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LIFE IN ABUNDANCELuther Seminary Donor Sees Fruitsof Her Labor Nearly a Decade LaterSylvia Johnson impacted Adam Dvorakwhen he was a fifth-grade Sundayschool student, and now he’s pursuingbiblical studies.“I selected Sylvia as a teacher who madea difference in my life because she reallyinfluenced me,” said Dvorak. Johnsonshowed patience with her sometimesrowdy class and earnestly taught themabout the Bible and Christianity.By John Klawiter, M.Div. juniorDo you remember your fifthgradeteacher? Now dig a littledeeper. Do you remember yourfifth-grade Sunday school teacher?Adam Dvorak does. In fact, whenthe honor student graduated fromNorth St. Paul High School this spring,he was asked to select a teacher whomade a difference. He chose hisfifth-grade Sunday school teacher,Sylvia Johnson, at First LutheranChurch in White Bear Lake, Minn.“Frankly, I was just shocked that I hadmade such an impression on him,”says Johnson. “He said that I took abunch of very active boys and turnedthem around. We had a fun class.”Johnson is a donor to Luther Seminary,and her late husband, Pastor DwightJohnson, was one of the founders ofthe Global Mission Institute.“In the years after that, even upthrough high school, I rememberseeing her still teaching Sundayschool, attending services and justbeing active around the church,” saidDvorak. “She is a model of serviceand volunteerism.” Johnson stillteaches Sunday school, and Dvorak isattending Bethel College and workingtoward a degree in biblical studies.“Sylvia was a factor in my decisionto pursue biblical studies. Not onlydid she educate me about the basicsof my faith, I think she might haveplanted the seed of my interest intheology,” said Dvorak. “She hasthe heart of a servant. I also havea passion for serving others. I thinkthat passion for serving was probablyinfluenced by the example thatSylvia showed me.” ●24STORY Fall 2009