5 minutes with Jo-Anne

Tell us a little about you

I am a Sydney-based writer and speaker, with seven novels and four non-fiction books published. I also write a weekly blog and love speaking regularly at both community and church groups. For more information and to access my blogs, please visit www.jo-anneberthelsen.com.

I became a Christian at 15, after being invited to a church camp where I was overwhelmed to realise that Jesus was actually alive, that he knew me and loved me – that I truly mattered to him. From then on, I knew that, whatever I became in life, I needed to love and serve him with my whole heart.

After graduating from university, I married a minister and we now have three adult children and four grandchildren. I returned to study in my mid-thirties to gain a Diploma of Education, then again in my mid-forties to obtain a theology degree. While my husband was a minister and college lecturer, I knew God was calling me too to train for ministry in my own right. Little did I think then that, after serving on our church’s pastoral team where I loved preaching, I would become a writer and eventually speak again on the themes featured in my books. What a privilege!

Do you have a favourite Bible passage? If so, what is it and why?

Hard to choose one, but, for me, 1 John 3:1a sums up so much about the gospel:

See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! 

My whole life and ministry depend on knowing the amazing love and grace of God – on resting in the truth that I am God’s much-loved child, totally known, totally loved, totally accepted through Jesus. Whatever else changes in life, I know I am safe in God’s arms.

How do you keep your eyes fixed on Jesus?

Usually each morning, after reflecting on the Lectio365 devotion for the day, I continue making my own way slowly through some part of Scripture, then take with me into my day one key phrase or verse God has impressed on me. I always keep my bible open on my desk as I write, so I can remind myself of that key thought throughout my day and consciously rest again in God’s loving presence.

Our beautiful church family also helps keep me focused on Jesus. But I have a wonderful prayer team of ten women too who pray for me whenever I speak somewhere and for any issue I face in my writing. I believe their prayer has kept me focused on Jesus through it all rather than on myself and my own abilities and achievements.

What would you like the next generation of Christian women to know?

I would love them to know deep down who they are in God – that, whatever happens, they belong to God and are wholly loved and accepted through Jesus. Then, on that sure foundation, they can listen to Jesus and step out to do and be all he has created them to do and be, at whatever stage of life they find themselves.

I would also love them to know that, while they may experience personal doubts and even opposition as they step into the unique ministries or roles God has for them, God will give them the courage and perseverance to keep going. What they offer may look very different from what others offer, but it is equally valid and needed in a world that desperately needs to know God’s love.

What’s one thing that you love about your local church?

Only one? Hmm! I love that our church’s pastoral team at Parramatta Baptist is led by a faithful, humble, servant-hearted married couple who model clearly each Sunday the vital ministry both women and men have and encourage younger women and men equally to pursue God’s call on their lives. Their own servant-hearted ministry for over thirty years has, I believe, impacted the DNA of our church so that all sorts of ministries are carried out quietly among us and beyond in a way that truly blesses others.

What did you learn about God during a time in your life that you found hard?

While I was writing one of my recent non-fiction books, Swansong: start creating your legacy of life-giving words today, a close family member went through a hugely difficult time in their own family. Just at that point, I was trying to complete a chapter on ‘Words of Comfort’, then write another titled, ‘Words of Peace’ – yet I felt so worried and sad and was in such turmoil. I knew I had to meet a publisher’s deadline, however, so ploughed on. As I did, God spoke to me clearly through the various Scripture verses I decided to quote in my book – wonderful, comforting, encouraging words from the Psalms and Isaiah in particular, as well as Jesus’ words in John 14:27: Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. Through this whole experience, I learnt once again that God is so close to the broken-hearted and desires so much to comfort and strengthen us.

What are you passionate about?

I love using the words I write and speak to reach out to others, both women and men, who do not as yet know God’s love and also to draw those who do even closer to God. I am so grateful I get to speak at many senior community groups in particular and display my books. I try to listen to the Spirit’s prompting and say something at least about God and faith in an appropriate way as the opportunity arises, both in my input and in conversations at my book table. And at church too or wherever, I love to minister in prayer through the words God gives me as people share a need with me or as I simply offer to pray for them.

What do you enjoy doing when you rest?

Being a complete ‘word nerd’, I love crossword puzzles and, of course, reading, as well as doing what I can at times to help other authors in their writing journeys. I also enjoy the occasional 1000-piece jigsaw puzzle – and playing all sorts of board games with our grandchildren who constantly beat me!