Pastor's Biography

Born in Memphis, Tennessee, Dr. Johnson is a graduate of Tennessee State University (B.S.); Morehouse School of Religion--Interdenominational Theological Center (M.Div.); Mississippi College (M.A.) and Emory University (D.Min.).

From 1967-68, Dr. Johnson served as Chaplain, Tougaloo College and in August 1968, accepted the pastorate of the historic Farish Street Baptist Church, Jackson, Mississippi. From 1970-75, while still serving the pastorate of Farish Street Baptist Church, Dr. Johnson directed the Jackson Opportunities Industrialization Center (OIC), a non-profit community-based jobs training program. In October 1976, he was appointed Regional Director of the Atlanta region of OICs of America with responsibility for twenty-eight local affiliates in an eight-state region. In June 1977, Dr. Johnson resigned as Regional Director of OIC to give more time to a demanding pastorate.

From November 1981-January 1989, Dr. Johnson served as Dean of Academic Affairs, Mississippi Baptist Seminary. On January 1, 1989, he was elected President of Mississippi Baptist Seminary, Jackson, Mississippi, serving in that capacity until November 2004. From February 1991 to May 1991, Dr. Johnson served as Interim Executive Director, Jackson Housing Authority. In January 1994, he was re-appointed Interim Executive Director and in June 1994, was appointed Executive Director, Jackson Housing Authority and served until October 2000. Under his leadership the Jackson Housing Authority received several awards and recognitions, including the Secretary's Citation and Best Practice Award for its affordable homeownership program. In May 2001, Dr. Johnson was appointed Interim Executive Director, Tupelo Housing Authority and in December 2001, accepted the appointment as Executive Director, serving until August 2004. In June 2004, he accepted the position of Executive Director, Mississippi Regional Housing Authority No. VI..

He is extremely active in the Church and community, having served as Chairman, Mississippi Religious Leadership Conference (MRLC); Chairman, MRLC Disaster Task Force; Co-Chairman, Change in the Form of Government Committee, a blue ribbon citizens' committee appointed by the Mayor to recommend changes in Jackson's commission form of government; Chairman, Seminole District Committee, Boy Scouts of America; Member, Executive Board, Andrew Jackson Council, Boy Scouts of America; Member, Southern Ecumenical Council on Maternal and Infant Health of the Southern Governors' Association; Member, Seminole District Committee, Boy Scouts of America; Moderator, Jackson District Missionary Baptist Association, Inc. (1988-1994); Corresponding Secretary, General Baptist State Convention of Mississippi (1988-1994); Member, Theological Commission, National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc. (1971-1990); Commissioner, City of Jackson Housing Authority (1969-1991) and Chairman, City of Jackson Housing Authority Board of Commissioners (1990-91). Dr. Johnson is Supervisor General Division and Faculty Member, National Baptist Congress of Christian Education; Board of Directors, Mississippi Religious Leadership Conference; Board of Directors, General Baptist State Convention of Mississippi; Member, National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO); Member, Public Housing Authorities Directors' Association (PHADA); Member, Southeastern Regional, Housing and Redevelopment Officials; Member, Phi Delta Kappa Professional Fraternity; Member, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated; and Member, Beta Gamma Boule, Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity.

In recognition of his service to the church and community, he was awarded honorary degrees from Natchez College (D.D) and Mississippi Baptist Seminary (D.D.). Dr. Johnson received the Mississippi Religious Leadership Conference's Distinguished Religious Leaders Award and the 1990 Boy Scouts of America District Award of Merit. Dr. Johnson is a member of the International Society of Theta Phi and is listed in Personalities of the South, 1973 edition and Biographical Directory of Negro Ministers, third edition and a Contributor, Townsend Commentary, 1988-89.

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Farish Street Baptist Church ●619 N. Farish Street ●Jackson, MS 39202

Phone: (601) 355-0636●Fax (601) 961-9560

Dr. Hickman M. Johnson, Senior Pastor