On July 6, 2025, the General Conference nominating committee selected its first Bahamian to serve as General Vice President of the General Conference. Pastor Leonard Johnson was among the seven individuals who were elected to serve as general vice presidents for the global church.

Since 2016, Johnson served as the executive secretary of the Inter-American Division for seven years. He also served as the first president of the Atlantic Caribbean Union upon its formation and president of the South Bahamas Conference. 

“As a Bahamian, this position is really humbling…I cannot help but think about my early beginnings in The Bahamas.” Johnson said.

Johnson, who joined the Adventist church in 1976, has over 40 years in ministry and leadership in The Bahamas and the Inter-American Division.

“I started this journey as a pastor, but even before that, as a colporteur,” Johnson shared. “It helped me to relate to people and overcome challenges.”

During his time in The Bahamas, Johnson served as a pastor for various local churches and held several director positions, including education, youth, and spirit of prophecy.

Johnson also served as the executive secretary of the Bahamas Conference. 

Although he has served the church on many levels, Johnson remains steadfast on depending on God at every step.

“Although these roles prepared me for this moment… I’m still being prepared,” he said. “It makes me even more dependent on God. In this capacity, I get the opportunity to represent not just the Bahamas, but the Inter-American Division.”

Johnson also commended his wife, Denise Johnson, for her support over the years.
“My wife has been very integral because at every assignment, she has supported me. That helped to make my ministry much more enjoyable.”

Bahamian President of the Senate, the Honourable J. LaShell Adderley, also reflected on Johnson’s journey in the church. 

She said, “I am a member of the Johnson Park Seventh-day Adventist Church, and it is this church where Pastor Johnson first came into the church.”

“He stood out as a man of God who was committed and dedicated to Christ and His mission. And so, as a result of that, I am just excited about what God has done for him,” Adderley added.

According to Adderley, Johnson’s appointment holds significant meaning to the Bahamian Diaspora.

“As a Bahamian. It's even more meaningful that Pastor Johnson has ascended to such a high rank because this is historical for us. We have not had a Bahamian who has ascended to the heights of General Conference,” She shared.

“I'm elated that our small country is doing exceptionally big things on the global stage [and]  Iknow that God is with him.”

Although newly appointed, Johnson has already commenced his duties as a general vice president.

“I had to chair a caucus for one of the divisions, and that has been a wonderful experience.”

As general Vice-Presidents, we work closely with the president of the General Conference. As the person representing him, we will be those individuals to go into different parts of the world representing the president,” he added.

Although he is currently serving in the highest body of the Seventh-day Adventist church, Johnson shared the most important part of ministry if serving to the best of one’s abilities for God.

“Wherever you are called upon to serve, give it the best that you can,” Johnson advised. 

“What is important is that you want to recognize that God has called you into ministry, and because you have been called by God, your first obligation is to God.”

“When we make faithfulness to God our objective.. that is true success.”