Who is Joanne Langford?
Over the past 45 years, Joanne has counselled, taught, and guided thousands of people. God has used her course on Knowing Yourself to help thousands of individuals know themselves and understand and relate to others in a more profound way. Many have had relationships restored, found new hope, and come to know God at a deeper, more intimate and personal level.
She lives to help others find a measure of the joy she has found in God's healing, serving God by serving others.
Early Life
Joanne grew up on a ranch in the mountains of British Columbia, Canada. Horses became a passion at a young age for their strength, gracefulness and freedom. At home, she was shy but loved to listen to her parents’ conversations with friends about their lives, struggles, joys and relationships. She learned so much just by listening.
She also learned about suffering. Abused as a young child, she felt worthless, broken and useless. But God did not give up on Joanne based on how she felt.
“When I see someone gently train a horse, I am reminded of how gentle God has been leading me. He never pushed, He never pulled, He just waited till I responded to His leading.”
Working on a guest ranch, Joanne learned more about people, how to relate with others and that she had value. The significant change came at age 22 when she accepted the Lord, and her life began to change. She longed to share the desire to help others find God and the life, joy, and freedom she had found in Him.
“When I see someone gently train a horse, I am reminded of how gentle God has been leading me. He never pushed, He never pulled, He just waited till I responded to His leading.” Jo.
Career
Over the years there have been many different jobs, with different people on different continents. But some things have stayed the same, a love of listening and the desire to use her spiritual gifts to walk with/alongside people through their pain. Following God meant leaving comfortable places behind and learning to respond to God’s gentle leading. In 1987, Joanne left the Canadian Rockies for the Andes Mountains of Bolivia for a ministry working with youth in Sucre. On the outside, ministry was going great. On the inside, Joanne was falling apart. She was ready to throw in the towel. God graciously provided help and people who would listen to her and walk with her.
“My heart was in pieces and broken and almost destroyed. I told God either you do something or I’m not coming back. And He did.”
After a pause to receive counseling and to study a Masters in Biblical Counseling, she returned to Bolivia and was soon in great demand by leaders and missionaries for her counseling services. She continued to listen and counsel, and soon realized that there are many wounded people from various cultural backgrounds and social levels who really needed help. Reflecting on the healing process that God had taken her through, Joanne developed a series of lessons called Understanding Yourself and taught the workshop in cities throughout Bolivia.
2003 brought more change. God led Joanne to leave behind all other ministry so that she could focus on counseling and teaching counseling courses full-time. Over one thousand people have been trained to be counselors. She has listened to a library worth of stories of brokenness as she walks alongside others through personal counseling.
“Change happens when people start to be honest and truthful about where they really are.”
After 35 years in Bolivia, it’s now time to return to the Canadian Rockies. The love of listening to people started as a young girl. It was expanded through counseling skills and honed through lots of practice. Joanne’s love of sharing what she has received inspires her to continue walking alongside of those who desire healing and are in need of a listening ear and compassionate heart.
Written by: Paul Knudson - Director SIM Bolivia, Friend
Personal Life
The story of how a single woman came to have 8 children, 11 grandchildren, and 4 great-grandchildren.
GOD GIVES THE CHILDLESS WOMAN A FAMILY, MAKING HER A HAPPY MOTHER. PRAISE THE LORD!
Psalm 113:9
Giving Back
"EPEC - Enseñanzas Para El Corazón" Teachings For The Heart
In her walk with God, Joanne has learned many things, and it is these lessons that she so freely teaches to others. In EPEC, she shares in many ways, but the most important gift is her God-given ability to listen to the wounded and provide them with a glimpse of God’s heart, love, grace and care for all of us.
