Journalists dream of these kind of moments with celebrities like Micheal Jackson, Elizabeth Taylor, Marlon Brando, Brad Pitt, Johnny Depp. 2 hour exclusive with a legend of some sort who's impossible to track down. Well in my world, 2 hours with Pastor Bob Johansson is the equivalent. Not that he is elusive or introvert as the celebrities mentioned. But he is husband, dad, pastor, visionary, builder, and above all, passionate follower of Christ who is regarded as a type of spiritual father over NYC. There are other pastors who lead larger, even more sophisticated houses of worship. But Pastor Bob is unique. He is NYC personified.
Being in his office and seeing his work space only tells you how much he loves NYC and how pumped he is about its prosperity, especially in the area of education. If you're an educator or an
administrator in education, you need to hear this man share his vision. But don't think you're gonna hear some lofty ideas of what schools could be like. That's important. But you're gonna get a balanced talk on what schools were like historically. "Don't tell me where we're going unless you can tell me where we've come from". He can break it down from the 1800's and show you the pivotal moments along the way that have brought him to his convictions today. If we were ever to have another Teacher's Appreciation Gala, he would be my next keynote speaker.
I saw 250 high school students, in uniform, engaged in a midday chapel that looked like a revival. Mixed in those students were internationals that are eventually going to return to their countries (China, India, Middle East) evangelized and now followers of Christ. It blew my mind. Why was I alone on this visit!
And there's more. This man won't stop. He is now dreaming of a 4 story extension on top of the already state of the art building in Long Island City to include an international prayer tower thats constructed of all glass facing NYC, with a cafe! Now you know I'm goin' if there's coffee.
But aside from all of this excitement and plans is a man who loves and loves deeply. His personal mantra? Mercy. He told me of a story in 1967 where a woman came into his office broken, standing with her trembling mother, asking if the church [then a storefront] could help here in her time of need. Pastor Bob said "what are we [the Church] and our theology if we cannot help people in their need?" He said he hardly hears the audible voice of God but on this occasion is what crystal clear. "Mercy", the Spirit whispered. "Mercy".
Pastor Bob is also the most honest person in the world. He tells it like it is. He don't care who you are. He has learned that in this city, you better come correct. There is no hair on his tongue and he has no time to waste with anything that isn't kingdom. He is not easily impressed and most of what he sees in NYC ministry he calls "smoke and mirrors". I love this about him.
Did I mention his ability to rightly divide the word like there was no tomorrow? Did I mention that he has a twin brother [Paul] that is as powerful as he is [a modern day apostle]. Did I mention that he is the funniest person on the planet without trying to be. Did I mention that my wife loves him till it hurts? [that's important]. Did I mention that he loves me? That's my favorite part :-) I didn't mention all of this before because then this is not a blog, but his bio. Now that is something I would not mind writing. I hope someone in his camp is thinking about this. The story must be told and kept alive. I know I will never forget this visit as long as I live. Now to book the next one. Want to come?
