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DECEMBER 26, 2024 - JANUARY 1, 2025
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Vol. 89 No. 53
HERALD PERSON oF tHE YEAR ReginA Johnson
A home for faith and fellowship Overseer Regina Johnson brings healing, hope to Freeport By Mohammad Rafiq
Overseer Regina Johnson, founder and leader of Deeper Life Deliverance Fellowship, has devoted decades creating a space of hope, healing and spiritual growth for Freeport and surrounding communities. Since founding Deeper Life, the Freeport-based Christian ministry, in 1998, Johnson as overseer – or senior pastor – has guided it from humble beginnings to a thriving congregation of nearly 200 people. er love for The groundbreaking ceremony people, her in September for the church’s first dedicated sanctuary, to be built at 212 ability to preach South Ocean Ave., marked a longawaited milestone for Johnson and her and serve — it’s congregation. unmatched. “It’s been a long time coming, but She’s a blessing I do believe that each step of it has a to everyone plan,” the 77-year-old Johnson said. “All I can say is that God has been around her. there every step of the way.” For her unwavering commitment lEoN CoRBEtt to service, compassion and leadership, Bishop, the Freeport Herald is proud to name Greater Works Johnson its 2024 Person of the Year. Apostolic Ministries For years, Deeper Life has worshiped in shared spaces, most recently at Mount Calvary Baptist Church in Westbury. Johnson explained that the move became necessary during the pandemic after mold issues surfaced at First Presbyterian Church of Freeport, the congregation’s previous home. While this arrangement has worked for more than a decade, building a dedicated sanctuary has been a dream for Johnson since she purchased the property in 2015. The groundbreaking is more than a structural development — it is a testament to Johnson’s tireless dedication and the loyalty of her congregation. “We’re not a large congregation, or not what normally you would call a large congregation, but they’ve been faithful, they’ve worked, they’ve given of the resources,” Johnson said. Construction of the sanctuary could take up to 18 months, costing around $1.2 million, funded through donations and financing secured by the church. “They say a year to 18 months, depending on how quickly the supplies that are needed can be delivered and gotten to us,” Johnson said. “It depends on how quickly those things are done.”
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A ministry of service Overseer Johnson’s vision for Deeper Life has always extended beyond Sunday worship. The church’s outreach ministries have provided clothing, food and school supplies to hundreds of families across Freeport, Hempstead, Uniondale and other Long Island communities. “We’ve always done outreach,” Johnson said. “We’ve always been really active in outreach, clothing ministry, food pantry, where we service the communities with, you know, food and clothing and whatever needs that we found that the community needed.” Valerie Montgomery, a church elder, meaning an ordained preacher, highlighted Johnson’s hands-on leadership and persistence. “One of the things that it speaks to is her tenacity to keep going, is her drive, her love for God and her love for people,” Montgomery said. “She keeps on loving. That’s what pastors are supposed to have. She has a pastor’s heart, and she loves people Continued on page 2 Jason Thomas/Herald
With a heart for service, Overseer Regina Johnson has built a legacy of faith, healing and community support.