The life of Pastor James W. Johnson, Sr. is vibrantly expressed by the impact he made in the lives of everyone who knew him. His warm personality and charismatic conversation were divine gifts that he used to win souls for the Kingdom.

James Willis Johnson was born on January 2,1960 to the late Superintendent Thomas David Johnson, Sr., and the late Missionary Dorothy Mae Johnson in Bakersfield, California. Although his birth name was James, he was known by many as Jim and affectionately called "Jimmy" by his family. Jim's educational journey unfolded through the local school system where he attended Besse Owens Elementary, Compton Junior High, and graduated from East Bakersfield High School in 1978. During his school years, Jim was very athletic and quick on his feet. He became a track star by mastering the hurdles and the high jump.  In addition, he played the position of wide receiver on the high school football team. Upon graduation, his post high school education continued at Bakersfield College and later in life, Sienna Heights University.

During his formative years, Jim was very active in ministry at the Seventh Glorious Church of God in Christ, where his father, the late  superintendent Thomas David Johnson, Sr. was the pastor. He began playing the piano at the age of five. He was very instrumental in playing for the annual outdoor revival, a community event that brought many souls to Christ. In addition, Jim was mentored by his older brother, the late Pastor Ted Johnson. Upon the passing of Pastor Ted, Jim was promoted to the leader of the Johnson Singers, a group that was requested to sing at churches throughout the San Joaquin Valley.

On April 11, 1979, Jim married Anita Norwood. To this union were born five beautiful sons. Jim and Anita were active in church while raising their young family and made it a priority to bring balance to their church life by promoting academic excellence and supporting extra-curricular achievements. Jim's sons were his world and he loved them unconditionally.

In 1979, Minister James Johnson was ordained an elder by the late Bishop Milton Mathis, Jurisdictional Prelate of the California Northwest Jurisdiction. Upon ordination, Elder Johnson began serving as the assistant pastor of the Seventh Glorious Church. During his tenure as assistant pastor, Elder Johnson served as the YPWW president; he coordinated the efforts for the pastor's anniversary services, and he
sponsored a building fund rally that generated funds to purchase new pews for the sanctuary.

Elder Johnson's dedication to the work of the ministry did not come without challenges, but his commitment to God caused him to move forward in the most difficult of times. In 1991, prior to attending the Holy Convocation in Memphis Tennessee, Elder Johnson received instruction from the Lord that he would find his wife in the house of the Lord. Elder Johnson then journeyed to Memphis, Tennessee with his close friend Elder Terry Matthews. He had determined to be disciplined and adhere to the voice of the Lord. On Sunday night, of the Holy Convocation, Elder Johnson found the love of his life, Sherri LaDawn, sitting in the service at Cook Convention Center, just as the Lord had spoken. Elder Johnson made his way to occupy one of the open seats where Sherri was seated. During the service, their oldest daughter, Cherelle, who was two years old at that time, began playing with Elder Johnson's hat and keys that were placed on the seat between them. Cherelle presented the opportunity for Elder Johnson to have a conversation with Sherri LaDawn. It was clear to Elder Johnson that Sherri was "the one." There was also a confirmation in the inspirational message that night that radiated: "Pick up your baskets and gather the fragments of your broken life that nothing be lost." It was this confirmation that prompted Elder Johnson to later ask for Sherri LaDawn's hand in marriage. On March 14, 1992, Sherri's father, the late Superintendent Willie V. Swift, Jr. joined the two in holy matrimony. With this union, God divinely brought together seven children: James Johnson Jr., Brian Jamar Johnson, Ivan Shamir Johnson, Jeremy Brandon Johnson, Myron Caleb Johnson, Anthony Duane Taylor, Jr., Cherelle LaDawn Taylor, and Jhari` Charmagne Johnson.

Jim was a plumbing contractor and worked for many years with his father, the owner of Johnson Plumbing Company. In 1999, Jim accepted a position with Dryer's Grand Ice Cream and moved to Union City, California. While in the Bay Area, he and the family joined the Refreshing Fountain Church of God in Christ under the leadership of Superintendent Robert Lyons. It was during this time that God revealed to Elder Johnson the name "Epiphany Ministries." In 2001, while waiting on direction from the Lord, Elder Johnson accepted an assignment to be the associate pastor of Send the Light Ministries in Bakersfield California. As associate pastor, he taught Bible Study, coordinated men's ministry, and established a community feeding program that provided hot meals for all who were in need.

