Joni Ames is an itinerant prophetic minister, writer, teacher, encourager, mentor, mother and grandma. Joni was born Joni Faith Fasekas in Fort Worth, Texas, on November 3, 1954, and raised in Los Angeles, California until her family moved in time for her to start Junior High School in Erie, Pennsylvania, where she attended Gridley Jr. High, Strong Vincent Sr. High (10th & 11th grade) and graduated in 1972 from Mc Dowel Sr. High.
Joni recently moved to the Charleston, WV area, with her two puppies, Simba and Toby, to live near her daughter Jennifer & daughter's husband Maynard and grandchildren Zachary, Megan, & Brooke.
Joni lived in Charlotte NC for over 20 years, and was a long time member of MorningStar Ministries, Rick Joyner, pastor. She has been involved with and a part of MorningStar since she was one of their first five employees (she was Rick & Steve's secretary) in 1990. Joni has also been ordained under Jim & Michal Ann Goll's ministry out of Franklin, TN, and Christian International (Bishop Bill Hamon) in Santa Rosa Beach, FL.
Joni has a son C.J. (30) who lives in Florida, and a daughter Jennifer (31) who is a nurse, married to Maynard Tanner, living near Charleston, WV, with their three children, Zachary (8 1/2 ) and Megan (6 1/2) and Brooke (1 1/2) - Joni's three VERY special grandchildren!
Joni moved to the Carolinas in 1985 to 'start over' and raise her two children, Jennifer and C.J., "in the Bible Belt," and lived there until the spring of 2008. (Except for one year in Kansas City for the first year of IHOP - International House of Prayer - and eight months in the Florida panhandle).
Over the years, Joni served in many capacities in whatever local fellowship she
belonged to, including teaching children, youth, women's and adult Sunday school
classes. She also headed up Women's' Ministry, Prayer Teams, Singles Ministry,
Single Parents' Ministry and did church newsletters and other administrative work. She
additionally became active in Women's Aglow and served on her local Aglow's
Executive Board. - She believes her life has been her main school of ministry. - And that others' lives also are for them.
Joni has worked at several internationally known ministries, as well as waitressing and
working as a graphics designer in a print shop. Her work resume includes: PTL-TV Network/Heritage USA; a radio station owned by the Jimmy Swaggart Evangelistic Association; a radio station owned by Pat Robertson's Broadcast Equities; as secretary at MorningStar Publications; a Graphics Designer at a print shop; as SinglesAdministrator for several hundred singles and single parents at Central Church of God in Charlotte, NC; Executive Assistant to U.S. Director of Derek Prince Publications & Ministries; as a pastor's secretary; waitress in a restaurant; and in several different secretarial "temp" services.
While Joni received her main prophetic training at both MorningStar and Christian
International, she has also "dipped in the prophetic streams" at Kansas City (she was
there from May of 1999 to Aug. of 2000 for the first year of Shiloh and IHOP - International House Of Prayer -
the Franklin & Nashville, TN area at Jim & Michal Ann Goll's Ministry To The Nations
Some of Joni's writing has been featured in the MorningStar Journal and she is often a featured writer on Steve Shultz' prophetic e-mail newsletter, Elijah List (www.elijahlist.com ) and several other prophetic internet newsletters. Joni believes in cross pollination and unity among the streams and is also therefore in several ministry fellowships across denominational lines.
Joni has taught in churches of many varied denominations; at conferences; government offices; to staff and employees at various Christian businesses that request her to minister to them; Women's Aglow groups; Full Gospel Businessmen groups; Marketplace Ministry groups, teens, singles & women's groups; house groups; prisons;and wherever the Lord leads. (See calendar at: http://members.aol.com/joniames/itinerary.htm - you are welcome to contact those listed for references.) - Joni travels extensively.
Joni believes that those in ministry are called to mentor and train others. She says, "We are to be mentors, not tormentors! - Operating in the anointing, not the 'annoying!' - Launching others into ministry, not misery! - Being prophetic, not pathetic!"
