Transforming Trials

MARCH 10, 2025

For McCormick MDiv student Kim Johnson, life’s challenges have never been roadblocks—they have been opportunities to create something meaningful and give glory to God. As a coach, mentor, teacher, and real estate broker, Johnson has always dedicated herself to uplifting others. But in 2020, she faced a challenge unlike any before: a cancer diagnosis.

At the time, Johnson had already endured profound personal loss, completed her master’s degree, and was committed to building a bright and successful future. Determined not to let cancer define her, she immediately took charge of her circumstances. “If this is the last chapter, I want it to be the grand finale,” she recalls thinking. “And if it isn’t, I want to be in partnership with the caregivers.”

As she navigated her diagnosis, Johnson reflected on the elements that helped her persevere—her faith, daily affirmations, prayers, and reflective questions. She combined these spiritual and practical tools into a resource that would not only support her own journey but also serve others facing similar struggles. The result was Living With Breast Cancer, a workbook designed to help individuals prepare for the reality that life will never be the same.

The impact of this resource has been profound. Several hospitals across the Midwest now distribute Living With Breast Cancer to patients and caregivers, and Johnson continues to receive messages from women who have found comfort and strength in its pages. What began as a personal tool for coping has become a lifeline for many, transforming lives in ways she never anticipated.

For Johnson, who has been in remission since 2022, these responses are deeply moving but not unexpected. She has always trusted that God works through life’s trials, using every experience for a greater purpose. Enrolling at McCormick was yet another step in her journey of faith—an opportunity to deepen her understanding, build up those around her, and share the transformative power of Christ’s truth.

Johnson’s story is a testament to resilience, faith, and the power of saying "yes" to God’s call—even in the face of the unknown.