Retirement plans postponed, Johnson to join Gateway administration

David Johnson, executive director of the Arizona Mission Network of Southern Baptists, announced earlier this year his plan to retire, but retirement will have to wait.

At their spring board meeting May 5-6 in Ontario, California, Gateway Seminary trustees approved Johnson as director of the doctor of ministry program and professor of leadership formation. He will start the new position in fall 2025.

Johnson previously served as director of Gateway’s Arizona Campus before becoming AZMN executive director, and he has often taught as an adjunct since leaving the Gateway post.

“I had been planning my retirement for some time and knew I would make the announcement at our Convention Council meeting in March, but I did not anticipate going to work for the seminary,” Johnson said. “I always thought I would teach for the seminary in my retirement, but did not think I would be serving in this capacity with the doctor of ministry program.”

The opportunity came as a surprise, he said.

“When Gateway President Dr. Adam Groza approached me earlier this spring to ask if I would consider serving as the director for the program, it was unexpected and began a journey for Diana and me to consider if this is what the Lord wanted me to do,” he said. “I took the process one step at a time before finally reaching the conclusion that this is where the Lord was leading. The trustee vote this past week was the final step affirming this decision.”

Why was he willing to change his retirement plans for this opportunity?

“I want to invest in the next generation of leaders in my last few years of active ministry leadership,” he said. “I feel this is a positive way to make a contribution to the future of our work and our churches. I will also still be able to teach classes at the Arizona Campus, so I feel like I will get the best of both worlds.”

When Johnson first announced his intention to retire, he told the Convention Council he planned to continue to serve as executive director until the election of his successor. That plan has not changed, he said.

“I plan to continue to serve as executive director until my successor is named and elected,” he said. “The seminary is aware of this process and is willing to work with me on the timing of the transition. While I am grateful for the opportunity to serve at the seminary, my goal is still to finish well serving the Arizona Mission Network and to be a good steward of the leadership responsibility that our churches and the Lord have entrusted to me.”

Johnson’s new role will not require a move out of state.

“The good news is that I will be able to work from the office at the Arizona Campus of Gateway and travel to the campus in Ontario for meetings and administration as needed,” he said. “That is good news since our children and grandchildren live close to us here.”

Tyler Sanders, director of communications for Gateway Seminary, contributed to this story.