Quick shout out to our director Jeff Johnsen, who just now reminded us that TODAY is the 35th anniversary of his first day in the office as the first executive director of Mile High Ministries. Initially we were named Associated Network of Ministries, which came out of suburban Bear Valley Church’s many initiatives and partnerships in urban Denver.

Jeff’s “office” was literally a closet whose doors opened to a hallway in a church. A desk and phone line were pulled in. “I was thrilled,” Jeff recalls. “I’d never had an office in my life. I wasn’t sure what to do in one. I remember sitting down and thinking, ‘What does a director do? Am I supposed to call anyone?’”

Jeff’s mentor Frank Tillapaugh, who dreamed Mile High Ministries into being, was frank (pun, sorry) on the first day. “This thing is fifteen thousand dollars in debt, and we’re losing a thousand dollars a week.” Jeff thought, what am I supposed to do about that?

A salary for Jeff, however small, was anything but guaranteed. Maybe for that reason, Jeff’s dad offered one main question on a walk soon after: “What are you going to do after this?”

Thirty-five years later, Jeff’s still behind an MHM desk. As it happens, in the smallest hallway office we’ve got. As our late staff member Rich Erwin used to say, “Jeff’s a visionary… he’s always got us out on the leading edge of things.” It’s clearly what Pastor Frank saw in Jeff, even if Jeff didn’t know who to call that first day.

Jeff, we’re grateful. We thank God for bringing you and us along, and look forward to the adventures ahead!

Above photo: Jeff and Heidi Johnsen in the 1980s. Not visible in the photo: Jeff’s mullet.