December 2014 Pulpit Champion-Rev. Todd Johnson

The American Pastors Network announces it’s Pulpit Champion for the month of December, 2014, Rev. Todd Johnson.

Johnson is Senior Pastor of the First Immanuel Baptist Church in North Philadelphia and a member of the Pennsylvania Pastors Network Leadership Council. He is also the host and producer of LaSalle University’s community talk show “Bridging the Gap” and has served as Chaplain of the Philadelphia Black Republican Council.

“Todd Johnson is an exceptional leader in the Philadelphia area and beyond,” said Sam Rohrer, President of APN and the Pennsylvania Pastors Network (PPN, www.papastors.net). “He is unequivocally committed to the authority of Scripture, uncompromisingly dedicated to serving his congregation and unafraid to teach the full Word of God as it pertains to every realm—including spiritual, cultural, and social. APN is pleased to name Todd Johnson as our December Pulpit Champion.” 

According to APN, Johnson has demonstrated a desire to promote the mission, vision and purpose of the American Pastors Network, which is to affirm the authority of Scripture, take seriously Jesus’ command to be “salt and light” to the culture, encourage informed Christian thinking about contemporary social issues, examine public policy issues without politicizing their pulpits and engage their congregations in taking part in our political process on a non-partisan basis.

APN recently asked Rev. Johnson why he believes it’s important for pastors to speak out on issues affecting the culture. Johnson replied, “I think pastors should speak out to the issues of the day because people need to hear from God’s Word and God’s people concerning the soul of the matter, which is, ‘What does the Bible say?’”

Johnson noted that his life verse is Luke 4:18: “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free (NIV).”

Rev. Johnson graduated from Frankford High School in Philadelphia and Geneva College in western Pennsylvania, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Urban Ministry. Johnson also studied at Reformed Theological Seminary and has an extensive background as a stand-up comic after graduating from Cabaret School of Comedy. He is the former President of BANA and a Belfield Area Neighborhood Association Member of the Lehigh Wrestling Club. 

Thank you, Rev. Todd Johnson, for being our Pulpit Champion of the month!