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Reverend Jamal T. Johnson
Rev. Jamal T. Johnson was born on December 26, 1979 in Newark, New Jersey. He is the eldest of six children, born to Larry and Denise Johnson. Rev. Johnson was educated in the East Orange Public School system, having attended Elmwood Elementary School, Vernon L. Davey Middle School, and graduated from East Orange High School in 1997.
In 2001, Rev. Johnson received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education with a Concentration in Sociology from the College of New Jersey in Ewing, New Jersey. He has also completed coursework in Counselor Education. Professionally he has been employed by both the East Orange and Plainfield Public Schools and is currently the Associate Director for Mentoring, Retention, and Success Programs at The College of New Jersey.
Rev. Johnson loves giving back to his community and has been recognized with several awards. He regularly delivers commencement and motivational messages at schools, participates in career days, conducts college-related and career-readiness workshops at high schools, mentors and advises present and former students, and coaches and cheers for all those he encounters. He has served on advisory committees for the Essex County Vocational Schools, West Caldwell campus and the Dr. E. Alma Flagg School.
Rev. Johnson accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and personal savior, and was baptized as a teenager. He was licensed to preach the Gospel by his home church on February 26, 2006 and ordained on November 13, 2011. For nine years, Rev. Johnson served faithfully as Worship Leader and Assistant to the Pastor at Mount Sinai Baptist Church in Newark, New Jersey, under the leadership of Pastor Marion Phillips III. In that capacity, he assisted in the leadership of the Ministry Team, Youth Ministry, Scholarship Committee,Christian Education Ministry, and taught Bible Study and Men’s Ministry classes.
In all he does, Rev Johnson is mindful of his life’s calling, and has a genuine desire to serve others. He serves God, his family and his community with the purpose of offering others a sense of inspiration, faith, and self-motivation to succeed beyond expectation.
On May 29, 2016, Rev. Johnson accepted the call to lead the Zion Baptist Church of Jersey City, New Jersey. He was installed as the church’s 11th Pastor on October 9, 2016. Rev. Johnson has reignited ministries and passion for the word of God. Zion has engaged in community outreach and partnered with community agencies to fulfill the great commission. Rev. Johnson joined the board of the Power of Gospel Ministries to assist in a greater work in the kingdom through service. Zion continues to grow in faith, ministry, and discipleship. Rev. Johnson believes that everyone has a role to play in building God’s kingdom and is excited about what God has in store as Zion moves forward. In January 2021 Rev. Johnson appointed the first Executive Director for the Zion Cares CDC. Zion Cares has been tasked with meeting the needs and engaging with the community where the church is located.
Currently Rev. Johnson is enrolled at the New Brunswick Theological Seminary in New Brunswick, NJ pursuing a Masters in Theological Studies.
In his spare time, Rev. Johnson enjoys all types of sports (from little league to professional and all those in between), motivational speaking, and nonfiction reading (especially the writings and sermons of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.).
Rev. Johnson resides in Old Bridge, New Jersey. He is married to the former Shatema Paschal, and together, they have two brilliant and beautiful daughters.
“For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for I am under compulsion; for woe is me if I do not preach the gospel.” Corinthians 9:16
