mike johnson

When Christians Serve, the Media Often Suspects the Worst

According to a former lobbyist quoted in Tuesday’s Washington Post, we should all be uneasy about Kelly Johnson, Speaker Mike Johnson’s wife, ministering to female staffers on Capitol Hill.

Kelly Johnson, who is a Christian counselor and in 2019 founded a non-profit ministry called “Onward Christian Education Services,” is the subject of a hit piece in The Post daily.

Meredith McGehee, who is identified as a former lobbyist for groups focused on “campaign finance transparency and anti-corruption measures in government,” alludes to a potential conflict. 

“It should make everyone uncomfortable that the speaker’s wife would be raising money for a mission to serve congressional staff,” she tells the Post. “It really dances on the blurred line of separation of church and state and using public resources for private interests.”

What “public resources” is McGehee claiming Mrs. Johnson is using? Neither the former lobbyist nor the Post explain other than to say her “close connection to the speaker’s office could benefit the nonprofit.”

Could.

By this logic, any individual close to any political leader with any authority whatsoever should be ineligible to do just about anything unless the activity passes muster with the liberal media establishment.

Originally founded “to help educate, equip, and empower believers to understand and live out their biblical faith and to engage the culture,” the ministry expanded in recent years.  According to the group’s most recent IRS filing, Onward Christian Education Services developed “a new ministry outreach and Bible study designed specifically for the hundreds of unreached young women across the country who are employed as staffers on and around Capitol Hill to help them find purpose, belonging, and Christian community.”

Recent studies have found that Americans are increasingly struggling to find connection and purpose. In June, Gallup reported close to half of those questioned said their lives lacked a sense of meaning, purpose – or both. These were national polls, but the need is only magnified for those living and working in the political environment of Washington, D.C. 

As a Christian, Kelly Johnson said she considers herself “a missionary” and that reaching out to female staffers is “kind of a calling in this life for me.” She also said, “This is what I love to do. This is my heart.”

According to the speaker’s wife, Onward Christian Education Services is funded by “several large benefactors.” She suggests they give to it because they have a heart for the ministerial assistance the group provides.

Although the group is not legally obligated to do so, The Washington Post expresses frustration that it won’t disclose the names of the benefactors.

In a statement to the Post, Speaker Johnson praised the faithfulness and motivation of his wife. He stated, “She has a true gift with people and has inspired many other women to live out their faith, overcome their obstacles, and find peace and success, even in an environment as challenging as Capitol Hill.”

The insinuation to nefarious or unethical motivations in the Post piece reflects the typical suspicion, skepticism, and general negativity of mainstream reporters who often seem incapable of or unwilling to accept Christians behaving like Christians. In a hyper cynical climate like the Beltway, many find it impossible to believe that a Christian woman would be led to help other women without some ulterior incentive.

The Apostle Paul reminded believers in Colossae, which is modern-day Turkey, that “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ” (Col. 3:23-24). 

We applaud and celebrate the work and ministry of Kelly Johnson and other individuals who are faithfully answering the Lord’s call on their lives to serve others in His name.

Speaker Mike Johnson Helps Kick Off ‘America Reads the Bible’ in D.C.

Close to 500 people, individuals ranging from President Donald Trump and Speaker Mike Johnson to government leaders and everyday citizens, are delving into God’s Word this week as part of “America Reads the Bible” – a nationwide movement spearheaded by the non-profit organization “Christians Engaged.”

Focus on the Family’s Tim Goeglein will also be participating. 

The prelude to the historic event began on Saturday night at Washington, D.C.’s National Community Church. Coinciding with the celebration of America’s 250th birthday this coming July, the kickoff event featured teaching from historian David Barton and corporate worship led by Leeland Mooring. Actresses Candace Cameron Bure and Patricia Heaton, along with Hollywood producers Cameron and BJ Arnett, also addressed those gathered.

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, who helped kick things off on Sunday morning at the Museum of the Bible by reading from Genesis, also spoke on Saturday evening. During his remarks, he shared a personal testimony of how his fireman father’s tragic injury back when he was a boy compelled him to turn to God in desperation.

“My father was burned so badly and so severely, he was permanently disabled in the fire, but at the time, he had a 5% chance to live,” Johnson recalled. “When I was age 12, I got down on my face before the Lord, and I pleaded for the life of my father. He spared my father’s life, and he went on to live another 30-plus years.”

Speaker Johnson, a strong Christian who regularly invokes God’s Word in speeches and interviews, suggests the Lord used that trauma in a redeeming and personal way. 

“That event, that moment in my life, made the promises of Scripture so true,” he said. “I actually saw a miracle. It’s a long story. There’s actually a book written about this experience with my father. It was a miraculous set of circumstances, and God answered our prayers. And to me, from the time I was 12 years old, I knew that God’s Word is flawless and true, that these are real promises, that we can rely upon it.”

President Trump is also participating. His portion will be airing on Tuesday evening between 6 and 7 p.m. ET. Last week, from the Oval Office, he read from 2 Chronicles 7:11-22, which includes the familiar verse:

… if my people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from Heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. 

In a statement released prior to Saturday night’s festivities, President Trump noted and affirmed the foundational underpinnings of Scripture in America’s founding.

“In every generation, through every trial and triumph, God’s Word has guided our people and our country to incredible new heights,” the 45th and 47th president stated.  During the first inauguration, George Washington, setting a precedent for all future Presidents, put his left hand on the Bible and took the oath of office, after which he kissed the Bible.”

He then added:  

“Of the many influences that have shaped the United States of America into a distinctive Nation and people, none may be said to be more fundamental and enduring than the Bible.”

Other members of the Trump administration expected to read from the Old and New Testaments includes Secretary of State Marco Rubio, HUD Secretary Scott Turner, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, and White House chief of staff, Susie Wiles. 

You don’t have to be in Washington, D.C., to participate. The marathon Bible reading can be streamed in real time via the Pure Flix app from Great American Media.

Critics and skeptics have tried to diminish “America Reads the Bible” by labeling it performative and simply a public relations stunt in an election year. To be sure, God is not mocked (Galatians 6:7), and anytime His Word is read aloud in public is a very good thing and a wonderful opportunity for hearts and minds to be transformed by the sheer power of its sound.

Please join us in praying for this outreach.