Christine Caine and Andrew White. Philo Trust supports their associates in improving the livelihood of the international community.

Public speaking

To date, J.John has completed thousands of speaking engagements at conferences, towns, cities and universities in 69 countries on six continents. Some of these include the United States of America, Australia, Singapore, and numerous countries across Africa and Europe.

J.John has spoken at churches such as Hillsong Church Australia, Prestonwood Baptist Church,^[8] Gateway,^[9][10] C3 Oxford Falls,^[11] City Harvest Church, International Christian Fellowship,^[12][13] Holy Trinity Brompton, and Hillsong Church London. J.John has also spoken at several Christian conferences throughout the world including; Hillsong Colour Conference,^[14] Presence Conference,^[15] Joyce Meyer Conference, Soul Survivor,^[16][17] New Wine and others. He has completed 102 university/college engagements.^[18]

Lord Carey of Clifton, the former Archbishop of Canterbury said "J.John is a speaker of national and international repute. I regard the work of J.John as being of primary importance."^[19] Sir Cliff Richard said "It's really hard to communicate if people don't like you. I've heard J.John speak. He appealed to everyone. He was funny and he made us think – instant communication."

J.John is also a speaker and advocate for Compassion International.^[20]

just10

In January 1998 J.John began teaching the Ten Commandments. just10, his ten-week course teaches why he believes following the 10 laws given to Moses by God are a way to a better life. The ten sections of just10 are presented to appeal to people of any faith or non-faith background. just10 is divided into 10 segments, with each segment focusing on a different commandment.

just10 was originally named TEN and the original series was filmed in front of a live audience at Capitol Studios – home of The Weakest Link. Over the years, just10 has developed into a just10 Toolkit, two separate DVD courses for Churches and for Small Groups (2010),^[21] and just10 for Kids, an online resource and book (2013). The DVD course alone has reached an audience of over one million people^[22] and the book has been sold or given away to over 7,500 people including Pope Francis.^[23][24]

To date, J.John has completed 36 just10 engagements. Most of these missions have taken place in the UK, but they have also run in New York City and Sydney. The most recent engagement took place in Peterborough and was broadcast live on UCB TV. Current attendances at just10 missions have exceeded one million people. Following the final evening of just10 in Coventry Cathedral, the vast majority of the audience (3000 people) moved into the cathedral ruins to take part in what is believed be the largest mass anointing to have been held in England.^[25] With the release of the DVD course, the message of just10 has been taught in more than 136 prisons in the UK,^[26] to more than 600 churches in the UK, and around the world.^[27]

One feature of the just10 engagements are the amnesty bins. During the 'Prosper with a Clear Conscience' session, J.John asks the audience to return stolen goods to their original owners, or if this is not possible to bring them to bins at the venue where the goods can be donated to local charities. The amnesty bins are frequently filled with library books, hotel towels, and even checks for hundreds of thousands of pounds.^[28] To date, this has resulted in more than $500,000 being raised for hospitals, hospices and homeless shelters. After one 'Manage Your Anger' session, so much ammunition was handed in that police had to send two armored vehicles to collect it.^[29]

Television

J.John can frequently be seen speaking on television channels across the world including GOD TV,^[30] Daystar,^[31] TBN,^[32][33] UCB TV, and The BBC.^[34] One section of an interview on TBN UK went viral on social media with over 9.7 million views.

His Facing the Canon series of programs is filmed in partnership with UCB TV. J.John interviews a collection of guests including theologians, politicians, activists and musicians. The series is also broadcast by TBN UK. Notable guests have included Justin Welby,^[35] Alister McGrath, Jackie Pullinger, Lord Michael Hastings, Michael Ramsden, Mandy Smith, N.T. Wright, George Verwer, Canon Andrew White, Nicky Gumbel, Phillip Yancey, Mike Pilavachi, William Paul Young, Matt Redman, Archbishop John Sentamu, David Pytches, and R.T. Kendall.

Publications

J.John has authored over 60 books since 1988. There are over one million copies of his books in print worldwide.^[36] By June 2009, The Life had sold over 100,000 copies.

He has also written articles for several news journals and media outlets including The Huffington Post,^[37] The Daily Mirror,^[38] BBC News,^[39] Sorted Magazine,^[40] Christianity Today,^[41] and Church Times.^[42]

Select publications include:

Awards and recognition

J.John has been recognized by several industry leaders because of his 30+ years working around the world. In 1998, J.John received a Lambeth MA from Archbishop George Carey, in recognition of Church Growth and Evangelism.

J.John was appointed an Honorary Canon of Coventry Cathedral on 22 February 2003.^[43] On 4 March 2012 J.John was ordained Presbyter and Canon Missioner by Bishop David Carr OSL.^[44]

Personal life

J.John married his wife Killy (Killadeas) on 23 July 1983. Together they have three children, Michael, Simeon, and, his favourite, Ben.^[45] Their eldest, Michael is married to his wife Emma.

Today J.John and his family reside in Chorleywood, England.

External links

• Official website
• J.John on Twitter
  
• J.John on Facebook
• J.John on Instagram

References