Bill Johnson (pastor)

Infobox Writer
name = Bill Johnson


imagesize =
caption = Bill and Beni Johnson
pseudonym =
birth_date = birth date and age|1951|1|1
birth_place = Minnesota
death_date =
death_place =
occupation = Theologian, Author, Minister
nationality = USA
period =
subject = Theology, Revival, Healing
movement =
debut_works =
influences =
influenced =


website = http://bjm.org/
footnotes =

Bill Johnson (born 1951cite journal | last = Crowe | first = John | authorlink = John Crowe | title = A family calling | journal = Redding Record Searchlight | publisher = Record Searchlight | location = Redding, California | date = 1999-03-07 | url = http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?s_hidethis=no&p_product=RSLB&p_theme=rslb&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&s_dispstring=a%20family%20calling&p_field_advanced-0=&p_text_advanced-0=(%22a%20family%20calling%22)&xcal_numdocs=20&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&xcal_useweights=no | format = HTML | accessdate = 2008-06-01 ] ) and his wife Brenda (Beni) Johnson are the Senior Pastors of Bethel Church in Redding, California. Johnson is a fifth generation pastor [http://www.ibethel.org/churchlife/index.php?f=staff&id=6 Bethel Church in Redding, CA | Home] ] .

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."Why Pray"; Recorded Monday February 11,2008 in the 10:45 AM Service. [http://www.ibethelmedia3.org/sotw/files/Why_Pray__10_45_am_48kbps.mp3 Why Pray] ; retrieved March 27, 2008]

Johnson's father, Melvin Earl Johnson (1929-2004 [cite journal | last = Schultz | first = Jim | authorlink = Jim Schultz | title = Pastor was endearing to those he touched | journal = Redding Record Searchlight | publisher = Record Searchlight | location = Redding, California | date = 2004-01-23 | format = HTML | accessdate = 2008-06-01 ] ) was the senior pastor at Bethel Church in Redding from 1968-1982 and subsequently became Executive Officer of the Northern California/Nevada District Council of the Assemblies of Godhttp://www.ibethel.org/bethelLife/staff/staff_earl_johnson.html] . Earl Johnson had four children, all of whom are in full-time ministry, including his eldest son, Bill.cite journal | last = Johnson | first = Earl | authorlink = M. Earl Johnson | title = A Godly heritage: The family of Earl and Darliene Johnson | journal = Assemblies of God Heritage | publisher = Flower Pentecostal Heritage Center | location = Springfield, Missouri | date = 2000-09-01 | url = http://ifphc.org/pdf//Heritage/2000_03.pdf | format = PDF | issn = 0896-4395 | accessdate = 2008-06-01 ] .

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, Californiacite journal | last = Johnson | first = Bill | authorlink = Bill Johnson | title = Jesus only needs our open hearts | journal = Redding Record Searchlight | publisher = Record Searchlight | location = Redding, California | date = 1998-12-19 | format = HTML | accessdate = 2008-06-01 ] . After 17 years, they returned to Bethel Church as senior pastors in February 1996.cite journal | last = Flinchbaugh | first = C. Hope | authorlink = C. Hope Flinchbaugh | title = Ignite the Fire | journal = Charisma | publisher = Strang Communications | location = Lake Mary, Florida | date = 2007-03-01 | url = http://www.charismamag.com/display.php?id=14681 | format = HTML | issn = 0279-0424 | accessdate = 2008-04-05 ]

Johnson and his wife have three children, Brian [ [http://www.ibethel.org/churchlife/index.php?f=staff&id=12 Brian Johnson, Worship Pastor] ] , Eric [ [http://www.ibethel.org/churchlife/index.php?f=staff&id=13 Eric Johnson, Missions Pastor] ] and Leah (married to Gabe Valenzuela). They have eight grandchildren. [ [http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=26305781 Jenn Johnson's MySpace page] ] [ [http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=25972012 Lean Valenzuela's MySpace page] ]

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.

In 1999, Johnson reported that he had observed hundreds of miracles that year, including the healing of cancer, paralysis and broken bonescite journal | last = Johnson | first = Bill | authorlink = Bill Johnson | title = Healing is example of God's love | journal = Redding Record Searchlight | publisher = Record Searchlight | location = Redding, California | date = 1999-02-27 | format = HTML | accessdate = 2008-06-01 ] .

Bethel Church and Johnson have been featured in video segments by the Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN) [ [http://www.cbn.com/media/index.aspx?s=/vod/PST15 CBN Video: Living a Life of Miracles] ] [ [http://www.cbn.com/media/index.aspx?s=/vod/PST45 CBN Video: Miracles Outside the Church Walls] ] 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 1100 students enrolled from ages 15 to 85.

Johnson leads a network of churches dedicated to global, multi-generational revival, Global Legacy. [ [http://www.igloballegacy.org/ Global Legacy] ] cite journal | last = Loren | first = Julia | authorlink = Julia Loren | title = California Fire | journal = Charisma | publisher = Strang Communications | location = Lake Mary, Florida | date = 2005-03-01 | url = http://www.charismamag.com/display.php?id=10622 | format = HTML | issn = 0279-0424 | accessdate = 2008-04-06 ]

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.

Bibliography

* "A Life of Miracles: A 365 day guide to prayer and miracles" ISBN 9780768426120
* "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)

References

ee also

* Heidi Baker
* Todd Bentley

External links

* [http://www.ibethel.org/ Bethel Church (Redding, CA)]
* [http://www.billjohnsonministries.com Bill Johnson Ministries]
* [http://www.beenup2.com/users/brevived Johnson's blog, 'brevived']
* [http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=183558770 Johnson's MySpace profile, 'brevived']