Pentecostal Assemblies of the World- Bishop James A. Johnson, 1943, HS yrbk

Description: Bishop James A. Johnson Pentecostal Assemblies Of The World Obituary online article Bishop James A. Johnson of Bethesda Temple passes at 90 “We had Bishop for 65 good years – and we’ve had the best of Bishop Johnson,” said Deacon Malcolm Townsend, chairman of the deacon board and business administrator for Bethesda Temple Church of the Apostolic Faith. Two weeks after he was celebrated for 65 years of leadership as senior pastor of Bethesda Temple, Bishop James A. Johnson, former presiding bishop of the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World, Inc., passed away last Thursday, May 21. He was 90 years old. Bishop Johnson is survived by his wife, Juana Johnson, and his seven children. “He truly walked what he taught,” said Deacon Craig Kelly. “For him, there was no wavering from the word of God. He taught us the word of God and followed it to the letter in all truth and faith.” His most beloved scripture could be quoted from memory by all those who reflected upon his life. “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good,” Micah 6:8 reads. “And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” Those were the words he lived by, and died hoping to instill in others. “He taught me the importance of preaching the gospel,” said Elder Julian Johnson (no relation), associate pastor of Bethesda Temple. “Bishop had a saying, ‘If you don’t get the cross of Jesus right, then you won’t get anything else right.’” On May 9, 1950, Bishop Johnson left his home of Flint, Michigan to assume the position of senior pastor of Bethesda Temple Church of the Apostolic Faith, Inc. It was a position he would hold for the rest of his life. “He took his calling sincerely,” said Dorretta Stephens, Bishop Johnson’s corporate secretary for the past 16 years. “He realized it and he made sure that he fulfilled his calling. They used to sing that song ‘I’ll fight ‘til I die,’ and that’s what he believed.” Over the course of his tenure as senior pastor, the church outgrew three sanctuaries. In 1985, it built its current edifice on a street that would eventually be named in Bishop Johnson’s honor. Under his leadership, the church expanded to nearly 1,000 members and now ranks among the most influential ministries in the region. In 1961, Johnson was named to the office of Executive Secretary of the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World, Inc. – a position he held for seven years. In 1968, he was elevated to the bishopric and elected to the Board of Directors of the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World, Inc. In 1986, he was elected to serve as presiding bishop of the organization and served in this capacity for six years. In 1989, he became diocesan of the 12th Episcopal District. At the luncheon celebrating his 65th pastoral anniversary at Renaissance Grand Hotel on May 9, his flock expressed gratitude, which he returned. “I’m almost speechless, and you want me to give a speech,” Bishop Johnson said. “One of the main things I will say is, ‘Thank you.’ I’m thankful to God and to the membership of this church and the years of support that the church has given me in leading them.” “He gave his life to Bethesda Temple – he was all in,” Townsend said. “He wanted the best for his church and his church was paramount in his life. Of course he loved his family and he loved his wife, but he loved his church and he wanted the best for his saints.” “He really cared about the people of God – people who were in need, people who needed his counseling,” Kelly said. “Bishop would counsel people who weren’t even a part of the church. He would offer nuggets from the word of God to anyone who would listen and was open to receive them.” “I think what would make Bishop Johnson really happy,” Townsend said, “is if he saw us all in heaven.” Associated terms/ file under Apostolic Oneness, Oneness Apostolic, Jesus Only, Jesus Name, Oneness Pentecostal, Assemblies of God, Azusa Street, United Pentecostal Church, Pentecostal Assemblies of the World, ALJC, Oneness of God, Assemblies of the Lord Jesus Christ, Worldwide Pentecostal Fellowship, Apostolic Pentecostals, Oneness Pentecostalism, Baptism in Jesus Name, Jesus Name Baptism, Holy Ghost Fire, Trinity, Trinitarianism, Pentecostal Holiness, Holy Ghost Baptism, Speaking in Tongues, Glossalalia, Revival, Pentecostalism, Holy Spirit, Holy Ghost, Word Aflame Press, Pentecostal Publishing House, Anointed, Jesus Christ, G.T Haywood, Andrew Urshan, Nathaniel Urshan, Frank Ewart, David K. Bernard, T.F Tenney, Mangun, William Chalfant, Nona Freeman, James O. Russell, James Tyson, S.C. McClain, C. B. Dudley, Mary H. Wallace, Fred & Vera Kinzie, Benjamin Urshan, Georgia Smelser, Fred Foster, Arthur & Charles Clanton

Price: 50 USD

Location: Riverview, Florida

End Time: 2024-12-06T16:19:28.000Z

Shipping Cost: 6 USD