Amy Katherine Beukema

Amy Katherine Beukema entered the presence of the Lord on October 20, 2025. She was born on May 2, 1961 in Johnson City, New York; the youngest child of Melvin and Joanne Bowman, of Castle Creek, New York. She is preceded in death by her brother Joel Bowman. Amy is survived by her husband John of Georgetown, Texas, daughter Jathniel Amy Shepherd, her husband Aaron Shepherd, their children John Oliver, Samuel, Virginia; and daughter Charissa Joy Beukema, all of Cincinnati, Ohio. Amy is also survived by her parents; her sister Beth Morgan, husband Ken, their five children and families; sister-in-law Bonnie Bowman, and their three children and families.

Amy was known for her love of the Lord Jesus, her beautiful smile, and her readiness to serve God in the ways he had gifted her. She met John at their home church in Binghamton, New York when she was 10 and he was 13. After John graduated from college, they were reunited when they both joined a singing group called "Blessed Hope" and soon began dating. They were married on September 11, 1982.

Over the next 43 years, Amy faithfully followed God's call to serve alongside John at six churches across the country. Nauset Baptist Church in Cape Cod, Massachusetts where their first daughter Jathniel was born in 1985. Westmount Park Church in Toronto Canada where Charissa was born in 1994. The Village Church in Western Springs Illinois where Amy completed her Bachelor's degree at Moody Bible College in 2005. Then to King Street Church, in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania where Amy taught preschool, using her wonderful teaching skills, and giving great attention and love to scores of children. In 2011 Amy welcomed her first of 3 grandchildren, her role as "Mimi" always brought her great joy. In 2013, they moved to Texas to serve Cypress Bible Church where Amy continued using her gifts to teach preschool. Finally, in 2022, they began ministry at The Worship Place in Sun City, Texas where Amy took up pickleball and ministered to many individuals to whom the Lord directed her.

Amy will be deeply missed, but her legacy of love and faithfulness lives on. Through prayer and quiet servitude, Amy ministered to thousands across many states and countries. She loved her family well and never missed an opportunity to point them to Jesus. One of the many Scriptures Amy memorized was Philippians 4:6-7 "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

Sometimes God is glorified when sick saints get well. But most often, God is glorified when sick saints die well. Amy gave an incredible example of dying well. She called her two-year battle with cancer "my journey with Jesus." That journey is complete as she now enjoys face to face what she long glimpsed as if reflected in a mirror (1 Cor. 13:12), her glorious God and blessed Savior.

In lieu of flowers, gifts can be made to the Building Fund of The Worship Place.