Joni believes that the job of the five fold ministry is "for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry," (Eph. 4:11) and that "...the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love." (Eph. 4:16)
Joni's teachings vary according to what she feels the Lord gives to her for a particular group or area, after which she often flows in personal prophetic words for many of the individuals who attend her meetings. (Note: Although it sometimes happens, she does not promise to prophesy over "everyone," but only over those the Lord points out.)
Joni believes that the Lord wants to encourage and activate the Laborers as we continue to move into the harvest, and does share specific types of teachings (i.e., teaching and activating others in personal prophetic ministry, intercession, etc.) when requested to do so. However, she believes that "fresh bread" is vital and much needed in the Body today and loves it when those who contact her allow her to bring in "whatever the Lord is saying at present."
Joni's ministry is not limited to women, but she does hold one large (attendance at times up to about 1200 ladies) Elijah List sponsored Womens' Prophetic Destiny conference every year, with a large team of women of all backgrounds, denominations, nationalities and colors working with her to accomplish this. She has also held retreats for women who are in or desiring to be in ministry.
Joni feels that a major part of her call is that she is to teach and raise up others in ministry and they often travel with her to share their ministry giftings and begin stepping out in what they are called to do.
Joni's life is a full time, faith based and offering supported ministry. When not "on the road," she depends on financial love gifts others send so she can spend some time studying, praying, planning and strategizing future meetings, as well as writing and keeping up her two websites. - Even the administration part takes a lot of work, especially since she doesn't have a full time secretary! Her lifestyle is kept simple (rents a small one bedroom apartment, drives 9+ year old car, etc.) and her "office" is in her home, so she can avoid the "asking" as much as possible, but there are "times" when a particular request needs to be sent out. What come in helps her survive another day, pay bills, put gas in the car, do the everyday life things and help keep her doing what she is called to do.
NOTE regarding Joni Ames by Jim Goll, on Elijah List, Feb. 2004: "Joni Ames is becoming one of the clearest prophetic voices who articulates what is happening in today's' contemporary society and by the Holy Spirit's help properly interprets it with true relatable meaning for the every day person to understand."
Wasted on Jesus!
James W. Goll
Ministry to the Nations
"Joni Ames exemplifies a rare balance of ministry in the Spirit and the Word. God has
tested this special servant of His in many ways over the years, and in each case there
has been a greater release of the sweet fragrance of Christ. Joni can encourage
others who are in the crucible, because she has successful passed through the
crucible herself. I highly recommend her ministry as a prophetic teacher to the body of
Christ. Individually and corporately, the people of God are impacted by her life and her
messages." ~ Jim Buchan, Crosslink Ministries/Crosslink Fellowship Network,
Windmill Publications, Charlotte, NC, Ph. 704-708-8150, E-mail:
"Our congregation has been so blessed by the ministry of Joni Ames. Her
prophetic gift is among the most balanced I have ever experienced. Our
people are encouraged every time Joni ministers to them, challenged to draw
closer to God and opened up to the great invitation God puts before them to
seek His plans and purposes for their lives. There never is any intimidation
connected with Joni's ministry, she is gentle, humble and absolutely "right
on"." - The late Pastor Kerry Andrews, New Heights Assembly, York, Nebraska
"Our lives and church have been affected by Joni Ames in numerous ways. She has
introduced us to the prophetic ministry in a way that we didn't know existed.
Consequently, our church has never been the same! She has profoundly affected the
personal lives and ministries of our church body, not just prophetically but in her
teachings as well. You can depend on Joni to speak what is on the heart of God. We
are blessed by her wisdom and discernment. Her teachings often clue in to the very
core of issues affecting our body. Concerning her prophetic gift, we totally trust Joni.
She is always courteous to the hearer and speaks the truth with a compassion that
is completely non-threatening. Lives are literally changed each time she has
ministered in our body. Joni has become a friend of ours and we unreservedly
reccomend her to any church or minsitry that is hungering for God."
- Larry and Shannon Peterson, Shiloh Church, Norfolk, NE
E-mail: shannon400@yahoo.com
"Joni Ames moves in the prophetic gift of the Word of knowledge to individuals bringing
hope and encouragement. Her humble, down-to-earth approach opens hearts to
receive the word of the Lord. Joni has ministered to our Body of believers several times
over the past years and is a great blessing. She teaches the Word of God using
lessons she has learned from her own walk with the Lord. We heartily recommend her
ministry."
