Dr. Alonzo Johnson
Our Senior Pastor and pioneering leader is Dr. Alonzo Johnson. He is an internationally-known preacher and theologian who preaches and teaches with passion, clarity and simplicity, attracting persons of all ages, races, educational and social backgrounds. He is also widely-known as a religious leader, business executive, and community servant. Dr. Johnson is the President & CEO of Agape Health Services, LLC, a full-service home health care agency serving persons throughout South Carolina (Click here to see the link to Agape Health Services, LLC). The business employs more than 100 persons and offers 24/7 health care. He is a leader in the Church of God in Christ, having served in executive positions in the South Carolina Jurisdiction and in the National Church. He currently serves as an Administrative Assistant to the Bishop in South Carolina and as the District Superintendent of the Capitol District, Columbia, SC; he is also the Jurisdictional Dean of Education. He is a member of the Board of Trustees of the Charles Harrison Mason Theological Seminary, Atlanta, GA and the Interdenominational Theological Center, Atlanta, GA.; he serves on the Board of Directors of the St. Andrews Kiwanis Club, Columbia, SC. He has also been a member of the board of directors of Eau Claire Cooperative Health Centers, Inc., Columbia, SC. Dr. Johnson holds professional membership in the National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers. He was a member of the Board of Reference for the Global Day of Prayer in Columbia, SC.
In his professional career, Dr. Johnson has served in many distinguished capacities, among them are: Professor of Religious Studies at the University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC. From 1991-2003; he was the Commissioner of Education for the Church of God in Christ (COGIC) from 2001-2003, in this capacity, he was the Founding President of All Saints Bible College, (COGIC) in Memphis, Tennessee. The far-reaching programs which were instituted during his tenure continue to guide the educational programs of the Church of God in Christ to this day. Since 1986, Dr. Johnson has been the senior Pastor of Bowman Temple Church of God in Christ, Bowman, SC. From 1997-2000, he was the Executive Consultant and Dean for the W.L. Bonner College, Columbia, SC. He led that institution to full accreditation with the International Christian Accrediting Association. Dr. Johnson has also held professional positions at Benedict College, Columbia, SC and Claflin College, Orangeburg, SC. Moreover, he has been adjunct Professor at McCormick Theological Seminary, Chicago, IL and the Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary, Columbia, SC. Dr. Johnson was born and reared in Goose Creek, SC. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from Claflin University. He also has earned a Master of Divinity, Master of Sacred Theology, Master of Philosophy, and a Doctor of Philosophy degree from Union Theological Seminary, New York City.
He has travelled extensively and has authored several books including, Thought You Knew Everything About Church? Think Again; Good News for the Disinherited; Ain't Gonna Lay My 'Ligion Down' and Dancing With The Spirit.
Pastor Johnson enjoys the loving support of his wife and closest friend, Dr. Richel V. Sion-Johnson; she is the "sweetheart" of Universal Outreach. A native of the Republic of Suriname, she is avidly committed to missions and community outreach & youth ministries. They are the parents of two adult children Rendell & Ashley, both of whom are actively involved in the church and in the family business.