Mark Johnson was raised in Minnetonka, a western suburb of Minneapolis. His family moved to the small town of Winsted (about 60 miles south of St. Cloud) when Mark was going into tenth grade. Mark went to High School in Lester Prairie being Winsted only had a Catholic High School. In High School, Mark was involved in band, football, cross-country, running, and wrestling (which was his best sport).

After graduating from High School, Mark moved to St. Cloud to attend Business College. Shortly after arriving in St. Cloud, Mark met Becky at First Assembly of God, and had an experience where God called him into pastoral ministry. Mark and Becky were married in November of 1977. Becky grew up in St. Cloud, and came from a very large family (three sisters and twelve brothers).

Mark immediately begin pursuing his ministerial credentials by taking correspondence courses from Berean School of the Bible (now Global University), and was licensed with the Assemblies of God in 1981, and ordained in 1984. Mark and Becky youth pastored in Cokato (MN) from 1878 to 1981, and in Monticello (MN) from 1981 to 1982. Next Mark and Becky became senior pastors in Cokato from 1982 to 1987. Mark & Becky pastored a home missions church near St. Louis (MO) from 1987 to 1990, and then pastored the church in Cokato again from 1990 to 1993.

Mark & Becky moved to St. Cloud to pastor Good News Assembly of God in 1993, and pastored the church until 1998. In March of 1998 Mark and Becky started Jubilee Worship Center in St. Cloud, and became credentialed shortly thereafter with Christian International.

Mark and Becky have three adult children (Kristy, Matthew and Katie), and four grandchildren (Bailey, Kylie, Aubrey and Zander).

Mark enjoys spending time with his family, hunting, fishing, running and reading. Becky enjoys spending time with her family (especially the grandkids), traveling, decorating and cooking.

Get to Know Mark Johnson

What's your favorite memory of JMC thus far? Experiencing the reaction and interaction of the students to sign marking the discovery of a dead baby girl. Her destiny went unfulfilled because of premature death, but may we not experience a similar result by living a long life and still not fulfill our destiny!
What is your quest? To qualify for the Boston Marathon

What's your favorite:
Board game? Chess
Food and why? Pizza, because it gets along well with my taste buds
Waffles or pancakes? Pancakes
Chocolate or vanilla? Chocolate of course
Buttered, plain or salted popcorn? Buttered and salted, and lots of it

Can you juggle? I don't know
Can you touch you nose with your tongue? Only if I scrunch my nose down with my finger first
Can you drive a manual? Yep, took my drivers test with one
Would you go skydiving? Definitely - my other quest
Do you play an instrument, if so which one(s)? yes - sax and a little (very little) guitar, drums and harmonica
What languages do you speak? English and tongues

Get to Know Becky Johnson

Other than salvation, what's one of the greatest pieces of advice you could give to someone? Be a forerunner, plowing the way for those who are coming behind you - and do it well. The things that you endeavor to risk - pursue them with all your heart, with Godly integrity and with perseverence.
What's your favorite memory of JMC thus far? My favorite memory is having my classes in my living room, drinking hot chocolate (loads of whip cream on top) and discussing our sweet Jesus and His Word.
What is your quest? My quest is to leave a legacy for my children and their children. To be one who risked it all for Christ, one who carried my mantle and my call with all excellence and integrity.
What is the air speed velocity of a swallow? Are you talking swallow like a bird or swallow like I swallowed my food? I have no clue the air speed velocity of either one!
What would you hate to be trapped in a room with? I would not want to be trapped in a room with a skunk!
What's your most over-used phrase? My most overused phrase is "Oh my goodness!"
What are your thoughts when you first wake up? Usually I am thinking about what I just dreamed.
If you were a crayon, what color would you be and why? I would be red - red is a color that catches your eye no matter where it is placed, it is a color that signifies His blood and fire - I LOVE red!
If you were a car, what would you be and why? don't know much about cars, but it would have to have class and be fast! Classy to match how I dress and fast to match my attitude.
When was the last time you were on a plane and where were you traveling from/to? The last time I was on a plane was Sunday, December 2nd and I was coming home from our son's wedding in Monterrey, Mexico.
In one word describe yourself. One word... "Classy"

What's your favorite:
Book besides the Bible? "Understanding the dreams you dream" by Ira Mulligan
Season and why? Spring - because you can feel in the air new life coming. Because it is the time when flowers come alive - the smell of spring is one that just can't be reproduced. It's a time to start hanging clothes on the line again, going for walks, and feeling the sun warm on your face after a long winter. Spring is a time for refreshment, a time for rain and a time for beginning new adventures.
Smell? Fresh herbs like rosemary, lemon thyme, lavender, etc...
Thing to get at Caribou? I don't do Caribou very much, really dislike coffee, but if I do go there I would order tea.
Movie? My favorite movie is an old black and white called "One Foot In Heaven." It is about a minister and his wife, it depicts the life of being in ministry.
Food and why? Chocolate - because it is so soothing, yummy, and it's a vegetable...
Board game? Scrabble
TV show? 24 - without a doubt!

Waffles or pancakes? Waffles
Chocolate or vanilla? Chocolate
Buttered, plain or salted popcorn? Buttered & salted
Do you like cold or hot weather better? Hot

Can you juggle? yes
Can you touch you nose with your tongue? no
Can you drive a manual? no
Would you go skydiving? no
Do you play an instrument, if so which one(s)? Yes, keyboard and a little guitar
What languages do you speak? English, a little Spanish, some ASL (American Sign Language)