Jesus
of the Apostolic Faith, Inc.
Bethesda Temple Church
of the Apostolic Faith, Inc.
Bethesda Temple Church
Jesus
Our Pastor
Bishop James A. Johnson
James Archie Johnson was born November 28, 1924, in Flint, Michigan. He was baptized in the name of Jesus and received the Holy Ghost on January 8, 1939, under the pastorate of the late Bishop Frank R. Bowdan at Bethlehem Temple Church in Flint. On November 8, 1947, James A. Johnson was united in holy matrimony to Josephine Bernice Solomon at the Greater Bethlehem Temple Church in Detroit, Michigan, by the late Bishop S. N. Hancock.
In May of 1950, Elder Johnson became pastor of Bethesda Temple Church, then located at 2406 Belle Glade Avenue. Under his leadership, God continued to bless the congregation, both numerically and spiritually, until it became necessary in 1959, to purchase a more spacious edifice at 1217 Union Boulevard, in 1964, an even larger edifice at 5574 Delmar Boulevard, and in 1985, at 5301 Bermuda Road (now 5401 Bishop J. A. Johnson Lane). In 1961, Elder Johnson was elevated to the office of executive secretary of the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World, Inc. He faithfully served in this capacity for seven years. In 1968, he was elevated to the bishopric and elected to the board of directors of the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World, Inc. In 1986, he was elected to serve as presiding bishop of the organization and served in this capacity for six years. In 1989, he became diocesan of the 12th Episcopal District.
In January of 1998, the Bethesda Temple Church family suffered a great loss when Sister Josephine B. Johnson was called home to be with the Lord.
In May of 2004, Bishop Johnson married Juana J. Cox. She frequently accompanies her husband to his ministerial engagements.
Bishop Johnson holds a Bachelor's Degree in Christian Education, a Master's Degree in Theology, and Doctorates in Divinity, Theology, Philosophy, and Christian Education. The International Apostolic College of Grace and Truth, Inc., conferred these degrees upon him Summa Cum Laude.
Full of zeal and always willing and ready to work for the Lord, Bishop Johnson has established a well-rounded ministry in St. Louis, Missouri. Under his ministry, the church has progressed and grown in size with well over 900 members. His ministry is characterized by excellence in preaching, teaching, consistency in leadership, courage in proclaiming the truth, the ability to encourage the fainthearted, and help the weak. His vision is one of power and motivation - both spiritually and naturally.
First Lady Juana J. Johnson
Sister Juana J. Johnson was born in Stuttgart, Germany, the 3rd of 4 children and only daughter of H.L. and Gloria Lewis. Her early childhood was greatly influenced by a God-fearing, praying grandmother who took her regularly to prayer meetings where testimonies, scripture readings, healing, and deliverance were a large part of the services. She learned to love the Lord as a child and attended church every Sunday despite the frequent relocating lifestyle of growing up in the military. Sister Johnson graduated from Normandy Senior High School in St. Louis County, Missouri, and attended St. Louis Municipal School of Nursing.
She married Tyrone Cox and is the mother of three children: Dameena, Jandi, and Kaelan (husband, Tyrone, deceased in 1995). She holds a Master's Degree in Gerontology and Administration from St. Louis University and was the director of nursing at St. Louis University Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri.
She received the gift of the Holy Ghost with evidence of speaking in tongues as an adult and was baptized in Jesus’ name at Lively Stone Church of God in St. Louis, Missouri. She began attending Bethesda Temple Church of the Apostolic Faith in 1986.
Sister Johnson is an active member of Bethesda Temple Church, serving the Lord in several capacities. She is the president of the Bethesda Temple Church Women’s Retreat. She serves as the assistant secretary of the Bethesda Temple Church Sisterhood Auxiliary, and is an advisor to the Fellowship Committee. In addition, Sister Johnson serves as chaplain and board member of the Bethesda Temple Bible Institute where she has taught Old Testament Survey and Bible Content Overview. Sister Johnson has an active prayer life, believing she has been called to intercessory.
