This episode of the Missio Savannah Podcast is an interview with Dr. Mark Johnson.
Mark came to Savannah in 2015 to serve as the CEO of the Gateway Community Service Board. Mark’s life was one of service, vision and impact.
Cancer took Mark’s life shortly after giving this interview in early 2024. Mark’s living hope in the face of adversity shines through in this interview.
Here Mark shares a testimony that is more nnotated bibliography than autobiography—what Mark labeled at as a collection of bits and pieces of formative content that Mark wanted to share. His offering bristled authors, artists, movies and scripture —especially scripture.
Mark’s unique form of testimony reminds of what R.D. Crouse wrote about concerning the communal aspect wisdom within the Church of Christ: “Do not suppose that wisdom is your private possession, your individual achievement; do not think that you are wise just by yourself alone. We have wisdom only as a common possession.”
It’s not that Mark’s life story is not interesting. He has many stories worth telling. Yet Mark uses his testimony opportunity to share about the works and words that have formed and discipled him. He put out some breadcrumbs that — with God’s Providence and the work of the Holy Sprit—could direct other curious people to a life of growth and wisdom in Christ.
In this interview, Mark Johnson shares some of those bits and pieces with us. Mark offers rich reflections on paintings by Henry Ossawa Tanner and Rembrandt and unpacks scripture passages that have had particular resonance in his approach to psychiatry and family therapy.
God has given Mark has a deeply informed and humble perspective on what it means to be a person, biologically, psychologically, socially and spiritually. He is also a keen observer and a careful hearer the Word. This interview is one of many gifts that he has left with us.
Well done good and faithful and hopeful servant!
