Life Pacific University is honored to announce Rev. Gregg Johnson as the 2025 Entrepreneurial Spirit Alumnus of the Year, recognizing his visionary leadership, innovation, and tireless dedication to fulfilling the Great Commission. His ministry, J12, has transformed how churches reach and disciple “tween” ages—instilling faith at a critical stage of development and equipping the next generation to know Jesus “before they need to be rescued.” The award will be presented at the 2025 Alumni and Friends Luncheon in Denver, CO, on May 28, 2025.

On this occasion, LPU President Dr. Angie Richey ’97 shares: “Gregg Johnson changed a generation, and his impact continues to shape leaders who are living out their calling today—including mine. Summits ’88, ’91, and ’94 were defining encounters that solidified him as a true movement maker—an innovator, a disciple-maker, and a voice that has echoed through decades of Next Gen ministry. His continued passion, creativity, and unwavering commitment to raising up young people for Christ make an indelible mark on the Church and the world. We honor his legacy and celebrate the countless lives transformed through his leadership.”

President Emeritus and former LPU president Dr. Jim J. Adams ’77 agrees: “Perhaps no other person—not employed as staff—has contributed more to recruiting students to Life Bible College (now LPU). Gregg Johnson created and led a movement and culture of youth (as national youth director) in the 1980s and 1990s that has not been seen since. Thousands of youth and youth pastors identified with the Foursquare Church in a vibrant and compelling network to ‘grow for it,’ including historic events such as Summit, district summits, camps, and regional conferences. Gregg’s efforts led to the growth of enrollment at Life as he asked thousands of youth to respond to the call of ministry. Today, he continues to pioneer new ways to disciple the next generation through J12.”

A Life Marked by Calling 

From a young age, Gregg Johnson knew his life would be dedicated to ministry. His journey began at the age of six, when he raised his hand in a Sunday school class to accept Jesus. He still remembers running home, eager to tell his dad the news—interrupting a baseball game on TV to declare that his life had changed.

At 12, he was baptized in the Holy Spirit, a defining moment that deepened his faith. By 14, he sensed an undeniable call to ministry—an experience so profound that his bedroom “became a Bible college.” For two and a half years, he devoted up to two hours a day to prayer, Scripture, and seeking God’s direction. It was during that season that he first became a voice to his peers—sharing his passion for Christ and inspiring others to follow. That calling has never wavered.

From Youth Pastor to Movement Leader 

Gregg’s passion for youth ministry shaped his career from the very beginning. He served as a local youth pastor before stepping into national leadership in 1986, when he was appointed National Youth Director of Foursquare Church USA. Under his leadership, the denomination saw some of the largest youth gatherings in its history.

With Summit ’88, ’91, and ’94, he introduced innovative discipleship movements, calling young people to radical commitment. Grow For It became more than a theme—it was a challenge for students to turn their bedrooms into Bible colleges, just as he had done as a teen. “I love thinking outside the box—creating materials, discipleship tools, and concepts that change people’s hearts and lives,” Johnson shares. “I thank God that Foursquare gave me the privilege of practicing my gift in a body of believers called the Foursquare family.”

J12: Reaching a Generation Before They Need to Be Rescued 

In 2002, Gregg founded J12 (Jesus at Twelve)—a ministry focused on reaching preteens with the gospel before they hit the pressures of adolescence. He was inspired by the only story we have of Jesus at the age of twelve in Luke 2:49, where He declared, “I must be about My Father’s business.”

“Tweens are at a crossroads,” Gregg explains. “They’re old enough to make decisions, but they’re still forming their identity. I saw a gap in how churches were discipling this age group, and I knew I had to do something about it.”

For more than 15 years, J12 has partnered with churches around the world, conducting over 500 J12 Family Weekend Encounters—training parents, pastors, and leaders to disciple preteens effectively. These weekends have taken him across the United States, Canada, Brazil, Sri Lanka, and Mexico, reaching thousands of families with the mission to “Reaching a Generation Before They Need to be Rescued.” Gregg has also expanded his outreach through social media, continuing to inspire and equip young people and their leaders with creative, faith-building resources. His latest initiative, GODWORDART, combines Scripture with artistic expression to engage the next generation in a fresh and compelling way.

Faith, Family, and the Future 

Gregg’s ministry is deeply personal, not just professional. His two children, Gabrielle (16) and Judah (14), share his heart for serving the Lord. Gabrielle is actively involved in worship ministry, while Judah serves in children’s ministry—continuing the family’s legacy of faith.

This past year brought unexpected loss with the passing of their mother in April 2024. Now a single father, Gregg is grateful for the unwavering support of his mother, who plays a vital role in helping raise his children.

“Life doesn’t always go the way we plan, but God is always faithful. Ministry isn’t just about what happens on a stage—it’s about living out faith every day, in every moment, in every season,” he shares.

A Legacy of Impact 

Gregg Johnson’s entrepreneurial spirit has shaped generations of young believers—calling them to bold faith, biblical literacy, and lifelong discipleship. Whether leading youth movements, pioneering new ministries, or creating resources, his influence has been far-reaching.

Yet for Gregg, the most important measure of success isn’t numbers or events—it’s obedience to the call he received at 14 years old. “Then there are those whose calling requires them to minister to a certain age group for the rest of their lives. That would be me. At 14, God made it clear that my calling was to young people, and He put a period at the end of that commission—not a comma.”

Join Us in Celebration 

Life Pacific University invites you to celebrate Rev. Gregg Johnson at the 2025 Alumni and Friends Luncheon on May 28, 2025, in Denver, Colorado.

For more information or to RSVP, visit lifepacific.edu/events/lpu-alumni-friends-luncheon.