A third-generation educator, F. Willis Johnson is a spiritual entrepreneur and an elder in the West Ohio Conference of the United Methodist Church. Johnson previously served as senior minister of Living Tree Church in Columbus and Wellspring Church in Ferguson,  Missouri, both urban parachute church plants. His prophetic, faith-filled reflections and strategies on social justice and racial understanding influenced thousands. 

Johnson's leadership and strategies around social and racial justice issues are widely respected. Recognized as a scholar-practitioner, Johnson authored Holding Up Your  Corner: Talking About Race in Your Community. Additionally, he has published works across various media. For example, The Abingdon Preaching Annual 2018 and 2019,  Preaching Black Lives (Matter), I'm Black. I'm Christian. I'm Methodist., Submissions to the Dean: Gardner C. Taylor anthologies, USA Today and TIME Magazine. Johnson is a sought-after thought leader and facilitator who empowers individuals and communities toward prophetic response— equity, justice, and transformation.

With more than 20 years of professional ministry experience in Indiana, North Carolina,  Missouri, and Ohio, Johnson's skills extend far beyond the pulpit. Trained in education and nonprofit management, he serves in volunteer and paid leadership positions for multiple nonprofit organizations. He counsels ecclesial leaders, annual conferences,  churches, and nonprofits nationwide.