[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 74 (Friday, June 7, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E992-E993]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 A TRIBUTE TO PASTOR ED JOHNSON OF FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF ROSEMOUNT, 
  MINNESOTA, FOR 35 YEARS OF INSPIRING MINISTRY AND DEDICATED SERVICE

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JIM RAMSTAD

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, June 6, 2002

  Mr. RAMSTAD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Pastor Ed 
Johnson, Senior Pastor of First Baptist Church of Rosemount, Minnesota, 
who will soon become Pastor Emeritus.
  Pastor Ed and his loving wife, Ellie, have been doing the Lord's work 
in our state and nation for 35 years and have truly made a difference 
in the lives of thousands of people.
  Pastor Ed has been a special friend and spiritual mentor since the 
day we first met in the spring of 1990--over 12 years ago. From my 
first major vote on ``Operation Desert Storm'' to coping with my 
mother's Alzheimer's disease, Pastor Ed has been there for my family 
and me. His wise counsel, friendship, support and prayers are deeply 
appreciated.
  Mr. Speaker, many of our colleagues remember Pastor Ed Johnson from 
his service as Guest Chaplain for the House of Representatives several 
years ago, when he made a lasting impression on all of us.
  That's Pastor Ed--always serving the Lord in a loving, kind and 
gentle way. Whether he's motivating young missionaries on the mission 
field, encouraging young preachers, supporting Sunday school teachers 
and bus drivers, counseling families, teaching new members and students 
or reaching out to the community to build a growing flock for his 
remarkable church, Pastor Ed has been there for all of us the past 35 
years.
  Pastor Ed has been repeatedly recognized by local, state and national 
religious organizations for the phenomenal growth of his church and his 
many other accomplishments. It's easy to understand his success once 
you meet him.
  Pastor Ed Johnson's First Baptist Church has been successful because 
of its family-oriented approach centered firmly on the Bible. No one 
escapes the reach of Pastor Ed's inspiring motivational tools: a warm 
heart, an unyielding resolve and an eloquent speaking style.
  Pastor Ed's dynamic approach to building faith is based on what he 
learned at Tennessee Temple University and Temple Baptist

[[Page E993]]

Theological Seminary in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
  Mr. Speaker, Pastor Ed doesn't just encourage people to come to 
church, he goes out and gets them! He has assembled an armada of buses 
to go out into a 15-mile radius from Rosemount and bring people to his 
church and Sunday school. Then he sends the members of his congregation 
out into the world to spread the gospel and do good works to help 
people in need.
  Under Pastor Ed's visionary leadership, First Baptist Church of 
Rosemount has developed a missionary program that oversees 46 
missionaries in countries throughout the world, 7 Christian schools and 
colleges and numerous full-time Christian ministries right here in the 
U.S.
  Also, Pastor Ed founded the First Baptist Church Christian School in 
1971. Today, that school has produced 400 graduates, many of whom have 
entered the ministry full time throughout the world, as well as many 
other callings.
  Pastor Ed has been recognized for his accomplishments time and again, 
and he has been honored with Doctor of Divinity Degrees from Hyles-
Anderson College and Baptist Christian University.
  A past President of the Minnesota Association of Christian Schools, 
Pastor Ed is now that group's Executive Director. He also serves as a 
member of the Board of Directors of both the American Association of 
Christian Schools and the General Council of Baptist Mid-Missions.
  In these positions, he has traveled throughout the nation in recent 
years, spreading faith with an evangelistic and Biblical conference 
ministry.
  Finally, Mr. Speaker, Pastor Ed Johnson has made a difference in 
politics and government both in Minnesota and our nation. From our work 
together in the Minnesota Legislature to save the option of home-
schooling for Minnesota families to my very first and most challenging 
endorsing convention for Congress, Pastor Ed has been a key ally and 
loyal friend. I treasure his wise counsel and consider his friendship a 
true blessing.
  Mr. Speaker, as Pastor Ed Johnson retires from his active ministry, 
we wish him and his wonderful wife, Ellie, all of God's blessings and 
thank him for the great impact his ministry has had on countless people 
in Minnesota and around the world.
  May God bless you, Pastor Ed and Ellie, and may God bless America!

                          ____________________