- Pastors Tom & Anne Rasmussen, Grace Church, Newman Grove, NE
E-mail: traslife@albion.net
"It is with great pleasure that I recommend Joni Ames Ministry to the Body of Christ.
The Holy Ghost uses Joni to bring comfort and healing words to the wounded and
broken hearted.The words of inspiration have helped many in our fellowship of
Heartland Aglow to continue to walk our daily walk with Jesus. I have had Joni in my
home and she has even ministered to many of my catholic friends who really felt the
love of Jesus in Joni. She is a dear, sweet lady, who love Jesus."
- Heartland Aglow President, Janey Dubas, Kearney, NE
E-Mail: jsabud@nebi.com
If you would like to have Joni minister
to your group, contact her using above information
**********
Work history resume of:
Joni Ames
E-Mail: JoniAmes@aol.com
OBJECTIVE: Full time ministry position where I may utilize my talents to the best of my ability for the best benefit of both the Body of Christ and the call of God on my life.
SKILLS:
Secretarial: Shorthand - 80 to 100 wpm, Typing 60 - 70 wpm, Bookkeeping, 10-Key Calculator, WordPerfect, Aldus Page Maker/Desktop Publishing, Microsoft Word & Excel, Data Entry, Switchboard, Effective Liaison, Not easily rattled, Sensitive to others' needs, Good Organizational Ability, Able to handle multiple tasks simultaneously, Good common sense, Good people skills, Good Time Management, Good Oral & Written Communications Skills
Management: Extensive experience managing people, including management of hotel staff of 150 - also including experience managing other managers; Able to manage a broad range of internal and external contacts with discretion, diplomacy, and concern; Able to anticipate department needs and do whatever is necessary to meet those needs.
Personal: Team player; Respond to daily pressures and challenges with a positive attitude; Dependable; Loyal to company and supervisor; Maintain confidences; Able to schedule and re-schedule priorities when necessary. Get along well with most everyone.
EDUCATION: York Tech College, Rock Hill, SC (1990 - 1991)
GPA: 4.0/Dean's List for Academic Excellence.
Business & Computer Skills courses, including Accounting I & II & III.
WORK EXPERIENCE:
1/96 - Present: Personal traveling and speaking in churches and working for temporary secretarial agencies when home.
11/94 - 1/96: Personal Assistant to Exec. Director-Vice Pres./Administration- U.S. Office Administrator, Mark DeVito, DEREK PRINCE PUBLICATIONS/MINISTRIES, Charlotte, NC Office Management/Secretarial support to Executive Director-Vice President/Administration, as well as U.S. Office Administrator.
Duties including, but not limited to: typing; filing; computer data base management; written and oral communications to staff and local pastors; schedule management, local events and pastoral devotions for staff; preparation and maintenance of monthly reports (appeal analysis, masterfile analysis, mail analysis); all phases of personnel department duties - including processing applications; health & dental insurance; credit union; personnel files; & related duties. Coordinator of: conferences, inner city outreach, prison ministry outreach, pastors' packet program, prayer support groups, Christian school outreach, and youth outreach. Upkeep of mailing lists and communications with all involved.
Reason left: To travel and teach in churches and work temp jobs when home.
7/93 - 7/94: Singles Administrator/Secretary to Singles Pastor, Gene Shelton
CENTRAL CHURCH OF GOD, Charlotte, NC
Office Management/Secretarial Support to Singles Pastor. Including, but not limited to, set up and up keep of data base management; typing; filing; computer operation; taking dictation; written and oral communications to staff, singles leadership, and attending singles; management of schedule for counseling, meetings, and events; supplies and materials management; preparation and maintenance of yearly budgets; leadership training; selection of volunteers and arrangement of schedules; one-on-one counseling, prayer, and support. Instituted Single Parents Ministry, Homeless Ministry, Singles Acts 2 House-to-House Fellowships, and Homeless Ministry Outreach. Overseeing all phases of Singles Ministry; act as Singles Pastor in his absence (He often visited mission in Ecuador for 2-6 wks.
