Bishop William "Ray" Johnson
On October 27, 1971 William Ray and JoAnn Johnson arrived in Denham Springs, Louisiana with their two small sons and a promise from God. They had agreed to pastor a small church (27 members) which was encumbered with debt.
This struggling church had no financial foundation to meet the mountain of debt, so they made peanut brittle and donuts to sell and worked hard with their hands as they trusted God to bring them to victory. Brother and Sister Johnson taught their followers to fast and pray and to believe God for a miracle, and before long the congregation began to share the dream and vision that their pastor had for their city. Within a year and a half the church had a breakthrough in the Holy Ghost and attendance began to grow!
Not only did Brother Johnson pastor the Denham Springs Congregation of over 1,300 members, but he has begun churches in Amite, Port Allen, Donaldsonville, Baton Rouge, Greensburg, Plaquemine, two churches in the state of Connecticut, as well as Spanish speaking churches in Denham Springs and Baton Rouge. Average Sunday attendance of all of the churches is over 1,800 souls.
Bro Johnson who was not only our pastor, our bishop but also played a dual role as Uncle to Bro and Sis Russell. He was an inspiration, an encourager, faith builder, prayer warrior and instrumental in Bro Russell coming to Albany He was, hands down the best bible teacher, secure in his knowledge of the oneness of God and the plan of salvation.That was his candystick. If he took his suit coat off while he was preaching you knew what he was preaching on. He loved his church and his people unconditionally. When the choir would sing he would jump from his chair beaming with pride and would join in with them although he could carry a tune in a bucket. He was absolutely the biggest prankster and did it with a straight face. He is sorely missed and we look forward to the day we see him again. Thank God for that blessed hope.