BIO of Elder Thomas E. and Evangelist Esther M. Johnson

Elder Thomas E. and Evangelist Esther M. Johnson are currently members of the Liberty Temple International Network under the leadership of Apostle Clifford E. Turner, PhD and Senior Pastor Sheraine Lathon, PhD. The network currently consists of six (6) churches in locations that include Chicago, IL; Waukegan, IL; San Diego, CA; Orlando, FL; Philadelphia, PA; and Bolingbrook, IL.

Elder Thomas and Evangelist Esther joined Liberty Temple in 1990, and have served in numerous ministries. Some of these ministries are as follows:

Elder Thomas first enrolled in Liberty Temple’s Logos Ministerial Training Institute and after graduating was ordained as a licensed Evangelist. As an Evangelist he served in the Media Department, as a Sunday School Teacher, as a Logos Ministerial Teacher/Instructor, and in 1994 he became a member of the Prison Ministry Team. After serving on the Prison Team for approximately 3 years, he was asked to serve as the Director.

Evangelist Esther also enrolled in Liberty Temple’s Ministerial Training Institute and after graduating was ordained as a licensed Evangelist. As an Evangelist she served as a Sunday School Teacher, as an ordained/licensed Prophetess of the Company of the Prophets, and in 1995 she became a member of the Prison Ministry Team.

After 1997 Elder Thomas and Evangelist Esther were introduced to the ministry of Prison Fellowship/Chuck Colson, Founder. After completing the VIP Training they received certification allowing them to become Volunteer In-Prison Ministers which allows volunteer entry into all State Prison facilities. Then after seeing the need for more prison ministry volunteers, they trained and became certified as VIP Instructors giving them the ability to train, equip, organize and/or host/sponsor VIP Trainings for other Churches, Ministries, Organizations, etc. to become Volunteer In-Prison ministers.

In 2008, Thomas was ordained Elder and appointed Elder of Liberty’s Prison Ministry and Evangelist Esther serves as Director. The Prison Ministry currently serves at six (6) Correctional Facilities: Logan Correctional Center (men’s facility) and Lincoln Correctional Center (women’s facility) are both located in Lincoln, Illinois. We conduct two church services at each of these facilities and attendance is generally 150 – 200 at each service. During our alter calls we experience great numbers of salvations, rededications, numerous healings such as cancers, hiv, hepatitis, etc., deliverances, family reconciliations, infilling of the holy spirit and more.

At Pontiac Correctional Center (men’s facility) located in Pontiac, Illinois we conduct a Going for the Goal service in the Farm area, which is for men that are preparing for release. This service prepares them by teaching them to set and write goals, and to develop plans to reach their goals. We also conduct Church service within the protective custody unit of Pontiac.

Crossroads Adult Transitional Center (ATC), North Lawndale (ATC) and Illinois Youth Facility (IYC) are all male facilities, located in Chicago, Illinois with the youth ranging from ages 13 – 21 years. We conduct Church services at each of these facilities and Bible study at Crossroads ATC every Thursday from 7 – 8:30 p.m. Crossroads ATC and North Lawndale ATC are facilities that are owned and operated by the Safer Foundation.

As a result of prayer requests from inmates and Going for the Goal participants for places to transition to after release, Road to Liberty, NFP was birthed.