William M. Johnson

Ministry description:

An Atlanta native, William (Bill) Johnson became a Christian at age nine, at Smyrna (GA) First Baptist Church, where he was raised by Christian parents. He and Phyllis were married in 1967 and raised three Christian sons, who are now married to Christian spouses. The Johnsons are enjoying the blessing of their seven grandchildren, born between September 2001 and February 2008.

Bill is a graduate of Georgia State University with a Bachelor and Master of Business Administration in Finance (1968 and 1970). In 1978, he started Johnson Development Company on a “faith promise” with God and an initial investment of $10,000. Following a 20-year successful career of developing, managing, and owning 1.2 million square feet of shopping centers, office parks, and a 172-room hotel, Bill merged his real estate portfolio in 1997 into Colonial Properties Trust (NYSE: CLP) and was elected to their 10-member Board of Trustees. Bill serves on the Colonial’s Executive Committee and the Executive Compensation Committee.

In 1999, God gave Bill a passion for empowering leaders of the church (according to Romans 10:14-15) to fulfill the Great Commission, resulting in several ministry consultation trips in 2001, 2002, 2003, and 2006 to Kenya and Ghana. His working relationships with indigenous leaders in Kenya, Ghana, India, Brazil, and the Haitian community of Atlanta have resulted in numerous leaders being trained in mission strategies, new congregations being started with heretofore unreached people groups, and homeless children receiving a permanent home. 

Bill is president and co-founder (along with his wife) of three charitable foundations who partner with Christian organizations to: 1) educate and train leaders to preach the Gospel worldwide; 2) proclaim the Gospel to unchurched peoples locally, nationally, and internationally; 3) teach churches the blessing of obedience of the Great Commission; and 4) relieve human suffering from thirst, hunger, and disease, for the cause of Jesus Christ. 

Bill is also a member of Asbury Theological Seminary's Board and a former board member of the Cherokee County Development and Airport Authorities.

In 2000, he was founding chairman of the executive committee of the Church Ministries division of The Mission Society to mobilize the local church for global impact. He also serves as a volunteer Strategic Planning Consultant to The Mission Society, with emphasis on corporate vision, communication, and donor development. Bill served the Board of The Mission Society for several years and was re-elected to the Board in 2006. He currently serves as Chairman of the  Board.