In 2002, Elder Johnson began "The Epiphany Hour" a radio broadcast that he used to empower believers with divine revelation. Moved by faith, Elder Johnson along with his wife and seven children established Epiphany Ministries Church of God in Christ on Third Street in Bakersfield, California. On October 6th when the doors of the church opened, many souls came and joined the ministry. Elder Johnson began laying out the vision of the ministry. He emphasized the great commission that Jesus gave was to "go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature." He established that the ministry would be a circuit with the mission of going "on location" as directed by God. Subsequent to the opening of the ministry, in May of 2003, Elder Johnson was installed pastor of Epiphany Ministries Church of God in Christ by the late Bishop W. W. Hamilton, Prelate of the California Northwest Jurisdiction.

In 2019, Pastor Johnson opened the next phase of the circuit in Lansing, Michigan. The church was established under leadership of Bishop Samuel Duncan, Jr., Prelate of the Michigan Southwest Third Jurisdiction. In 2020, faced with the pandemic, the ministry went virtual. The virtual platform extended the reach of the ministry to countless souls all over the country. It was during this time that Pastor Johnson realized the potential of the circuit. He was driven to minister the Word as never before. As the virtual audience grew, a viewer, by the name of Kelly Cox, reached out for individual counsel. Although in Kansas City for employment with Adient, Pastor Johnson began to minister to Kelly Cox through weekly conversations. This was the confirmation that Pastor Johnson needed to keep the virtual platform going. It was not known at that time, but God had placed Brother Cox in Pastor Johnson's life to show him the endless possibilities of the circuit. Kelly Cox gave a clarion call for the ministry to come to Nebraska. Pastor Johnson embraced that call to be the next phase of the circuit. He was planning to go to Nebraska in the month of May, to set foot in the church building that our Brother Kelly Cox had in place for the ministry. He told Brother Cox that as soon as he was strengthened, he was coming to Nebraska, but as God would have it, on May 20, 2024, Pastor Johnson completed his earthly assignment. After talking with his God, and receiving confirmation that his work was done, Pastor James W. Johnson took his rest in the arms of Jesus, leaving behind a legacy of love, commitment, and faith.

Preceding him in death, were: his mother, Missionary Dorothy Mae Johnson; brothers, Tommy Johnson, Pastor Ted Johnson, Don L. Johnson; brother-n-law, Minister J. W. Nichols; sisters, Ruby Sanders, LaVerne Johnson, and Mae Zola "Mickey" Johnson.

Pastor Johnson leaves to cherish his memory: his loving and caring wife, Lady Sherri LaDawn Johnson; seven sons, James Johnson, Jr., Brian Jamar Johnson, Jeremy Brandon (Angie) Johnson, Myron Caleb (Nancy) Johnson, and Terrance Johnson all of Bakersfield California, Ivan Shamir Johnson, Philadelphia Pennsylvania, and Pastor Anthony (Lady Bianca) Taylor, Lansing Michigan; two daughters, Cherelle LaDawn Taylor, Overland Park Kansas and Jhari Charmagne (Minister Zavier) Brooks, Lee's Summit Missouri; two brothers, Pastor David Johnson and Marvin Johnson, both of Bakersfield California; brother-in laws, Daryl Hill, Lester Linear, Royce Robinson all of Bakersfield California, Michael Swift, Escondido California; four sisters, Evonne Nichols, Maethan Johnson, Murna Johnson, and Ronetta Johnson, all of Bakersfield California; one sister-n-law, Lady Gina (Pastor Perry) Bell; 34 grandchildren; a host of nieces, nephews, friends; a special aunt, Ms. Alma Jean Bollman; childhood friends, Terry Robinson, Wesly Brown; and his loving church family, EMCC.

Thank you, Pastor Johnson, for your systematic teaching of the Word. You have empowered us to
continue your legacy! Grace, Grace to a life well lived!

Arrangements for Pastor Johnson are as follows: