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Since launching Veterans for Christ, we have been contacted for comments and interviews by:

The Dallas Morning News

Seventh-Day Adventist Record Magazine

For GOD and Country Chaplaincy Journal

Soul 73 KKDA - Dallas Radio Station

Channel 5 Evening News

Dallas Business and Entertainment

and various other organizations on issues related to the Afro-American and Christian Military experience.

     Elder Johnson, a US Marine Corp veteran who received an Social Work & Theological Bachelors, Masters and  Doctorate in Practical Ministry, a professional doctorate developed for those seeking to apply theological principles to their professional practice ministry. The ministry started within his church’s  Nursing Home Ministry led by the late Mrs. Michael Weaver in 1998 at the City Temple SDA Church in Dallas, Texas. In 2005, Dr. Johnson met a veteran during one of their nursing home visits that was awarded a silver star from President George H. Bush for his service in the Army. According to the director the veteran had only one constant visitor, Dr. Johnson.  Family didn’t see fit to visit or consider the feelings of the veteran. Seeing a need, Dr. Johnson consulted with his church pastor (Alex Horton) and a few veterans about an idea doing something for the nursing home veteran. The celebration was to acknowledge the veteran, members and others in the community.  Two weeks before the event…the nursing home veteran died.

     Inspired by the event Dr. Johnson created Veterans for Christ (VFC) in 2005 actively collaborating with the offices of Congresswoman Eddie B. Johnson, Texas State Representative Yvonne Davis and the City Temple SDA Church. Doing so created new ideas, bridges and efforts in connecting with the North American Division SDA Chaplaincy, Southwest Region SDA Conference, Concord Baptist Church, Fellowship United Methodist Church of Dallas, and the Dallas Regional Hospital Chaplaincy to name a few in assisting in events and programs presented by VFC. The program included visiting seniors (also home upkeep), prisoner visitation, veteran yearly celebrations, individual & family advising and homelessness issues. These programs would foster workshops encouraging connections with local churches, governmental efforts and connecting with other partners. Because of religious element, creation of real techniques that are grounded by scripture, physiological facts and guided by the holy spirit. This objective is to create sound programs to free military personnel and their families by using biblical-activism that is inspired by the many “actions” of Jesus, by grounding efforts based in scripture from Matthew 25:31–46. VFC’s mission is to prove that real guidance from the bible with physiological facts creates real process that promotes every life has equal value and true concerns should lead. This emphasis will guide in all processes leading healthy and productive lives based on Jesus Christ. The main focus would be on improving an individual or family’s health, welfare and by giving them a chance to lift themselves out of hunger and extreme poverty especially those with the fewest resources in have access to the opportunities they need to succeed in school and life.

     My duties include working as the face to the military, governmental, religious communities by developing positive relationships with the community at large.  I interact with residents on a daily basis, providing information about city services and programs, answering questions, resolving issues, and building relationships that help strengthen communities. Military families experience considerable stress, periods of long separation, and changes to the family system due to family members planning to enter a war zone. Anticipating issues and enabling military personnel problems improves family, couple and individual functioning. I counsel military personnel and their families Children in military families especially risk factors with service personnel coming from living in high-risk communities.

Certifications

• Harm reduction, de-escalation practices and prevention training 
• Homelessness and mental illness sensitivity training 
• Implicit bias, cultural diversity, and harassment prevention 
• Professional development and computer skills
• CPR and First Aid 
• Neighborhood Emergency Response Team (N.E.R.T) training

           Identifying families from diverse communities and supporting them where they live, learn, and receive care with an understanding on where the issues are. I lead by providing a range of community-based prevention strategies could decrease stress before it escalates into serious mental health issues. Emphasizing family cohesion, community social support, and comprehensive programs through education and health care organizations would go a long way in fostering families’ resilience. Such efforts benefit not only military children, but also larger populations as programs improve family and community capacity to support thriving and mitigate challenges in the face of adversity.

Developed collaborative relationships by working with the following organizations:

• Co – Foundering board member - Veterans Coalition of North Central Texas (VCNCT)
• Congresswoman Eddie B. Johnson (Dist 30) Dallas Veteran Advisory committee
• Congressman Jeb Hensarling (Dist. 5) Dallas Veteran Advisory (un-officially)
• Christian Advisor for military personnel at the North Texas Urban League of Dallas
• Advocate for the National Service Organization (NSO) - North American Division SDA Chaplaincy Ministries  
• Christian Advocate – Dallas Regional VA of North Texas
• Collaborative Advocate for denominations, local governmental bodies and organizations concerning military personnel issues.