LIFT Renewal Ministries

Cultivating Pathways for Discipleship to Jesus Christ

About LIFT

LIFT Ministries is a servant organization dedicated to sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ and strengthening his disciples. LIFT is not restricted by geography or denominational affiliations and is therefore available to serve wherever God calls. Prayer and searching the scriptures create the foundation for LIFT Ministries. Cultivating passion, focus, and discipline for Christ provide the energy for our work.

LIFT serves Individuals and Congregations through:

Meet LIFT’s Executive Director

Dr. Robert Denham is a gifted lay leader, a valuable leader in his local church, and past California-Pacific Conference “Lay Person of the Year”. He served as Dean of the Graduate School of Education at the University of Redlands, is very involved in Kairos Prison Ministries, and is a devoted man of prayer. Bob has served on the LIFT Board of Directors for several years and been part of all the mission teams to Ghana, and made a recent trip to Bolivia for mission work.

Dr. Bob is married to Stephanie, who is a gifted teacher and ministry partner providing quiet but powerful prayer support. They have 2 adult children and 2 grandchildren. Bob and Stephanie are active members of University United Methodist Church in Redlands.

Meet LIFT’s Ministry Coordinator

Judy Gillham (J-Gill, as she is known at LIFT) came into ministry through a varied background that included nursing, photography, and other secular endeavors. Judy has spent the last 20+ years serving in churches and ministries, finding much satisfaction in utilizing her spiritual gifts to serve God’s people. At LIFT Ministries she enjoys leading Women’s Retreats, interacting with numerous congregations, pastors, and staff persons, helping to bring a renewed sense of encouragement through discipleship to Jesus Christ.

LIFT’s Prayer Ministry holds a special calling for J-Gill, and she enjoys sharing the joy of time spent with the Lord with others. She also has a big place in her heart for Church Secretaries (Admin. Assistants, Office Managers…) and their vitally important ministry roles in our local churches. In 2013, 2014 & 2015 Judy was part of the LIFT Team that traveled to Ghana to teach, preach, and witness with churches and leaders of the Methodist Church Ghana, West Africa.

Judy has an adult daughter, Katie, who lives in Portland, OR. She enjoys photography, keeping chickens, and traveling to anywhere there are trees, meadows, and wildlife.

Meet LIFT’s Founding Director

Rev. Bill Johnson is a passionate preacher of the Gospel whose gifts for ministry include leadership, teaching, and prophetic insight. He served 4 local congregations in California, including 2 start-up churches, until God called him to ministry as a full-time evangelist. Through LIFT Renewal Ministries, a non-profit ministry established for the purpose of helping pastors and congregations deepen their experience of Jesus Christ, he serves local churches as an evangelist, advocate, and spiritual friend. Rev. Johnson traveled 4 times to Ghana to teach spiritual leadership and discipleship for local pastors and laity, and had the opportunity to preach numerous times in local churches there. In 2014, Rev. Johnson was appointed to First UMC of Orange to serve as their Senior Pastor.

Pastor Bill is married to Dr. Judy Johnson, a licensed educational psychologist; they have three adult children and two grandchildren. He earned a BA in Studio Art from the University of Redlands and holds an M.Div. from the Claremont School of Theology. Bill is an avid cyclist and is an amateur bagpiper.