+History
God called Bishop Richard L. Johnson to the preaching ministry in his teenage years, while serving at his home church in East Orange, New Jersey. He was summoned to El Paso by military draft in 1965, where he met and married Pastor Clayton Carr’s youngest daughter, Adele Yvonne Carr on January 13, 1968. On numerous occasions he expressed to his wife that he didn’t know when, and he didn’t know where, but he knew he was called to pastor.
As Jacob served his wife’s father, Laban, (Genesis Chapter 29) Pastor Johnson served his father-in-law, as organist, minister of music, assistant Sunday School Superintendent and an assistant until the word of God came for his change. He faithfully rendered nineteen years of service in that ministry as God birthed the vision of Christ Cathedral in him. In January of 1988, after fasting and praying, the Lord confirmed to him that the time was now and El Paso was the place.
The birth of Christ Cathedral New Life Worship Center took place February 18, 1988 in the living room of Pastor Johnson’s home, with five members: Richard L. Johnson, his wife, and three children! The church quickly outgrew the home and moved to the Vista Del Sol Conference Center, located on the East side at 11189 Rojas in East El Paso on April 3, 1988. However preparing the facility for worship was cumbersome, requiring set up and removal of church seating for each service. It was a time of rejoicing and relief when, on the first Sunday in January of 1989, God opened the doors to a more permanent facility in a shopping strip in Northeast El Paso at 9477 Dyer. God filled this storefront church with souls hungry for the word of God; some services had standing room only. Faithful to meet every need; the Lord divinely orchestrated the purchase of 9615 Dyer Street on August 12, 1993. Our ministry and current church home falls nothing short of an epiphany – a manifestation of God!
CCNLWC began as an affiliate of the 15th Episcopal District of the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World, Inc., after receiving unanimous approval from the executive board of the Mountain States Council. He was ordained in its National Conference in New Orleans on August 7, 1991 by Bishop James A. Johnson. However, under divine guidance, the church board of directors unanimously elected independent non-denominational status at the annual business session on December 30, 1995. Destiny Family Christian Center formerly Christ Cathedral is now under the accountability covering of Bishop T.D. Jakes; as Pastor Johnson is a member of The Potter’s House International Pastor’s Alliance. Pastor Johnson’s ordination was re-affirmed in Dallas, Texas on October 12, 2002 by Bishop T.D. Jakes, when Co-pastor Adele Y. Johnson was ordained.
Destiny Family Christian Center will continue to strive to serve God in the spirit of excellence, as found in Daniel 6:3.