Reason left: Offered job at Derek Prince Publications.
7/91 to 5/93: Customer Service/Graphic Design & Secretary for owner, Norman Kaneklides, KWIK COPIES, Charlotte, NC
Operation of Macintosh SE/30 with several database programs, including Aldus Page Maker Desktop Publishing, Microsoft Word, and Aldus Freehand. Responsible for taking customer orders and complaints and daily typesetting, layout, proofreading, graphic design, and processing to the finished product: letters, forms, contracts, reports, resumes, newsletters, advertisements, flyers, brochures, pamphlets, business cards, letterheads & envelopes, bulk mailings, invitations, form letters, post cards, tickets, coupons, announcements, price lists, menus, transparencies, proposals, purchase orders, labels. Included in the processing of the above: High volume copying/duplicating, bindery (GBC, velo, hard bindery), collating, folding, stapling, laminating, padding, perforating, hole punching, numbering, reducing & enlarging, facsimile service, mailing service, etc. Also responsible for customer service/customer satisfaction.
Reason left: Laid off due to company consolidation and cut-backs. Staff with most seniority maintained.
4/90 - 7/91 Enrolled in York Tech College, Rock Hill, SC
I worked at several temporary jobs in this time period as well as working in the Child Development Center under the work study program at the college, inputting lessons and programs into college computer system.
2/90-4/90 Sales Assistant/Production Asst. to General Manager & Sales Manager, Jon Hamilton/Brad Bacon, WCNT RADIO, Charlotte, NC, Division of Broadcast Equities, CBN Radio, Virginia Beach, VA
Acted as assistant to Sales Manager/Sales and staff and to traffic director for all news/all talk radio station; Processed sales contracts; Developed and maintained sales kits; Answered telephones; Scheduled on-air interviews; Helped in all areas of secretarial support. Set up and operation of JDS Traffic System.
Reason left: Position phased out after training personnel of new owners. (Station no longer in existence.)
10/89-2/90 Traffic Director, Office Mgr. & Secretary to General Mgr. & Sales Mgr. Jon Hamilton/Brad Bacon, WAME RADIO, Charlotte, NC
Division of Sonlife Radio, Jimmy Swaggart Ministries, Baton Rouge, LA
Responsible for all phases of office management; Traffic - Manually processed and scheduled programs and commercials; Processed payroll; Developed and maintained sales kits. Handled data base management; Trained in-coming staff from Virginia Beach.
Reason left: Station sold; kept on staff by new owners to train their in-coming staff.
1/85-10/89: Please note: all of the following positions were at one place of business, where I continually moved up. In addition, at the two radio stations above, my supervisor from PTL, Brad Bacon, was so pleased with my work that he took me with him to his next job when we were all let go.
HERITAGE USA/PTL TV NETWORK HOTEL-RESORT-CONFERENCE CENTER, Fort Mill, SC
Assistant to the General Manager of the Heritage Grand Hotel, Brad Bacon
Organized & Managed Executive Office; Reconstructed filing system; Introduced and instituted the use of Word Processing system in both the Sales and Executive Offices (WordPerfect); Took dictation, transcribed and distributed minutes of meetings; Liaison between lower & upper level management; Maintenance of Manager on Duty scheduling; Acted as Manager during absence of Manager; Organized & maintained regularly scheduled guest speaker schedules; Designed & introduced use of local, regional, and national mailing lists for press releases for events; Responded to guest comments & complaints; Followed up on Manager On Duty reports and maintenance & housekeeping needs; Maintained bookkeeping for 5 retail stores owned by Heritage USA; Served as secretary to the General Manager of the hotel; Acted as secretary for the Merchant's Association of Heritage USA (an elected office); Designed and distributed press releases; Designed flyers, signs, and recreation area schedules.
(Also spoke at partner Bible Study Seminars and devotions, & wrote copy for inspirational Gospel Music Program, "Showcase '90" & assisted producer at the Inspirational Network.)
Reason left: Business closed.
