History
To God be the glory, great things He has done.
THE SEEKER
During the late 1960s, Jeff Johnson was a surfing, opium-smoking hippie, following drug guru Timothy Leary and living on the North Shore of the Hawaiian island of Oahu. Caught in the turmoil of the 60s as an adolescent, he attempted to fill the inner void and restlessness he felt with drugs, sex, parties, and surfing. Searching for the clear light—the truth—he studied under Paramahansa Yogananda, founder of the Self-Realization Fellowship. He also dabbled in various Eastern philosophies and practices, including: Buddhism, Hinduism, Hare Krishna, meditation and yoga.
His search even led him to try hypnosis as well as numerous types of illegal drugs. In this “Age of Aquarius,” this time of peace and love, Jeff’s drug and alcohol use progressed from marijuana to barbiturates and amphetamines; LSD, peyote, and opium soon followed. What he wanted was to know truth. What he got was a drug habit that couldn’t be satisfied, police arrests, broken relationships, a son given up for adoption, emptiness, and disillusionment. Sensing that there must be something more to why we’re here, he continued his search until he found the inner peace and sense of destiny he longed for, followed by success beyond his imagination. His walk with Jesus began.
“The emphasis within his ministry is a verse by verse study of the Word of God, giving its full counsel.”
Pastor Jeff Johnson and Calvary Chapel Downey
In May of 1973, Jeff Johnson became part of what was to become Calvary Chapel of Downey. Its beginning was in the unlikely location of Furman Park. By May of 1978, only five years after his start of a small fellowship, the Lord blessed Jeff with a fantastic facility as big as six football fields.
46 years later, with Jeff and Karyn Johnson now healthy and grounded in their marriage, the once small group of a few hundred has grown to a main sanctuary that holds thousands and offers many wonderful support ministries such as the Sound Doctrine Radio Ministry, Mission Outreaches, Christian Schools– preschool through 12th grade, and a Bible college.
As the founding pastor of Calvary Chapel Downey, Pastor Jeff has been involved in the ministry as a Pastor/Teacher and Bible Expositor. The emphasis within his ministry is a verse by verse study of the Word of God, giving its full counsel. His studies pay particular attention to the practical application, contemporary examples, and incorporation of the Word into our daily lives. As a result, his studies are extremely interesting, informative, and spiritually challenging. His influence has experienced a steady and substantial growth over the years with people of all ages.
Calvary Chapel Downey’s impact is growing from Southern California to virtually around the world.
Jeff is supported in his ministry by his wife Karyn. They both are currently serving the Lord along with their family at Gihon Springs, a new venture of faith.
