Bill Bryant Johnson (born July 18, 1951) is the senior leader of Bethel Church, a charismaticmegachurch in Redding, California.[3][4] Under his leadership, the congregation reportedly grew from approximately 2,000 members in 1996[5] to more than 11,000 by 2019.[6] He is known for his teachings on revival, healing, and the supernatural, which have helped shape the global Bethel movement and influenced contemporary charismatic Christianity.[7] He helped establish the Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry, which has drawn students from around the world and has been the subject of media coverage.[8] Johnson is also an author and itinerant speaker and has been featured in Christian media and documentary films.[9] His ministry has attracted both widespread support and criticism, particularly regarding theology and political involvement.[10][11]
Johnson is a fifth-generation pastor and has held the position of senior leader at Bethel Church since 1996. His ministry is associated with a charismatic movement emphasizing revival, healing, and the gifts of the Holy Spirit. According to Christianity Today, Johnson holds "considerable influence among charismatic Christians all over the world".[12] When he accepted the role at Bethel, he reportedly did so with the understanding that the church would prioritize revival and the pursuit of God’s supernatural presence.[12] His father, M. Earl Johnson, previously served as Bethel's senior pastor from 1968 to 1982, during the church's affiliation with the Assemblies of God.[12] Before joining Bethel, Johnson and his wife served as the senior pastors of Mountain Chapel in Weaverville, California from 1978 to 1996.[13]
In 1987, Johnson attended a "signs and wonders" conference led by John Wimber in hopes of advancing healing ministry, but later expressed disappointment: “They had fruit for what they believed. All I had was good doctrine.” He identified this as a turning point, stating that embracing “faith”—understood as taking risk—opened the way for reported healing manifestations in his ministry.[14] In 1995, he traveled to Toronto, Canada to attend some of the Toronto Blessing revival meetings, where he described being significantly affected by the spiritual atmosphere and shifted toward a stronger emphasis on charismatic gifts and supernatural ministry in his leadership.[14]
In 1998, Johnson, along with Bethel Senior Associate Leader Kris Vallotton, started the Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry to train students to become revivalists. The school has over 2,000 students from 57 countries.[12] Johnson is also part of the Core Residential Faculty at Wagner University in Rancho Cucamonga, CA.[15]
Brenda ("Beni"), the wife of Bill Johnson, died of cancer on July 13, 2022.[16]
Bill and Brenda Johnson have three children including: Brian Johnson, Eric Johnson and Leah Valenzuela.[17]
Popular culture
Johnson has appeared in multiple documentaries, including Father of Lights and Holy Ghost Reborn, produced by Darren Wilson.[18] He has also been interviewed and highlighted in several CBN news stories.[19][20] He was featured on the cover of Charisma magazine in August 2016 with a story titled "Born for Revival."[21] Johnson was also a guest on Sid Roth's It's Supernatural in October 2016.[22] He was later featured in the 2018 documentary American Gospel: Christ Alone which critisized aspects of the prosperity gospel and portrayed Johnson as a key figure within that movement.[10]
Political and cultural views
In a 2016 Facebook post, Johnson explained his decision to vote for Donald Trump, citing concerns about abortion, same-sex marriage, and globalization, which he described as contrary to biblical values. His wife, Beni Johnson, also expressed support for Trump.[23] Johnson reaffirmed his endorsement during the 2020 presidential election.[24]
Bill Johnson opposes homosexuality calling it a sin and "violation of design".[25] In a Facebook video blog he elaborated on the issue stating that "God did not make those human bodies to come together, to fit, in that way".[25] Bethel Church later published an official statement affirming its belief that sexual intimacy belongs within heterosexual marriage—but also expressing compassion and respectful engagement toward LGBTQ individuals.[26]
In 2018, Bethel Church publicly opposed three bills in the California state legislature that would have restricted conversion therapy, expressing concern that the bills could limit their ability to provide ministry to individuals seeking to change their sexual orientation. The church released a public statement, submitted letters to lawmakers, and encouraged congregants to contact legislators. These efforts included a sermon titled "What Would Jesus Do in a PC World?" by senior associate leader Kris Vallotton, who also tweeted in support of individuals who had "come out of homosexuality".[3][27]
Controversy
Bill Johnson has been a polarizing figure within charismatic Christianity due to his emphasis on supernatural phenomena such as divine healing, prophecy, dominion theology, and spiritual warfare. Critics argue these teachings often lack biblical support and raise unrealistic expectations for divine intervention.[12]
In December 2019, Bethel Church drew widespread attention by encouraging global prayer for the resurrection of a two-year-old girl, Olive Alayne Heiligenthal, after her sudden death. The campaign, including calls led by Bethel worship leaders, was widely shared online under the hashtag #WakeUpOlive. Despite pronouncements of resurrection, the child was never revived.[11] Coverage raised ethical concerns around the emotional and theological implications of commanding life in a situation of grief.[28]
Johnson is often associated with questionable worship practices perceived as extrabiblical or syncretistic—such as “grave soaking,” angel feathers, and gold dust phenomena.[29] These features have been examined by observers as representing a departure from traditional Christian worship.[30]
He is frequently linked with the New Apostolic Reformation, a loose movement promoting modern apostles, prophets, and the idea of cultural dominion. Although Johnson denies formal ties, multiple analyses have noted strong thematic overlap in doctrine and practice.[12]
Johnson maintains broad affiliations within the global charismatic network. He co-authored Invading Babylon: The 7 Mountain Mandate, aligning him with dominion-focused revivalism. Critics argue that the doctrine misinterprets biblical texts, conflates spiritual mission with cultural dominion, and aligns too closely with Christian nationalist ideologies.[31] He has appeared alongside other high-profile charismatic leaders, including Heidi Baker, Randy Clark, and Francis Chan.[32]
Johnson has also participated in events hosted by Jesus Image, an Orlando-based ministry led by Michael Koulianos, the son-in-law and protégé of televangelist Benny Hinn.[33] While Johnson has not been directly tied to Hinn’s theology or ministry practices, critics have noted that such affiliations place him within a network of charismatic leaders known for promoting controversial supernatural claims, prosperity teachings, and unverifiable healing practices.[34]
While Johnson has not personally issued well-documented false prophecies in mainstream reports, his teachings and ministry models often posit prophetic expectation and high-risk spiritual practice.[30] Critics have drawn attention to the cultural cost of failed declarations—including the Olive campaign and perceived overemphasis on miraculous outcomes—as part of their critique of prophetic accountability.[35]
Published works
When Heaven Invades Earth (Destiny Image Publishers, 2003) ISBN0-7684-2952-8
The Supernatural Power of a Transformed Mind (Destiny Image Publishers, 2005) ISBN0-7684-2252-3
When Heaven Invades Earth Devotional & Journal (Destiny Image Publishers, August 2005) ISBN0-7684-2297-3
Shifting Shadow of Supernatural Power: A Prophetic Manual for Those Wanting to Move in God's Supernatural Power (co-author) (Destiny Image Publishers, August 2006) ISBN0-7684-2369-4
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