Give the Book

The Johnny Project

"I could sense that Johnny was no ordinary man. He found a way to unlock hidden treasure, release latent talent, and water forgotten seeds of expectation… I was in awe of a man who would give a stranger a week of his time and a lifetime of wisdom… I thought philosophically for a moment. Don't we all need a Johnny in our lives? Where are all the Johnnies? " Golf's Sacred Journey, Chapter 8

Golf's Sacred Journey has spread across the country in a very unconventional manner. Individuals by the thousands have purchased this book off our web site in packs of 10 or more, passing them along in their sphere of influence. We are calling this movement The Johnny Project. We are on target for this book reaching at least 1 million people through this project! It started from day one as readers inspired by the powerful example of Johnny have used their influence to get this book in the hands of those who need encouragement. The stories from the Johnny Project have been amazing. While performances have been enhanced in business, life, and golf, the deeper impact of the book has been in the hearts of the readers. Doors that have been locked tight for years are being opened. Buried lies are being released. Thousands are embarking on a new and sacred journey of faith.

We invite you to join the Johnny Project through the use of your influence with your friends, family, co-workers, organization, golf outing, or in some other creative manner. Please click below for information regarding our discounted multipacks of the book.

The “Utopia 232” Mission

By introduction, my name is Woody Thames. It would be my choice to meet personally with each of you face to face to share this invitation. I know this form of an communciation is impersonal so lets just pray that the Lord will help us move past that limitation with this one.

Like you guys, I have read Golf’s Sacred Journey, and like you this book spoke deeply to me. And like you I have given many copies away and have witnessed this book reach men in profound ways.

For me this book has become a “seed” that I plant in unsuspecting hands as the Lord leads. The outcome has been deep conversations with these men about their faith journey, transformed hearts, and men who go out and do the same thing with the book spreading it throughout their sphere of influence.

David Cook recently shared three things with me that have become the genesis to this letter. First, he shared that about 100,000 books have been distributed to date from the ministry web site without the help of a publisher. He said that about 85% of those (85,000) were distributed by about 6,000 men who have purchased and distributed 10 or more books (“seeds”). This is definitely a Sprit led movement that has no precedence in the publishing industry.

Secondly, he shared that people bury their lies and accept Jesus on the web site each day after reading the book. In fact, 32 men went online this past month after reading the book, buried their lies and accepted Jesus as their Lord and Saviour. Not only is the seed being planted around the country, fruit is being produced in a very unconventional manner!

Third, he shared that Zondervan Publishing Company has recently teamed to get the book in the retail market while still allowing his ministry to continue to distribute the book in exactly the same manner as before. The interesting and disturbing thing is that Barnes and Nobles accepted the book, but the leader of their Sports division refused to allow the book in the sports section because he deemed it a “spiritual” book. Though he carries Zen Golf, Zen Putting, Golf in the Kingdom (all Spiritual books) and others, he seemed to have a bias against the Christian message of Golf’s Sacred Journey. So, in Barnes and Nobles it has been relegated to the “religion” section!

As I put those three things together it has become clear to me that this book is a creative and powerful “seed” given to us at a unique time in history. It is a “seed” that has proven to produce eternal fruit, especially in the corporate arena with the “kings and influencers” or our society. I have not witnessed a “seed” that is so powerful in getting the attention of this people group that is both successful, yet blind to their true calling. And, as demonstrated by Barnes and Nobles, it is a “seed” that the enemy opposes and therefore must break the bounds of traditional distribution and must be spread through a new model. This is a book that has and will continue to travel from man to man, one at a time, as the Holy Spirit leads this amazing sacred journey.

With David’s blessing I have asked to lead an organized mission of distributing at least 1 million of these “seeds” across the next two years. I understand that I cannot run out in front of Jesus on this mission, but that I walk next to Him as He leads us on this adventure. I would ask for your prayers. We all have a platform of influence that God has created across the years of our personal trek. For me, my platform comes from building a successful commercial real estate business in Dallas, playing golf at the highest level in the Amateur ranks, serving the USGA as an official, and playing out of Preston Trails, a prestigious club in Dallas. Let me be very clear, none of these things has any eternal value. But, I can see now how each of these was given to me as preparation for this project for the Kingdom.

Let me also be clear about this invitation. I am not attempting to coerce or motivate any man into joining me. I have been called by God only to identify the men that He has already called out and anointed for His good purpose.

So, here is the plan. It is based on a passage out of 1Kings 20: 13 - 21. Thirty two kings had gathered together to take out Israel... wipe them off the face of the earth once and for all. Ahab was the king of Israel, not a good one. But God spoke through a prophet and told him how to fight the battle... how to win against such a daunting opponent.

God breaks tradition and calls them to do something extraordinary and dangerous. He tells them to take the 232 young leaders of Israel (their brightest and best men) and put them out in front of the army, instead of behind where they are protected, to lead out this offensive (not defensive) assault. When they marched out over the hill in obedience, the Bible says that each of the 232 struck down his opponent and God brought about a great and mighty victory.

I believe that God is calling out 232 men, leaders in their sphere of influence, standing firm on the front lines in this assault upon our nation and faith from so many opponents. I believe He is calling us out as a unit providing us with a very specific, unsuspecting “seed” that will be used to penetrate the enemy’s camp in a stealth manner.

Here is the calling. It is my prayer that you don’t see this as a common day business plan, but as a plan that has been prayed over and built around the model Jesus used with his twelve disciples. I am looking for the 232 men that God (not me) has asked to step forward and join me by committing to use their influence, passion, and resources in the following manner:

1. Invest in this project by purchasing 100 books up front before to have on hand and to distribute across a 12 month period as the Spirit leads (average about 2 per week).
2. Put your name and number on the last page of each book you distribute with a note asking them to contact you once they have read the book.
3. When they call, talk with them about what the book meant to them. Share with them your experience as well.
4. During that phone call invite those that had a transforming experience to join the “Utopia 232” mission with the goal of having at least 12 out of the 100 join the team (the number Jesus chose) with those 12 following these same 5 steps (lead them to this sign up page).
5. Invite those that cannot join the “Utopia 232” team to become a Johnny by handing 10 books to their sphere of influence with the goal of having 50 out of the 100 using their influence in this manner.

My other long term goal with this mission is to gather and coordinate the “Utopia 232” team once a year at a resort and have a grand celebration including golf and the powerful personal testimonies and stories of men who have engaged in this project as well as Dr. Cook and other speakers. For those interested I will also help the “Utopia 232” team members coordinate weekly gatherings at country clubs throughout the nation using Golf’s Sacred Journey Guidebook as the resource for these 12 week adventures.

Would you please pray and really seek the Lord about being on this “Utopia 232” team? I look forward with great anticipation to marching over the hill like the 232 did in 1 Kings with those the Lord has identified for this battle. It will be a great honor to go into battle with each of you. There is no pressure in this challenge because God has gone before us and has already identified those in our sphere of influence who will also heed the call because of the influence God gave us for this moment in the history of the world.

I look forward to having you on the team once the Spirit has placed the call in your heart. This is His deal. When he does please click below to order your 100 copies and email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it letting her know that you have been called out to be a part of this mission. Once you do this, we will have you in our data base and you will begin to receive a correspondence updating you with stories along the journey and dates of our national meeting. Please call at 210-867-8224 or email tracy at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it if you have further questions.

In the meantime, may God richly bless you as you seek Him on this Sacred Journey,

Woody Thames