Born in Huntsville, Texas in 1965, Pastor Charles Johnson relocated to Los Angeles, California that same year with his mother and five siblings. The family became members of Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Dr. Edward Victor Hill, Sr., whose mentorship profoundly shaped Pastor Johnson’s ministerial journey.

At the age of 12, Pastor Johnson accepted Christ and fully committed himself to his faith. He became actively involved in youth ministries at his church and served at both the district and state levels. His dedication led him to serve as President of the California State Baptist Youth Convention USA, Inc., where his evangelistic efforts resulted in over 3,500 people giving their lives to Christ. Evangelism has remained the heart of his ministry ever since.

Pastor Johnson pursued his education at the University of Southern California and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and is currently enrolled in the Doctor of Ministry Program at Gateway Baptist Theological Seminary.

In 1991, God blessed him with his wife, Virna L. Johnson, whose passion and creativity have been a tremendous asset to the body of Christ. Together, they have been married for over 25 years and are the proud parents of seven beautiful and uniquely gifted children.

In 1993, Pastor Johnson returned to Los Angeles with a new calling—to plant churches. After faithfully serving for four years at New Christ Memorial Church under Senior Pastor Andraé Crouch, he began planting churches across North America and Africa under the banner of The Cities of Refuge Christian Fellowship Churches and Ministries International, where he has served as the presiding Bishop for over 30 years.

In 2008, God led Pastor Johnson to Cochran Avenue Baptist Church during a pivotal time, calling him to shepherd the congregation with wisdom and faith. Under his leadership, Cochran has flourished, and his emphasis on the power of prayer led to the launch of The Making the Kingdom Proud (MTKP) Prayer Line. What started as a one-day church prayer gathering grew into a movement, now in its 15th year, reaching people worldwide every morning at 5:00 AM (PST) through word of mouth and social media.

In 2020, facing the challenges of the pandemic, Pastor Johnson guided Cochran through a seamless transition to online broadcasting, ensuring that worship and fellowship continued uninterrupted. His visionary leadership allowed the church to adapt and thrive in unprecedented times.

By 2024, Pastor Johnson’s impact extended beyond the pulpit. Committed to serving God’s people in all areas of life, he actively contributes to medical and academic governing boards, advocating for those in need and ensuring that the church’s mission extends beyond its walls. His belief that faith must be lived out in action continues to shape his ministry.

With 39 years in ministry, 34 years pastoring, and 16 years as the pastor of Cochran Avenue Baptist Church, Pastor Johnson remains unwavering in his mission—to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ to a world in need of hope and joy. His passionate and bold teaching opens hearts and minds, leading people closer to Christ and transforming lives through the power of God’s Word.