[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 30 (Monday, February 25, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E224]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     HONORING REVEREND G.L. JOHNSON

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. GEORGE RADANOVICH

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, February 25, 2008

  Mr. RADANOVICH. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Rev. G.L. 
Johnson upon his 80th birthday and his 45th anniversary with Peoples 
Church, as well as his retirement from the church. Reverend Johnson 
will be honored on Sunday, February 24, at Peoples Church in Fresno, 
California.
  Reverend Johnson was born in 1928 in Houston, Texas. He attended 
Navarro Junior College in Corsicana, Texas and Southwestern Assembly of 
God College in Waxahachie, Texas. He has ministered in many different 
capacities since 1946, moving from Texas to various cities around the 
United States.
  His ministry began in 1946 when he served as a youth speaker, 
traveling around the United States speaking at various functions and 
prayer services. Shortly after marrying Jacqueline Cockerell in 1950, 
he settled in Corsicana and took a position as a full-time Pastor. In 
1951, Reverend Johnson became ordained. His ministries took him back on 
the road in 1953, as he traveled throughout Texas as an evangelist. In 
1957, Reverend Johnson moved his family to Kentucky for a year and then 
to Florida to serve as a Pastor. In 1961 Reverend Johnson took on a 
different role. He became the associate director of the Latin American 
Orphanage. In 1963, he joined People's Church as the senior pastor and 
has been there ever since.
  In Reverend Johnson's time with Peoples Church, he has seen the 
church build a new facility and has seen different staff members come 
and go. More importantly, he has seen the rise of the church's 
attendance and influence. Today the Sunday morning services' attendance 
averages 4,000 worshipers. This service is also broadcast over the 
radio every Sunday morning. Along with his position with Peoples 
Church, he is also involved in a number of religious and civic boards 
and finds time to teach.
  Reverend Johnson has served as the chairman on many religious boards, 
including: Assemblies of God Theological Seminary Development 
Committee, Fresno Christian Schools, International Board of Asian 
Outreach based in Hong Kong, Asian Outreach USA, and Northern 
California National Association of Evangelicals. Various other board 
memberships include: Assemblies of God Theological Seminary board of 
directors; Vanguard University in Costa Mesa, California; Church Growth 
International in Seoul, Korea; Presbyterian International Missionary 
Advance in Seoul, Korea; Asian Center for Theological Studies; and 
more. Outside of the church, Reverend Johnson serves on the Board of 
Sequoia Council of the Boy Scouts of America, Fresno Leadership 
Foundation, Police Activities League, Clergy Advisory Council for 
Clovis Unified School District, North Fresno Rotary Club, and The 
International Fellowship of Christian Schools. He still finds the time 
to teach as an adjunct professor at California Theological Seminary and 
Institute for Clergy Enrichment.
  Reverend Johnson has given himself to the church and the community. 
He has been invited to attend and speak at conferences around the 
world. He has had numerous books and articles published and has 
received many professional honors and awards. Reverend Johnson has had 
a positive impact and success on the many projects he has been involved 
in.
  Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend and congratulate Rev. G.L. 
Johnson upon his 80th birthday, his 45th anniversary and his retirement 
from Peoples Church. I invite my colleagues to join me in wishing 
Reverend Johnson many years of continued success.

                          ____________________