Bill Johnson (pastor)

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Bill Johnson

Occupation Theologian, Author, Minister
Nationality USA
Subjects Theology, Revival, Healing
Official website

Bill Johnson (born 1951[1]) and his wife Brenda (Beni) Johnson are the Senior Pastors of Bethel Church in Redding, California. Johnson is a fifth generation pastor[2].

Contents

[edit] Biography

Johnson was born in Minnesota in 1951 and became a Christian in 1973 at the age of 22. Soon after, Johnson read seven books on prayer, which significantly affected his perspective and subsequent ministry.[3]

Johnson's father, Melvin Earl Johnson (1929-2004[4]) was the senior pastor at Bethel Church in Redding from 1968-1982[1] and subsequently became Executive Officer of the Northern California/Nevada District Council of the Assemblies of God[5]. Earl Johnson had four children, all of whom are in full-time ministry, including his eldest son, Bill.[6].

Bill Johnson and his wife began as singles pastors under his father at Bethel. In 1979, they became senior pastors of Mountain Chapel in Weaverville, California[7]. After 17 years, they returned to Bethel Church as senior pastors in February 1996.[8]

Johnson and his wife have three children, Brian[9], Eric[10] and Leah (married to Gabe Valenzuela).[3] They have six grandchildren.[11][12]

[edit] Ministry

According to a recent book authored by Johnson, "Face to Face with God", Bethel is "a church where supernatural encounters with God happen regularly, miracles are common, and the congregation has an infectious passion for spiritual growth." The church has approximately 1,500 members.[8]

In 1999, Johnson reported that he had observed hundreds of miracles that year, including cancer, paralysis and broken bones[13].

Bethel Church and Johnson have been featured in video segments by the Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN)[14][15] and Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN) concerning the Church's unique, spontaneous approach to outreach.

One CBN segment featured a reportedly verified spontaneous healing of a newborn's heart defect while a physician was monitoring.

Their popular 'Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry' has 450 students enrolled from ages 15 to 85.[8]

Johnson leads a network of churches dedicated to global, multi-generational revival, Global Legacy.[16][17]

Johnson has authored several Christian books and travels extensively as a featured revival conference speaker.

Johnson is also involved with the Northern California Revival Fellowship, a group of north Californian pastors committed to revival[7].

[edit] Bibliography

  • Face to Face with God (Charisma House, 2007) ISBN 9781599790701
  • Strengthen Yourself in The Lord (Destiny Image Publishers, 2007) ISBN 0768424275
  • Strengthen Yourself in the Lord (Audio Book)
  • The Supernatural Ways of Royalty (co-author) (Destiny Image Publishers, 2006) ISBN 0768423236
  • The Supernatural Power of a Transformed Mind (Destiny Image Publishers, 2005) ISBN 0768422523
  • The Supernatural Power of a Transformed Mind 40-Day Devotional and Personal Journal
  • When Heaven Invades Earth (Destiny Image Publishers, 2003) ISBN 0768429528
  • When Heaven Invades Earth Devotional & Journal
  • Shifting Shadow of Supernatural Power: A Prophetic Manual for Those Wanting to Move in God's Supernatural Power (co-author)
  • Dreaming With God
  • Here Comes Heaven!: A Kid's Guide to God's Supernatural Power (co-author)

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b Crowe, John (1999-03-07). "A family calling" (HTML). Redding Record Searchlight. Redding, California: Record Searchlight. 
  2. ^ Bethel Church in Redding, CA | Home
  3. ^ a b Why Pray; Recorded Monday February 11,2008 in the 10:45 AM Service. Why Pray; retrieved March 27, 2008
  4. ^ Schultz, Jim (2004-01-23). "Pastor was endearing to those he touched" (HTML). Redding Record Searchlight. Redding, California: Record Searchlight. 
  5. ^ http://www.ibethel.org/bethelLife/staff/staff_earl_johnson.html
  6. ^ Johnson, Earl (2000-09-01). "A Godly heritage: The family of Earl and Darliene Johnson" (PDF). Assemblies of God Heritage. Springfield, Missouri: Flower Pentecostal Heritage Center. ISSN 0896-4395. 
  7. ^ a b Johnson, Bill (1998-12-19). "Jesus only needs our open hearts" (HTML). Redding Record Searchlight. Redding, California: Record Searchlight. 
  8. ^ a b c Flinchbaugh, C. Hope (2007-03-01). "Ignite the Fire" (HTML). Charisma. Lake Mary, Florida: Strang Communications. ISSN 0279-0424. 
  9. ^ Brian Johnson, Worship Pastor
  10. ^ Eric Johnson, Missions Pastor
  11. ^ Jenn Johnson's MySpace page
  12. ^ Lean Valenzuela's MySpace page
  13. ^ Johnson, Bill (1999-02-27). "Healing is example of God's love" (HTML). Redding Record Searchlight. Redding, California: Record Searchlight. 
  14. ^ CBN Video: Living a Life of Miracles
  15. ^ CBN Video: Miracles Outside the Church Walls
  16. ^ Global Legacy
  17. ^ Loren, Julia (2005-03-01). "California Fire" (HTML). Charisma. Lake Mary, Florida: Strang Communications. ISSN 0279-0424. 

[edit] See also

[edit] External Links