6/88-12/88 Rentals & Leasing Coordinator, Retail Administration Office
Acted as Administrative Assistant to Property Manager In Charge; Managed Retail Administration Office; Handled bookkeeping for five PTL owned stores and billing & bookkeeping for 25+ leased stores; Processed leasing of 25+ retail areas; Liaison between tenants & property manager and between store managers and Heritage USA; Acted as voting member of the Merchant's Association; Took dictation and minutes of meetings and distributed them to proper areas; Managed Welcome Center for entire park; Processed payroll; Managed Retail and Rentals & Leasing offices.
5/87-6/88 General Store Manager (Convenience Store, Gas Station, & Gift Shoppe) Inventory & Supply Control; Train & oversee 12 full time employees (including assistant manager, secretary, lead clerks, & support staff); Budget control; Maintained inside and outside appearance of store; Instituted fast food area; Instituted registration of campers for campgrounds and trained others on IBM computer registration procedures; Processed deposits and financial reports; Processed and maintained licensing for store, gas pumps, and LP gas; Ticketing and merchandising; Customer satisfaction; Sales & marketing; Work schedules; Processed payroll.
12/86-5/87 Administrative Secretary, Retail Administration Office
Bookkeeping for 6 retail stores; Trained store managers on the institution and use of new budget forms; Processed payroll for entire retail division; Took dictation of meetings and distributed minutes to proper areas; Processed purchase orders for merchandise inventory; Supply control; Managed retail office; Acted as secretary/assistant to Retail Vice President & to the Head Buyer.
7/86-12/86 Accounts Payable Supervisor, Retail Accounting Department
Supervised A/P operations for profit making portion of Christian Resort; Processed invoices and receipt of documents to automatic data processing company; Responsible to pay verified invoices, per aging report; Liaison between vendors and corporation managers; Developed training manual for new accounting clerks; Developed new filing system; Placed old files on microfilm.
2/85-7/85 Administrative Secretary to the Retail Accounting Division Head
Acted as secretary/assistant to accounting division head; Handled bookkeeping for six retail stores; Processed invoices and receiving for payment; Typing; Data base management; Processed payroll; Liaison between accounting and other divisions; Distribution of ADP reports to proper areas.
Reason left: Laid off due to company cut-backs, but hired back on into above position.
1985-1986 Secretary/Bookkeeper, FAITH ASSEMBLY OF GOD CHURCH, Rock Hill, SC. Secretary to pastor & church; Responsible for full charge bookkeeping; Dictation; Typing; Filing; Processed payroll; Communications with staff, members, other pastors, and various churches; Acted as receptionist; Scheduled meetings and trips; Developed flyers and announcements.
Reason left: Called back to work at Heritage USA/more pay & benefits.
1983-1985 Music Store Manager, YUSKO MUSIC CO., Erie, PA. Managed 12 full-time employees; Supply and inventory control; Full charge of store/staff.
Reason left: Received better job offer in SC.
1981-1983 Secretary, INTERFAITH WORSHIP CENTER, Erie, PA
Pastor's Personal Secretary/receptionist for church: Advertising; Events scheduling; Typing & filing; Phone counseling; Liaison between pastor, members, & staff.
Reason Left: Suffered divorce and needed full-time employment & benefits.
1979-1980 Secretary, BEHREND COLLEGE DIV. OF PENN STATE UNIVERSITY, Erie, PA. Secretary/receptionist of Instructional Communications Center (Audio Visual Department). Processed film orders and payroll and supervised eight student staff members; Operated college film studio; Liaison between staff & students; Operated computer information center; Budget keeping.
Reason Left: Husband transferred to Texas.
1975-1976 Assistant Manager/Manager Trainee, HILLS DEPARTMENT STORE
W. 38th St., Erie, PA. Sales, ticketing, & merchandising; Bookkeeping; Inventory & supply control; Trained other sales staff; Supervision of four sales clerks.
Reason Left: Got married & had baby.
ACTIVITIES: Free Lance Writer of Christian Inspirational Poetry; Travel & speak to Christian groups and churches.
INTERESTS: Reading, studying & teaching the Bible; going to the movies; attending my church and other interesting Christian functions; helping people; writing poetry and short articles; listening to music; photography; going "exploring' - searching out new and interesting places to see.
