He began public speaking when he was eleven years of age at Greater St. John A.M.E. Church and his local school, George Gershwin. He was one of the youngest persons (16) ever to be licensed to preach and later ordained in the conference. Dr. Johnson serves as the Senior Pastor of the historic Greater Institutional Church. He has previously pastored six churches in and around the Chicagoland area: Mount Zion, Robinson Chapel, Turner Memorial, Greater St. Paul, Allen Chapel Rockford, and Wayman on the near north side (or the Cabrini-Green community). This year marks thirty-six years in Christian ministry and servitude to humanity.

He is past President of the A.M.E. Ministerial Alliance of Chicago & Vicinity, and served in leadership roles for the following groups: the Near North Ministry Alliance, the Ministerial Alliance Against The Digital Divide (MAADD),Faith Outreach for Safe Humane Chicago, and the Alliance for Community Peace. He currently serves as the Executive Director of the Greater Institutional Daycare and Learning Center.

He graduated from Lindblom Technical High School and later attended Chicago State University where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with a major in Management. Later he attended Chicago Theological Seminary receiving a Master of Divinity degree; and returned to receive a Doctor of Ministry degree from the same institution. In 2005, he received an Honorary Doctorate from Chicago Theological Seminary for leadership in the community.

He has appeared on television, radio, newspapers, and magazines for his leadership in the communities where he has pastored. He has been cited for his efforts to reduce gun violence by the Chicago Sun-Times, Chicago Tribune, and the Daily Defender.

Dr. Johnson was selected as one of the eight outstanding Chicagoans of the Year in 1998 by CHICAGO magazine. He serves as co-convenor of Clergy for Safer Streets, along with Father Michael Pfleger. Their efforts with others have produced over 16,000 guns being turned in to the city. He has received numerous awards and has been recognized nationally. He was the founding President of the Black Health care Initiative in Rockford years ago where he developed curriculum and a program to promote healthcare and wellness for African Americans.

He is married to Mrs. Sandra Womack-Johnson and they have three children: Walter III, Turquoise, and Zantoria; and grandchildren: LaTiana, Christopher II. Dr. Johnson has a sincere love for all people. He firmly believes in the adage: “……that we are blessed to be a blessing to others. “