New Senior Pastor Takes Helm At Renowned Baptist Church
Abyssinian Baptist Church, a historic black Baptist congregation in New York City with over two centuries of history, has named Rev. Kevin R. Johnson of Dare to Imagine Church in Philadelphia as its next senior pastor, filling the vacancy left by the late Rev. Calvin O. Butts III after a contentious selection process.
In a statement to The Christian Post, the church announced that Johnson will assume his new role in mid-July. LaToya Evans, spokesperson for Abyssinian Baptist Church, emphasized that Johnson was selected after a rigorous and extensive search process focused on integrity, fairness, faith, and inclusivity. The church expressed confidence that Johnson, known for his leadership at Dare to Imagine Church, will uphold Abyssinian’s mission as its 21st pastor while honoring its esteemed legacy.
Reacting to his appointment, Johnson expressed gratitude and humility, describing the role as a sacred responsibility that fills him and his family with joy. He highlighted Abyssinian as more than a church, calling it their spiritual home, and expressed dedication to building upon its rich heritage. Johnson aims to advance God’s kingdom, serve the community, impact the world, and guide Abyssinian into its next chapter.
Johnson, alongside his wife Kimya, who serves as vice president of Abyssinian’s board of directors and is a corporate attorney, founded Dare to Imagine Church, Inc. in 2014 with a small group in their living room. Over the years, the congregation has grown significantly under his leadership to over 1,500 members. Johnson also leads the Dare to Imagine Community Development Corporation and is a distinguished graduate of Morehouse College, Columbia University, and Union Theological Seminary.
The selection of Johnson comes after Abyssinian Baptist Church faced legal challenges earlier in the year when Rev. Eboni Marshall Turman, a Yale Divinity School professor and former pastor at Abyssinian, filed a lawsuit alleging gender discrimination after not being named a finalist for the senior pastor position. The church affirmed that over 40 candidates, including individuals from diverse backgrounds in terms of age, gender, and sexual orientation, were considered for the role, each meeting rigorous criteria of leadership and theological education.
The appointment of Rev. Kevin R. Johnson marks a significant transition for Abyssinian Baptist Church as it looks towards the future while honoring its storied past under new leadership.