Find out what new professor M. Dujon Johnson conquered in his quest to spread the gospel to China
The following is excerpted from The Vision Magazine’s Fall 2014 edition. Read the article in its entirety by picking up a copy of The Vision on newsstands across campus.
Original article written by Faith Auslund, The Vision Magazine Staff Writer
Edited by Alex Kern, The Vision Magazine Editor-In-Chief
M. Dujon Johnson
Photo by John Bell
Dujon Johnson’s love for the country of China is displayed with framed Chinese typography across one wall in his office while several Chinese diplomas line the other.
Johnson focused on his ministry and education in China before relocating to North Greenville University this fall. Johnson finished his first semester at NGU as an assistant professor of history.
Johnson explained that he became interested in China after reading an article in a periodical called “Foreign Affairs.” He began corresponding with the author Michel Oksenberg, and was inspired to learn more about China with a first-hand experience.
“If I knew how difficult it was to study Chinese, I never would have done it,” he said. However, the challenge motivated him to conquer the Chinese language, and he felt a persistent call to share the Gospel firsthand with the people of China.
Johnson spent most of his time in southeastern China but recently relocated to central China. He moved to the city of Chongqing, which is currently the largest city in the world, home to almost 30 million people. He went on to become a professor at Chongqing University where he is still on staff.
Johnson has already achieved some of his goals in going to China. He said he not only wanted to change how Chinese people view Americans, but he also wanted to share his faith.
Johnson said that he had his work cut out for him due to China’s anti-American sentiments. Being an African-American, Johnson has a unique perspective and also a special power to proclaim the Gospel. Johnson tells the Chinese people that unlike what they have heard, America is colorblind.
“That opens the door for me to talk about another colorblind thing, and that’s Christ” Johnson said. “It’s not an American thing, it’s not a Western thing, what you’re told. It’s a Christ thing.” Johnson said these conversations provide an avenue for him to proclaim the Gospel of Christ.
