Bishop Martin Luther Johnson, Sr.
GENERAL BOARD CANDIDATE
Martin Luther Johnson was the first child born to Mr. Gabriel and Mrs. Aldora Johnson in Auburndale, Florida. Bishop Johnson dropped out of school in the 5th grade to take a job riding a bicycle delivering groceries for twelve hours per day at a rate of two dollars per day to take care of his ailing mother. Bishop Johnson did not return to school until he was married with seven children. As a child he was taught the principles of holiness and gave his life to the Lord and was filled with the Holy Ghost.
Bishop Johnson met the late Bishop A.M. and Mother Mamie Cohen who believed in education and pushed me to return to school. Bishop Johnson completed night school at George Washington Carver High School in in Delray Beach, Florida and immediately enrolled at Palm Beach Junior College and graduate with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business and Religion. At the behest and encouragement of the late Dr. Leonard L. Lovett he enrolled in the Interdenominational Theological Seminary and Chandler School of Theology at Emory and later in Georgia State University in the Doctor of Philosophy degree program in Educational Supervision and Leadership.
While on active-duty Bishop Johnson enrolled in New York University’s School of Education where in 1984 he completed to course work for the Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Philosophy and Religious Education. Bishop Johnson rose to the rank of Colonel before retiring in 1999.
Bishop Johnson has served in almost every level of the church from junior deacon, minister, elder to his current role as Jurisdictional Bishop of New Jersey First Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction. Most recently Bishop Johnson served as Chief Justice of the Judiciary Board for the Church of God in Christ.