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DR. THOMAS D. JOHNSON, SR.

Our Senior Pastor

DR. THOMAS D. JOHNSON, SR. Our Senior Pastor

The Reverend Dr. Thomas D. Johnson, Sr. is the Spirit-filled and Spirit-led Senior Pastor of Harlem’s historic Canaan Baptist Church of Christ. He was called to pastor Canaan on the Day of Decision, November 17, 2005. He officially began his duties on February 1, 2006 and was installed as the fourth Senior Pastor on April 30, 2006.

During his tenure as the spiritual leader and dynamic preacher, Dr. Johnson has engaged the congregation to embrace a new vision and implement his strategic plan for a new era at Canaan, based on a biblical foundation, while continuing to build on Canaan’s traditions and great legacy as a church of social justice. Under his leadership, a capital fund campaign has been launched, and new ministries have been consecrated, including: The Young Adult Ministry and Young Adult Choir; the 8:00 am Sunday worship service to expand the worship experience; Bible Study every Thursday night to help disciples become better students of the Bible; and a leadership program launched by the Institute for Public Policy and Action to develop and train community leaders.

Dr. Johnson is a native of Springfield, Ohio, where he was born the youngest of three children to the late Leo and Emma Johnson. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology from Central State University, Wilberforce, Ohio; a Masters degree in Adult Education from North Carolina A and T State University in Greensboro, North Carolina; A Master of Divinity degree (Magna Cum Laude) from Hood Theological Seminary in Salisbury, North Carolina; and the Doctor of Ministry degree, conferred with distinction, from Drew University, in Madison, New Jersey. Dr. Johnson has served on the faculties of Averett University and Danville Community College, Danville, Virginia, and Bluefield College, in Bluefield, Virginia.

Pastor, preacher and scholar, Dr. Johnson has been preaching and teaching the gospel for more than 30 years. Prior to his election to Senior Pastor of Canaan Baptist Church of Christ, he served as Pastor of Bethel Baptist Church in Danville, Virginia. His 19 years of service to this congregation was preceded by a pastorate of five years at West End Baptist Church in Reidsville, North Carolina.

In addition to his pastoral service, Dr. Johnson is often called upon to lecture on church doctrine and polity. Dr. Johnson is the Executive Director of the Canaan Senior Service Center, the Second Vice President of the New York Progressive Baptist Convention, Inc., and serves the Harlem community as a member of the Board of Directors for Harlem Congregations for Community Improvement, a board member for National Action Network, and a member of the Ministers Conference of Greater New York. He is a proud member of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity. Inc.

Dr. Johnson is married to the former Donna Bradley. They have two children, Tomika and Thomas, Jr., and two grandsons, Tamir and Marcus Jr.