For over 40 years, the Rev. William “Bill” Johnson has been leading churches and serving the communities in which he’s lived. With the beginning of the new year, Johnson will retire from his position as the senior pastor of the First Christian Church in Great Bend.
Following his graduation from Poplar Bluff (Mo.) High School, Johnson attended college for one year, then spent four years serving his country in the U.S. Navy. Following his military service he attended St. Louis Christian College and Lincoln Christian Seminary before completing his Master of Divinity degree in 1983 at Phillips University in Enid, Okla. Prior to moving to Great Bend, Johnson held pastor positions with three congregations in Illinois and two in Oklahoma.
“Bill has been a great church and civic leader in the community for many years,” said Randy Goering, administrative chairman at the church. For the past 27 years, Johnson has faithfully served as the senior pastor at First Christian Church in Great Bend. In the late 1990s he led the church through a building project of a 23,000-square-foot worship center.
Members of the congregation plan to honor Bill and his wife Lois Ann with a public reception from 2:30-4:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 12, at the Great Bend Convention Center, 3111 10th St. For those unable to attend, cards and love offerings may be sent to the First Christian Church, 5230 Broadway, Great Bend, KS 67530.