American Indian College
Michael Johnson
God’s will is everything

Navajo, N.M., lies within the Navajo Nation about 40 miles northwest of Gallup. Michael Johnson grew up there in a Navajo family of five children.

“My childhood wasn’t easy,” he says. “I was in boarding school, so I spent a lot of time away from my family. I struggled for several years with drug abuse. I was unhappy and always arguing.”

All that changed when Johnson accepted Christ as his Savior at 16. His newfound relationship with God completely redirected his life.

“God’s will is the most important thing in life,” he says. “It leads in everything. It’s promising, it’s safe, it’s right and biblical. That’s my focus, to always get a better grasp of God’s will.”

Johnson is pursuing a Christian ministry major as a sophomore at American Indian College in Phoenix. Studying among fellow Native Americans from some 20 tribes has expanded his horizons.

Friendships at AIC with students and professors are strengthening Johnson’s walk with God. He looks forward to graduating and pursuing a pastoral ministry.

“I don’t have all the details in place,” he admits. “When I get out I’ll focus on being a youth pastor, then associate pastor and senior pastor as God leads.”

He keeps his family heritage close at heart and hopes to impact Native American communities with the gospel. The key to that outreach, he says, is relationship evangelism.

“Consistency is the greatest need,” he explains. “You have to be consistent in sharing the gospel, in following up and staying in touch. You can’t just bring in a ministry team and have some activities.”

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