National Evangelism Movement

Mitchell Spotlights ‘Extraordinary Ministry of Rocellia Johnson’

Cora Jackson-Fossett, Religion EditorApril 7, 2021

The Los Angeles-area faith community is quite familiar with the legacy of the Rev. Dr. Rocellia Johnson. While he passed away in 2018, he left an indelible mark that many still imitate today. Johnson not only founded Bethany Baptist Church of West Los Angeles in 1958, but he also established Bethany Christian Bible College (BCBC) in 1978 and served several years as executive director of the National Evangelism Movement (NEM). Throughout his long ministry, thousands of people accepted Christ as their Savior and an equal number accepted their call to preach the Gospel. Johnson influenced countless lives and now, author

Religion

Homegoing Services Set for Rev. Rocellia Johnson, Founder of Bethany Baptist Church

Cora Jackson-Fossett, Religion EditorOctober 3, 2018

When the Rev. Rocellia Johnson migrated to Los Angeles in 1941, no one foresaw that God would use his ministry in such an impactful way. But empowered with Christ’s favor, Pastor Johnson drew thousands of people to the Lord by organizing Bethany Baptist Church of West Los Angeles in 1958, founding Bethany Christian Bible College (BCBC) in 1978 and serving 27 years as executive director of the National Evangelism Movement (NEM). Even after retiring as Bethany’s senior pastor in 2009, Johnson moved to pastor emeritus status where he still shared his time and talents with the church and BCBC, always