Louisiana Christian elects Johnson its 10th president
Dr. Mark Johnson has been elected president of Louisiana Christian University.
The Louisiana Christian University Board of Trustees has approved Johnson, the current director of the Doctor of Ministry program at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, its 10th president, upon recommendation of the presidential search committee.
“There have been countless hours of prayer, listening, seeking, reading resumes and other application materials, while asking God to guide this process and have His way,” said Tommy Kiker, chair of the search committee. “With this vote today, approving Dr. Mark Johnson as the 10th President in the history of Louisiana Christian University, we believe God has graciously and wonderfully answered those prayers and blessed this labor.”
In May 2024, the Board of Trustees created a presidential search committee comprising four board members and two LCU faculty, assisted by a candidate search consultant. The committee was tasked with conducting its search independently and as transparently as possible while maintaining the confidentiality of the candidates being reviewed. The committee has carried out this mission without external influence, fully trusting God in the process, and maintaining a high level of integrity and confidence in their efforts.
The firm of CarterBaldwin Executive Search, one of the top 50 executive search firms in the United States, assisted in the search.
“We are thrilled to announce that Dr. Mark Johnson has been elected by the Louisiana Christian University Board of Trustees as the next president of our esteemed institution,” said Anthony Bunting, chair of the Board of Trustees. “Dr. Johnson’s exemplary leadership and profound love for the students and staff will undoubtedly support our mission and
foster the growth and support of our university. Dr. Johnson said he sees this role as a divine calling. He is moved by the opportunity to serve the Lord at this remarkable institution. He is committed to upholding the university’s Christian values and inspiring students and staff to grow in their faith and academic pursuits. Dr. Johnson emphasized his commitment to a transparent leadership style and expressed his eagerness to build meaningful relationships. He believes that through open communication and mutual respect, the university can achieve new heights of excellence.”
Johnson earned a Doctor of Ministry from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, with his project titled Racial Reconciliation in the Southern Baptist Convention, focusing on the themes of repentance, reconciliation, and restoration. His debut book, Black Church White Convention: A Pastor’s Story of Hope, set for release in spring 2025, chronicles his experience leading an African American church into the Southern Baptist Convention.
In 2019, Johnson and his family relocated to New Orleans to pursue a Ph.D. in Evangelism, Pastoral Ministries, and Christian Leadership. After guiding Edgewater Baptist Church of New Orleans through the COVID-19 pandemic as senior pastor, he joined the faculty at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary as assistant professor of evangelism and pastoral ministries and director of the Doctor of Ministry Division.
He and his wife, Heather Williams Johnson, a former LCU Board of Trustees member, have been married for 29 years. They have four children.
Johnson now serves as a trustee of Washington and Jefferson College, previously as chairman of the Development and Alumni Relations Committee, and currently as chairman of the Student Success Committee, as well as a member of the Enrollment/Admissions Committee, and the Campaign Steering Committee advising on a $200-million campaign.
Johnson is a third-generation Baptist minister. He graduated with his B.A. from Washington and Jefferson College in 1994, becoming the first African American senior class commencement speaker in the college’s 243-year history.
After a professional basketball career in Europe and South America, he earned his Master of Divinity in 2004 and Master of Theology in 2005, both from Princeton Theological Seminary.
As a student at Princeton, Johnson was named executive director of Youth and Young Adult Ministries at the 7,000-member Metropolitan Baptist Church in Newark, New Jersey. He was honored as one of the “100 Positive Men of New Jersey” for his impactful work with at-risk youth. Johnson transitioned to the nonprofit sector as the National Best Men Program director for the Best Friends Youth Foundation in Washington, D.C., where he presented character-based curricula on Capitol Hill for U.S. school districts.
In 2009, Johnson was elected the eighth pastor of Liberty Hill Baptist Church in Cleveland, Ohio, where he led significant church and community growth. He established national
partnerships with churches, businesses, and organizations, including Hollywood’s Paramount Pictures, and annually mobilized more than 1,000 missionaries to revitalize Cleveland. His work also attracted the attention of Baseball Chapel, leading to his appointment as chaplain for the then Cleveland Indians (now Guardians) in 2016-18, where he served alongside his wife to provide spiritual and family support for the organization.
Dr. David Jeffreys, LCU executive vice president, has served as interim president since the retirement of Dr. Rick Brewer in the spring of 2024.
“Dr. Jeffreys jumped into the role and maintained the momentum of the university in the interim,” Bunting said. “I want to thank him for his dedication to the university and his unwavering commitment to her success. He will take on a leadership role at the university alongside the new president, ensuring a seamless transition and continued excellence in our academic and spiritual endeavors.”