Joanna Vinstra: A Life Surrendered to God's Call

Joanna Vinstra's life is a powerful testament to the transformative power of God's calling and the profound impact of a life fully surrendered to Him. Born in 1894 in a Dutch community in New Jersey, Joanna's early life was marked by rebellion and a pursuit of worldly pleasures. However, a pivotal encounter with her church pastor led to a profound spiritual awakening. Despite her initial resistance, Joanna experienced a deep conviction of sin and a longing for spiritual peace, which culminated in her complete surrender to God. This marked the beginning of a life dedicated to serving others and spreading the Gospel.

Joanna's journey took her from assisting in local missions in New Jersey to training in midwifery and evangelism in New York. Her heart was moved by the plight of unreached tribes in Africa, and she felt a divine call to serve in Nigeria. Despite the challenges and spiritual darkness she encountered, Joanna's unwavering faith and reliance on prayer enabled her to persevere. She learned the local language, preached the Gospel, and engaged in spiritual warfare through prayer, often spending hours in communion with God.

Her life was characterized by a deep understanding of the Holy Spirit's role in ministry. Joanna realized that true spiritual fruitfulness required being crucified with Christ, emptied of self, and filled with the Holy Spirit's power. This revelation transformed her approach to ministry, as she recognized that the work was not hers but the Holy Spirit's. Her constant communion with God was the source of her strength and success as a missionary.

Joanna's commitment to discipline and holiness in the church was unwavering. She believed in addressing sin directly and maintaining strict standards of righteousness, even when it meant facing opposition. Her courage to confront sin and her reliance on the Holy Spirit for discernment and strength were central to her ministry.

Despite her short life, Joanna's legacy lives on through the seeds of faith she planted in Nigeria. Her story is a reminder of the power of a life fully surrendered to God and the eternal impact of faithful obedience.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Joanna Vinstra's transformation from a rebellious youth to a devoted servant of God highlights the power of divine intervention and the importance of complete surrender to God's will. Her story reminds us that true peace and joy come from yielding our lives to God. [03:52]
• 2. Joanna's journey to Nigeria underscores the significance of responding to God's call, even when it leads to challenging and unfamiliar territories. Her willingness to learn the local language and adapt to the culture demonstrates the importance of cultural sensitivity in mission work. [06:30]
• 3. The secret to Joanna's spiritual fruitfulness was her deep communion with God and reliance on the Holy Spirit. Her life exemplifies the necessity of being crucified with Christ, emptied of self, and filled with the Holy Spirit's power for effective ministry. [08:55]
• 4. Joanna's commitment to discipline and holiness in the church serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of addressing sin directly and maintaining strict standards of righteousness. Her courage to confront sin and reliance on the Holy Spirit for discernment are essential for spiritual leadership. [22:37]
• 5. Despite her short life, Joanna's legacy lives on through the seeds of faith she planted in Nigeria. Her story is a testament to the eternal impact of faithful obedience and the power of a life fully surrendered to God. [33:12]
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Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:17] - Introduction to Joanna Vinstra
• [00:49] - Early Life and Rebellion
• [02:03] - A Divine Encounter
• [03:23] - Struggle and Surrender
• [04:10] - Early Ministry Work
• [05:13] - Call to Africa
• [06:30] - Preparation for Mission
• [07:33] - Arrival in Nigeria
• [08:21] - Spiritual Awakening
• [09:45] - The Role of the Holy Spirit
• [11:42] - Challenges in Takum
• [12:43] - Power of Prayer
• [14:16] - Spiritual Warfare
• [17:06] - Ministry in Donga
• [19:17] - Confronting Sin
• [22:37] - Importance of Discipline
• [29:01] - Legacy and Impact
• [31:06] - Final Words and Legacy

1. Luke 9:62 - "No man, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God."
2. Joshua 5:14 - "And he said, Nay; but as captain of the host of the LORD am I now come. And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and did worship, and said unto him, What saith my lord unto his servant?"
3. Hebrews 13:7 - "Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation."

1. What was the turning point in Joanna Vinstra's life that led her to fully surrender to God? [03:23]
2. How did Joanna's understanding of the Holy Spirit's role in her ministry change her approach to her work in Nigeria? [09:11]
3. What were some of the cultural and spiritual challenges Joanna faced when she arrived in Nigeria? [11:56]
4. How did Joanna's commitment to discipline and holiness manifest in her interactions with the church in Donga? [18:31]

1. What does it mean to be "crucified with Christ, emptied of self, and filled with power," and how did this understanding impact Joanna's ministry? [08:55]
2. How does Joanna's story illustrate the importance of cultural sensitivity and adaptation in mission work? [06:30]
3. In what ways did Joanna's reliance on prayer and the Holy Spirit equip her to confront sin and maintain discipline within the church? [22:37]
4. How does Joanna's life exemplify the eternal impact of faithful obedience to God's calling? [33:12]

1. Joanna experienced a profound spiritual awakening after a pivotal encounter with her pastor. Reflect on a time when a conversation or event led to a significant change in your spiritual journey. What was it, and how did it impact you? [02:03]
2. Joanna's journey to Nigeria required her to learn a new language and adapt to a different culture. Is there a situation in your life where you need to step out of your comfort zone to respond to God's call? How can you prepare for it? [06:30]
3. Joanna's deep communion with God was the source of her strength. What practices can you incorporate into your daily routine to deepen your relationship with God? [10:20]
4. Joanna was committed to addressing sin directly within the church. How do you approach confronting sin in your own life or in the lives of others? What steps can you take to do this with love and discernment? [22:37]
5. Despite her short life, Joanna's legacy continues through the seeds of faith she planted. What legacy do you hope to leave behind, and what actions can you take now to work towards that legacy? [33:12]
6. Joanna's story emphasizes the importance of complete surrender to God's will. Is there an area of your life where you struggle to fully surrender to God? What steps can you take to trust Him more in that area? [03:38]
7. Joanna's life motto was "only be strong and of a good courage." How can you apply this motto to a current challenge you are facing? [25:38]