Dr. Gerald Johnson

Dr. Gerald L. Johnson

Dr. Johnson was nurtured in Christ at a young age at Emanuel AME Church in Harlem, New York. By age nine, he was teaching Sunday school and preached his first message at age twelve. He was delegated Assistant Pastor for the junior church of Emanuel AME Church where he served faithfully for three years.

After graduating from Alfred E. Smith High School in 1974, he joined the United States Marine Corps in 1977. He has three adult children, Toiyriah, Aischa, and Gerald II, and five grandchildren. Overseer Johnson retired from the United States Marine Corps in 1997.

He received his AA degree in Theology from the International Bible College & Seminary and was ordained a Minister in the Baptist Church in 1989. In 1997, he was ordained an Elder by the Elders’ Council of the Southern California First Jurisdiction, Church of God in Christ. In preparation for his ministry, he also completed a course in Community Economic Development at San Diego State University.

The ministry of the City of Refuge reflected the marketplace that we read about in the Old Testament…everything went on in the marketplace and at the gate sat an Elder who had extensive involvement in the lives of forgotten people in the community. The City of Refuge stood watch at the gateway to the marketplace. Gospel services were regularly held at the Camp Pendleton Base Brig., Rainbow Conservation Camp, Donovan State Prison, and Centinela State Prison.

The City of Refuge Church of God in Christ

On October 1, 1997, the first official service of the City of Refuge Church of God in Christ was held. In April 1998, services were held in a warehouse where the “City” (as it was referred to) worshiped for another six months. God then moved again and opened the door of the Vista Del Oro apartment complex activity room. In October 1999, Father Michael Gagnon, Pastor of the Mission San Luis Rey Parish, offered his hospitality to the “City,” and finally three years later by the leading of God the church moved again to Oceanside Boulevard

Greater Harvest Church of God in Christ

In 2014, Elder Johnson was elevated by the National Church of God In Christ to Overseer and was appointed as Pastor at Greater Harvest Church of God in Christ in Long Beach, CA by Bishop Joe L. Ealy. Overseer Johnson also currently serves as Chairman of the General Assembly Credentials Committee for the National Church

Dr. Johnson held the office of President of the North San Diego County Branch of the NAACP, was a member of the Executive Committee of the California State Conference of the NAACP, serving as State Religious Affairs Chair, and as a key point person on Gang Violence.
He is a chaplain with the International Crisis Intervention Foundation and the senior Chaplain for the Oceanside Police Department. He also serves as Chaplain in charge of volunteer services at the Marine Corps Base Brig at Camp Pendleton and chaplain at the Rainbow Conservation Camp, as well as Donovan State Prison.
In addition to serving as Senior Chaplain for the Oceanside Police Department (2000–present), Overseer Johnson also serves as chairman of the Interfaith Advisory Council of the San Diego County District Attorney's Office (2003–present).

He is a member of the Cal State University of San Marcos Police Advisory Board and was for five years previously a member of the Police & Fire Commission for the city of Oceanside (2001- 2006). He has served as an Executive board member of the Southern California First Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction, Church of God in Christ; (2000-2012) Executive Secretary/Treasurer for the United African American Ministerial Action Council (1999-2004); Vice-President United African American Ministerial Action Council (2012-Present), Vice-President for Para-chapel ministry at Camp Pendleton (1998–2004); and a trained Facilitator for Prison Fellowship (1995- 2009).
High praise to God and to Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, on August 7, 2010, the Next Dimension Bible College conferred a Master’s Degree in Christian Counseling and a Doctorate of Ministry on Elder Johnson. God is truly good!

Dr. Johnson has gone on mission trips to Indonesia, Korea, and Thailand and returned with some of his most cherished memories in ministry to date. His vision for the future encompasses South Africa, India, Australia, and whatever other doors God sees fit to open. Overseer Johnson is married to the lovely Belinda K. Johnson.