George Lee Johnson

George Lee "G.L." Johnson was born on February 24, 1928, in Houston, Texas, the son of a Baptist minister. He married Jacqueline "Jackie" Cockerell in 1950. He was ordained as a minister in Fort Worth, Texas in 1951.

Over the course of his ministry, Reverend Johnson worked as youth speaker, pastor, and evangelist throughout the United States as well as associate director of Latin American Orphanage before coming to Fresno.

Pastor Johnson became Senior Pastor of Peoples Church in 1963 and served faithfully for 45 years until his retirement on February 24, 2008. Even in retirement as Pastor Emeritus, he continued to serve when called upon by the church, assisting in funerals, weddings, and visitation.

He served on several international religious boards as well as local ministry boards. He was instrumental in starting Fresno Christian Schools in cooperation with other local pastors and churches.

As a frequent conference speaker he ministered in over 50 countries and conducted numerous pastors´ seminars around the world. His name is included on many "lists" of well-known pastors and church builders. He has ministered to large crowds in Seoul, Korea, with Dr. Cho; to leaders in Russia following the fall of Communism; and to believers in Romania and China, two countries once thought closed forever to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

He and his friend, the late Pastor Bufe Karraker (then pastor of Northwest Church), gathered church and local leaders to tackle the issue of crime in Fresno. They started the No Name Fellowship and organized the Pastors´ Prayer Summit.

Pastor Johnson was the recipient of Honorary Doctorate Humane Letters (Southern California Theological Seminary); Litterarum Doctorate (California Graduate School of Theology); Distinguished Service Award of the City of Fresno; Fresno Centennial´s 100 Prominent Citizens; "Mayor of Fresno for the Day" (1973 and 1987); Paul Harris Fellow - Rotary Foundation, just to name a few.

So many pastors in the community have referred to him as the "Pastors´ Pastor" or the "Bishop of Fresno." They would come to him for counsel and advice; they trusted him. 'Christianity Today' journalist Tim Stafford wrote, "Somehow he (G.L. Johnson) has managed to inspire more appreciation than jealousy from other pastors (in Fresno)."

In September 2006 the G.L. Johnson Chapel was dedicated in his honor. It will stand on the campus of Peoples Church to serve as a reminder of the legacy he leaves to the church and the community he served.

The family would like to extend their appreciation and gratitude for the prayers, cards, and to those who have been by their side showing care and concern during these past months.

George O. Wood, General Superintendent of the Assemblies of God said, "When I think of dignity, grace, leadership, kindness, breadth of vision and servant leadership, I think of G.L. and Jackie Johnson, two of the finest people God ever made!"

Reverend G.L. Johnson is survived by Jackie Johnson, his wife of 61 years; his daughter, Cindy Pine and her husband Kevin of Fresno; granddaughters, Chyresse Hill and her husband Chris of Sacramento, California, Jill Sanders and her husband Dan of Richland, Washington; and great-grandson, Jacob Lee Sanders. Within the next few weeks his oldest granddaughter, Chyresse, will give birth to a great-grandson with the middle name, Johnson.

Remembrances may be made to the G.L. Johnson Scholarship Fund, c/o Peoples Church, 7172 N. Cedar Ave., Fresno, Ca. 93720.