Faithfully present.Purposefully leading.

Early roots and a heart for the Gospel

Reverend Charles Reginald Johnson, Sr. was born in 1965 in Huntsville, Texas. In 1967, he moved to Los Angeles, California, with his mother and five siblings. The family united with Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Dr. Edward Victor Hill, a spiritual father whose influence would leave a lasting mark on his life and ministry.

At the age of twelve, Pastor Johnson accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior and began serving faithfully in youth ministry. He later became President of the California State Baptist Youth Convention USA, Inc. During his two-year tenure, he led an evangelism campaign through which more than 3,500 people gave their lives to Christ, an early expression of the passion for souls that continues to shape his ministry.

Education and preparation

Pastor Johnson earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Southern California and a Master of Divinity degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He is completing doctoral studies at Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia.

Answering the call to pastoral ministry

In 1991, he accepted his first pastorate at St. John’s Missionary Baptist Church in Greenville, Texas. Through prayer, vision, and faithful outreach, his ministry affirmed a conviction that has remained central to his calling: a congregation’s impact grows from its obedience to God, regardless of its size.

In 1993, he returned to Los Angeles to serve at New Christ Memorial Church. For four years, he served as Pastor of New Members, Education and Young Adults under Senior Pastor Andrae Crouch. His ministry also extended from North America to Africa through The Cities of Refuge Christian Fellowship Churches and Ministries International, where he served as founding and presiding Bishop for more than thirty years.

Leading through prayer and change

In 2009, Pastor Johnson was called to serve as Senior Pastor of Cochran Avenue Baptist Church in Los Angeles. For sixteen years, he guided the congregation through a season of spiritual growth and direction. Among the ministry’s lasting expressions was the Making the Kingdom Proud Prayer Line, which grew to reach believers around the world.

When the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted in-person worship in 2020, his leadership helped the church transition to online broadcasting with minimal disruption to its mission. His service has also extended beyond the pulpit through participation on medical and academic governing boards, advocating for people who need a voice and a support system.

Family and partnership in ministry

In 1993, God blessed Pastor Johnson with his wife, Virna L. Johnson, affectionately known as First Lady V. They share more than thirty-three years of marriage and partnership in ministry. Her zeal for the Kingdom has made her an indispensable partner in their shared calling. Together, they are the parents of eight uniquely gifted children.

A new calling to Mount Zion

During his service at Cochran, Pastor Johnson discerned a new calling to Mount Zion Baptist Church in Seattle, Washington. In March 2026, the congregation elected him Senior Pastor-Elect at an all-church meeting, a calling he believes came directly from the Lord.

Today, as Senior Pastor, he brings spiritual direction and a deep commitment to helping Mount Zion move forward in God’s purpose. Across forty-nine years in ministry and thirty-six years as a pastor, his calling remains clear: to boldly teach the Word of God, offer hope and joy to a hurting world, and point people to Jesus Christ as Savior.