New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary family gathered for a chapel service March 6 honoring and celebrating faculty member Mark Johnson for his appointment as the 10th president of Louisiana Christian University.
Johnson, assistant professor of evangelism and pastoral ministry and director of the seminary’s Doctor of Ministry program, was announced as LCU’s new president on Tuesday, Feb. 25. He will begin his presidential duties June 1.
Jamie Dew, president of NOBTS and Leavell College, opened the service by acknowledging the importance of the moment and urged the NOBTS family to pray for the Johnson family.
"Our primary focus when we come together for these chapel moments is just to worship together and take a moment to hear from the Word,” Dew said. “But at the same time, there are just certain things that happen in the life and rhythm of our institution that are worth pausing from what we would normally do to just celebrate.”
“I want to charge you to commit to being their support right now. It’s a fun time and it’s an amazing time, but it is intense."
Dew praised Johnson for his character throughout the entire process of accepting this leadership position.
“I watched this whole process unfold over the last few months and this was not a brother or a family that has spent the last 5 to 10 years in back rooms climbing ladders,” he said.
“That’s not how this happened. This happened by the Lord’s hand. That is exactly how it’s supposed to happen. Most of what we do is unseen and unappreciated and we sometimes can feel like ‘I’m not going anywhere. I need to take control by jockeying for position.’
“From the moment I got here, you’ve been a part of our family and our culture and you have never done this one time. I appreciate that. I think the Lord has honored you and your family in this process.”
Johnson sat down with Dew for a conversation about his personal testimony, his ministry journey, his move to NOBTS and his transition to LCU President.
He shared his testimony of being saved as a young child and being called to preach while in college.
Johnson remembers an instance of looking into a mirror and crying out to God.
“The Lord said three things I’ll never forget: I want you to preach my Word, do not be afraid of their faces and I’ll be with you,” Johnson said. “Peace came over my heart in that moment.”
Johnson then spoke about his time serving in ministry in Cleveland, Ohio.
He led his church through a journey of healing, and they eventually joined the Southern Baptist Convention.
Johnson credited the influence of his education at NOBTS and the mentorship of Fred Luter, senior pastor of Franklin Avenue Baptist Church, for his ability to navigate this time of ministry.
“Sometimes God may place you in some difficult places in order for you to be the change agent for that place,” he said.
“During my time in school at NOBTS I began to see that while there were some challenges, there were also some great things happening (in the SBC).”
Johnson then described his journey of moving to NOBTS and eventual call to lead LCU. He told the audience to trust God because you never know how He may be working.
“When the Lord calls, you’ve got to go,” Johnson said. “You can’t be afraid. You have got to be courageous enough to take that step.”
“To all of you who are doing things that you might not like doing, trust God in the process because He may be setting you up for something else down the line.”
After the service, NOBTS family gathered around Johnson and his family to pray for their season of transition. Prayer was led by Jamie and Tara Dew, along with pastor Luter.
Concerning his new presidency at LCU, Johnson emphasized continuing to rely on God.
“I want to turn LCU’s head back to the cross, and then let God show us where He wants us to be," he said. "When we get out of the way and let God lead, we’ll have great success.”