Former First Lady Josephine B. Johnson
Sister Josephine Bernice Johnson leaves a rich legacy and many precious memories to those who knew her. She went home to Glory on January 3, 1998. She is gone, but never forgotten.
A weaver sits at a loom weaving single threads into fabric. The fabric is cut, altered, and customized into a garment. The garment is worn and radiates beauty to the beholder. The master weaver wove single threads into the fabric of Sister Josephine B. Johnson's life and at the tender age of seven, she put on the "garment of righteousness."
Josephine Bernice Solomon was born July 23, 1925, in Detroit, Michigan, to Mr. Abner and Mrs. Nellie Solomon. She was the youngest of seven children. Her first seven years of life were filled with pain because of a serious illness. Heeding the message to trust God for all things, she accepted Jesus as her personal Savior, and was baptized in His precious name. The mighty speech of God filled her with the Holy Ghost, wrought wonderful healing of her body, and etched in her spirit the commitment of a life of service to Jesus Christ, her Savior and her Deliverer. As a child, a teenager, and a young adult, Josephine's life was one of holiness.
The speech of God echoed in Josephine's life when she was united in holy matrimony to Bishop James Archie Johnson (then Evangelist James Archie Johnson) on November 8, 1947, in Detroit, Michigan. Together they dedicated themselves to the work of Christ. Josephine, who was eager to give wholehearted support to her husband, willingly accepted their moving to St. Louis, Missouri, where Evangelist Johnson was to pastor the Bethesda Temple Church. This meant leaving family members, many saints, and friends in Michigan.
God had in His perfect will yet another "family." Seven children were born to Elder and Mrs. Johnson in St. Louis. They are: Jacqueline Bernice Collier, Dr. Sharon Lenore, Suffragan Bishop Reuben Karl, Brenda Marie Woods, Carol Nellie (deceased), Laverne Charise Alford, and Donna Rose (deceased). From the seven children are seven grandchildren.
Bishop and Sister Johnson celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on November 8th, 1997, with approximately six hundred well wishers. Some of Sister Johnson's accomplishments are as follows:
- President of the Bethesda Temple Sisterhood Auxiliary.
- President of the Wednesday afternoon Prayer Band.
- Member of the board of directors of the Bethesda Temple Church
- Organized the Las Fidelas Matrons of Bethesda Temple Church, an auxiliary of young married women whose purpose was to assist Dr. Ellen Moore Hopkins and The Samuel Grimes Maternal Health & Educational Center in Kakata, Liberia. (This auxiliary supports the International Foreign Missions of the P.A.W., Inc).
- Assisted her husband in his position of general secretary (1961-1968).
- First lady of the Fourteenth Episcopal District of the P.A.W., Inc. (1968-1987).
- President of the NWDC Ministers' Wives Alliance.
- First lady of the Twelfth Episcopal District of the P.A.W., Inc. (1987-1998).
- Served as parliamentarian of the International Ministers' Wives Auxiliary.
- Served as program chairman of the International Missionary & Christian Women's Auxiliary.
- Served as second vice president of the International Missionary & Christian Women's Auxiliary (1983-1986).
- President of the International Missionary & Christian Women's Auxiliary (1986-1992).
- Served as a member of the International Ministers' Wives Auxiliary.
Sister Johnson's years of dedication and service in various capacities have yielded much fruit. She capably expressed her attitude concerning her commitment to Christ when she stated:
– "It is both thrilling and rewarding to feel that I have contributed in some small way to the many
accomplishments of my husband."
– "Witnessing the conversion of sinners to saints of God as a result of the gospel message is an exciting experience.
Furthermore, the opportunity to reach out and encouragingly touch the lives of others is very heartwarming."
– “It is gratifying to observe the progress made by those with whom I have worked and endeavored to train for
willing service in the house of the Lord.”
– “Much pleasure is derived for the involvement with wonderful women of God of the Pentecostal Assemblies of
the World who are committed to Kingdom-building and promoting the fellowship and spiritual growth in the
body of Christ.”
– “As a pastor’s wife, mother, missionary, sister, and friend, it is my desire to radiate the light of love and faith to
those with whom I come in contact.”
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