J.G. Zoellner, Missionary

” Mobilizing church members to reach their own community enables a church to bridge the contextuel gap naturally, the very thing that must be done if we are to carry forward the urgent business of reaching urban communities for Christ. ” (Conn & Ortiz, Urban Ministry, 2001, p. 469)

In 2024, the Zoellners continue their primary ministry of urban mission. John Garnet (Jean in French)  is associate minister of  L’Église réformée St-Jean in the heart of Montréal. Working as a team, he and Daryl focus on discipleship:  (1) preaching grace and practicing justice, trusting the Holy Spirit will use them to make new disciples of Jesus;  and (2) equipping and mobilizing fellow believers to reach their urban communities for Jesus.

Born and raised in Canada, JG (1955) and Daryl (1956) have been ministering in French-speaking Canada since 1983. From 1983 to 2015, they had the joy and honour of serving 3 mission churches (Beauce, Quebec City, Montreal) and of pastoring 2 of them (Beauce, Montreal). In JG’s last pastoral role, from 1998 – 2015, the Zoellners served an international, inter-cultural congregation in downtown Montreal. During this time they saw men and women become Christians, take initiative in local congregations and integrate their faith into their workplaces and professions, both in Quebec and in many places around the French-speaking world.

From 2015 – 2021, John Garnet was Director of Institut de théologie réformée Farel in Montréal, focusing on missionary and pastoral training for future and current leaders in French-speaking churches. These students pursue their studies (B.Th, M.Div.) at the Faculté de théologie évangélique de Montréal, with whom Farel is affiliated.

Beginning in 2021 and until today, John Garnet continues in urban mission / pastoral ministry in centre-city Montreal. He and Daryl most often work together as a team. Daryl is a visual artist and art educator (BFA, Concordia University Montreal) and is involved in community-based art therapy and teaching in Montreal. John Garnet continues to teach part-time at the Faculté de théologie évangélique  (Urban Missions, Pastoral Ministry) as well as doing short-term courses – both on-line and in person – for ministers/church planters/leaders from countries such as Senegal, Algeria, Burkina Faso, and Congo.

Now at the end of their 60s, they hope to serve with vigour – one day at a time – as long as God enables them to do so.