Joy Johnson is the senior pastor and founder of Higher Hope Christian Church in Sacramento, California. God has appointed her and her husband to proclaim the gospel to those outside of or on the margins of faith and social acceptance.

Pastor Johnson was ordained to preach the gospel in October 1997. She earned her Doctorate degree in Theology from the Sacramento Theological Seminary in 2002. She was appointed Executive Pastor at Faith Fellowship Community Church in 2003 and later served as Interim Senior Pastor until 2007.

Believing that the Church has a responsibility to serve the temporal as well as the spiritual needs of the surrounding community, Pastor Joy has led extensive grassroots, outreach programs and has developed and mentored leaders for community service throughout California. She is the founder and CEO of Life Matters, Inc a non-profit organization serving more than 2,000 residents in a multifamily residential community.

Doctor Johnson has been recognized as an Outstanding Contributor to Community Education by the Sacramento City College MESA Program, the California State University at Sacramento Commission on Peace and the Elk Grove Unified Public School Board.

Today, Pastor Joy serves on the national board for WIMIN – Women In Ministry International a program designed to equip and empower Christian women for ministry leadership.

Pastor Joy says, ”My ministry calling is to preach for CHANGE… change of mind; change of attitude; change of heart; change of direction; change of relationship; change of resources and/or change of behavior!”