“Would to God that an American president could stand before the American people today and say, ‘Our problems are merely economic, and they can be solved,'” said Land, president of the Southern Baptist Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission, during chapel at Southwestern Oct. LAND CALLS FOR PRAYER & PARTICIPATION - With the approach of the 2010 midterm elections, Richard Land reminded students and faculty members at Southwestern Seminary that the United States faces problems that transcend economics or politics. Criswell, longtime pastor of First Baptist Church in Dallas. The college was founded 40 years ago by W.A. Earlier in his ministry, Johnson pastored two Colorado churches and one in Texas. Within six months of his resignation from Criswell, he was selected to join Midwestern’s administration and faculty. from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Ky., majoring in Christian ethics.Īfter serving as a trustee at Southern Seminary from 1989-98, with the last two years as chairman, Johnson joined the staff, serving as assistant director of development from 1999-2001 instructor in Christian ethics at Boyce College from 2001-02 and dean of the college and assistant professor of Christian ethics from 2002-04 prior to his tenure as Criswell College’s president. Since he provided excellent leadership for the college before, we are confident the improved circumstances will more than enable him to do so again.”Ī native of Malakoff, Texas, Johnson holds a B.A. “The college labored under external authority then but is now independent. Washburn explained that the dynamics of Criswell College’s governance had changed dramatically since Johnson resigned his presidency in 2008. “He will have an immediate and positive impact on the short term, and his vision for the college will reap great benefits for the long term.” Johnson is aware of the special challenges facing the college,” Pritchard stated. “Having previously served as president, Dr. Pritchard expressed confidence that the board would affirm the recommendation. 21 after two years of interim leadership at the school. Johnson, who led the college from 2004-08, currently is at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas City, Mo., serving as vice president for academic development, dean of the faculty and professor of ethics and theology.Ĭriswell College’s presidential search committee chaired by Steve Washburn of Pflugerville, Texas, announced the unanimous recommendation of Johnson Oct. “He is eminently qualified, specifically prepared and joyfully welcomed to the presidency of Criswell College,” board chairman Jimmy Pritchard of Forney, Texas, told the Southern Baptist TEXAN, newsjournal of the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention. 5 to consider the recommendation of Jerry Johnson to return as president of the Dallas-based college. DALLAS (BP)–Criswell College trustees will meet Nov.