Walter Johnson: A legacy of faithfulness
Photo taken by Treasure Hardwick.
Treasure Hardwick, Staff Writer
Luke 16:10 says, “One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much.”
If there was one word to describe Walter Johnson, Dean of the College of Christian Studies, it would be faithful.
In 1992, Johnson came to North Greenville University with the vision of creating a four-year Christian studies program. When he arrived, there was around 350 students. NGU did not offer any bachelor programs, and many suspected that the school would not last long.
But over the next 32 years, Johnson helped NGU change into a Christ-centered university that is thriving today. Each day he worked with a mission to serve, and by doing so, he impacted countless lives.
Johnson grew up in Greenville. He studied philosophy at Furman University and went to graduate school at the University of South Carolina. He earned a Master of Divinity degree at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, and he also got his doctorate in historical and systematic theology at seminary.
In New Orleans, he met his wife. They got married and had three kids who each studied at NGU. He moved back to Greenville and was pastoring a church when North Greenville hired him to transition them to a four-year university.
At the time, NGU was named “North Greenville College.” The school only offered two-year programs and was predicted to close soon. With Johnsons faithful help, NGU is what it is today. He crafted the Christian studies curriculum and uniquely aided the school in various ways.
He taught classes in hermeneutics, homiletics, new age movements, Old Testament, New Testament and more. Since the school has grown and hired more Christian studies faculty, he is able to stick closer to philosophy and teach systematic theology and philosophy of religion.
Johnson said that over the years at NGU, the biggest lesson he has learned is that the Lord is faithful.
“When I came to NGU, the school was going under financially and hardly had any students. I made up my mind that if the school was going to go under, it was going to go under doing what was right. In the early years, we simply saw the Lord’s faithfulness over and over. We were obedient and left the rest up to God,” he said.
Johnson said that other Christian studies professors have significantly impacted him.
“The Christian studies faculty have probably impacted me the most. We are a close group of people, and we share the same vision. They have made it enjoyable to come to work every day,” he said.
Over the years, Johnson has created many fond memories at the school. He said that he loves when previous students come back to visit him because it brings back memories.
“When I see former students come back and say ‘Hey, I’m doing great’ or walk across the stage, I don’t forget it,” he said.
He loves to watch young people grow, and he has a heart for college students. He encourages students to give everything to the Lord and live their lives for the gospel.
“The scripture says that whatever you do should be for the glory of God. The main goal of your education should be not only to get a good job but to glorify God and do it the best you can. If you do that, everything else falls into place,” he said.
Johnson has announced that he wishes to step away from his role as dean of Christian studies at the end of the 2024 spring semester. But he plans to continue working for the Lord.
“I do not plan to retire in a sense. When the Lord calls someone to do something, they may retire from their job, but they don’t retire from serving the Lord in some way or another,” he said.
Johnson will be NGU’s spring commencement speaker. He will encourage graduates to be faithful in the small things and do everything for God’s glory.
Professors in the College of Christian Studies have commented on Johnson’s legacy and lasting mark.
Curtin Horn, professor of Christian studies, came to NGU in 2001. So far, his time at NGU has been greatly impacted by Johnson. He described Johnson as one of his dearest friends.
Horn listed Johnson as one of the top three most influential people in his life. Whenever he needs wisdom and advice, one of his first instincts is to go to Johnson.
“Walter Johnson was not just my boss. Walter Johnson to me has been a pastor and a spiritual mentor. He was my boss, but I looked up to him more. When there were difficult times in my life, if you’d ask me who I’d seek advice from, it would be Walter Johnson,” Horn said.
Horn described Johnson as a man of deep integrity.
“If there is one word to describe Walter Johnson, it would be integrity. If you ever needed anything, you could count on him, and I think his integrity is fundamentally rooted in his deep love for the Lord. He lives with a deep, deep sense of the Lordship of God in his life, and he reflects that well by loving those around him. It’s all rooted in his love for God and his commitment to do right,” Horn said.
Horn said that Johnson was an amazing boss and friend.
“You won’t find a man who is more trustworthy. If Walter Johnson says he is going to do something, that’s what he does. You can absolutely, completely trust him. Every guy in our Christian studies faculty loves him as a boss because he is incredibly loyal to us, and we can trust that he is going to do what he says he is going to do,” Horn said.
Horn said that Johnson is one of the humblest people he has ever encountered.
“Walter Johnson does not want any limelight. He just wants to do the right thing, be faithful to his calling and he does not seek any recognition in that. He doesn’t want to be seen. There’s a profound humility in him,” he said.
Speaking for the whole College of Christian Studies, Horn said that Johnson will be dearly missed after his retirement.
“Walter Johnson’s DNA is in the College of Christian studies. I can’t imagine a semester without him. I speak for every professor and say that there’s not another man like him, and no words can describe how much we will miss him,” said Horn.
