A third-generation educator, Rev. Dr. F. Willis Johnson is a spiritual entrepreneur, Senior Minister of Christ Church – Columbus, and adjunct faculty at Methodist Theological School of Ohio. Johnson earned national prominence as a civic leader and senior minister of Wellspring Church in Ferguson, Missouri.
Rev. Dr. Johnson is respected for his leadership and strategies on social and racial justice issues. Recognized as a scholar-practitioner, Johnson authored Holding Up Your Corner: Talking About Race in Your Community and is a sought-after thought leader who empowers individuals and communities to respond prophetically—healing, justice, and reconciliation.
Rev. Dr. Johnson’s leadership roles are as diverse as his skills. With a wealth of experience spanning more than 20 years and multiple states, his expertise extends far beyond the pulpit. His training in education and nonprofit management has seen him serve in volunteer and paid leadership positions for numerous nonprofit organizations.
He counsels bishops, General Board agencies, annual conferences, and local churches nationwide. In 2017, Johnson was the Vosburgh Visiting Professor of Ministry and Social Engagement at Drew University’s Theological School.
Johnson’s commitment to social and racial justice is unwavering and highly relevant to our nation’s current upheaval. His work continues to prepare prophetic leaders and promote healing, justice, and transformation through his leadership of diverse organizations and initiatives.
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As one of the initial driving forces behind the Bridge Alliance and as chairman of the board, David Nevins brings business acumen, vision and a tireless this-must-and-can-be-done zeal to the burgeoning movement to bridge divides to transform the political process.
As a business leader, Nevins excels at building bridges between people and organizations from the right, left and center for civilized conversation and then action.
He co-founded the Bridge Alliance because, as he says, “No matter how well managed and how well funded any one organization is, significant political reform will not happen without an alliance to further collaborative interactions. Together we can and will raise the collective impact of all.”
Nevins is also co-publisher of The Fulcrum, a daily new publication committed to protecting democracy by educating the public on issues that matter. The Fulcrum is a key piece of a larger strategy to build a pro-democracy constituency of millions of Americans by making it easier to find and act on civic engagement opportunities. The Bridge Alliance, The Fulcrum, and Citizen Connect are all interconnected in their support of the ecosystem of our community of pro-democracy organizations and concerned and engaged citizens.
He established and continues to work with The Nevins Fellow program at The Mccourtney Institute of Democracy at Penn State University. The Nevins Fellows program allows students to complete internships at organizations that bring people together to solve common problems. In this program students begin by taking a Democratic Leadership class that introduces them to a different side of democracy—one that focuses not on campaigns and elections, but on bringing people together to work on common problems. Students learn about organizations doing this kind of work, and develop the skills necessary to facilitate conversations about community issues.
He is a member of the Aspen Institute Society of Fellows, with a focus on the Aspen Rodel Fellowship in Public Leadership.
Nevins graduated with honors in economics from Penn State in 1969 and received an M.B.A. in finance from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania in 1971. He continues as President of Nevins Real Estate Management. Nevins is married to Catherine Moyal Nevins. They currently reside in Palm Beach Gardens Florida and Cape May New Jersey.
