A Journey of Service: Pastor George Johnson Enters Retirement

A Lifetime of Activation

Pastor George Johnson speaks with the warmth and ease of someone who has spent a lifetime inviting people into God’s story. Known for making friends with everyone he meets, mentoring countless individuals, and fostering discipleship among church members, Johnson reflects on nearly three decades of dedicated service with the Central California Conference (CCC).

Answering God's Call in 1997

Johnson and his wife, Mernie, arrived in California’s Central Valley in early 1997 after serving overseas for 30 years, first in Pakistan and then in the Far Eastern Division based in Singapore. Their two older children had already returned to the US for college, and their younger daughter completed eighth grade at Fresno Adventist Academy while Johnson pursued graduate studies at Fuller Theological Seminary, specializing in intercultural evangelism and ministry among Muslims.

"Those studies reshaped how I understood the gospel moving across cultures," Johnson recalls. "I wanted to test these insights practically."

God's calling for Central California Conference soon became clear. In November 1997, CCC President Jerry Page invited Johnson to pastor the Hanford district, beginning a ministry that would span three congregations, multiple ethnic communities, and a relentless commitment to local mission.

Planting House of Hope in Hanford

Johnson initially served the Hanford English congregation along with a bilingual church nearby. However, his most significant project began when Hanford's original SDA church, built by Adventist farmers in 1900, went up for sale. When the English congregation outgrew the church building, the Spanish church had purchased it. By the late 1990s, the Spanish congregation had also grown sufficiently that they need to sell and buy something larger.

"I couldn’t bear to see an Adventist church sold," Johnson explained. Providentially, buying and almost immediately reselling an older house in Hanford had yielded the Johnsons a $20,000 miracle. Recognizing God’s hand in this, Johnson committed half the amount toward purchasing the church to serve the African American community.

Within a week, friends matched his donation, raising $80,000. With additional support from CCC, the church reopened as the House of Hope, a vibrant, multiracial worship center, later highlighted by the Adventist Review.

Leading Special Projects from the Conference Headquarters

In 2003, President Page asked Johnson to address the declining attendance in Valley churches due to demographic shifts. Johnson’s solution was straightforward: plant Spanish-speaking congregations in these underutilized buildings.

Alongside real estate broker and fellow church member Larry Martella, Johnson revitalized churches, beginning with Caruthers and Corcoran. Under Johnson’s guidance, small groups grew into thriving congregations. Eventually, this initiative became the formal Special Projects Department, prompting Johnson to relocate to the conference headquarters, where he served as director until 2009.

Mobilizing the Next Generation

Believing deeply in personal discipleship, Johnson launched an extensive Bible-worker program, recruiting graduates from Adventist colleges in the Philippines and other regions. At its peak, more than 60 Bible workers were active across Central California, many of whom later became CCC pastors.

"Seeing these young leaders now serving congregations from San Francisco to Bakersfield is incredibly rewarding," Johnson said. 

The financial crisis of 2009 threatened this initiative, prompting Johnson to retire early from the conference payroll, enabling funds to support the Bible workers. Immediately afterward, he returned as a volunteer, receiving only a small stipend. He later served as assistant to the conference president in this voluntary role for another 12 years, officially ending even his volunteer work in February 2025.

Finding Joy in Member Activation

For Johnson, the greatest joy of ministry has always been seeing church members transition from observers to active participants in mission.

He recalls the early support from members in Hanford, a Bible study group formed in a McDonald’s booth, and the creation of the "What’s Next?" tract—a concise, practical resource encouraging members to share their faith easily. This simple idea evolved into the popular GLOW tract ministry, now distributing millions of copies worldwide..

Continuing Ministry in Retirement

Officially retired but continually active, Johnson and his wife remain engaged in mentoring pastors, creating evangelistic resources, and supporting global literature ministries. Johnson’s current passion involves encouraging prayer movements aimed at igniting a contemporary Pentecost.

"The Holy Spirit is ready," Johnson affirms. "He's just waiting for us to roll up our sleeves."

A Call to Action

As the Central California Conference honors Pastor George Johnson’s nearly three decades of service in CCC, his call to the church remains clear:

"Don’t just watch the church—be the church."

For Johnson, embracing this principle can transform a congregation and redefine retirement into an ongoing journey of faith and service.

Please keep Pastor Johnson and his wife, Mernie, in your prayers as they seek God’s guidance for their next move in ministry.

Written by Justin Kim