THE A.M.E. CHURCH AND LEGACY
About Us | AMEMULTICAMPUS
our pastors:
Bernadette and Bill
Are the founding pastors of Providence First A.M.E., Lompoc, and Founders of Saint Phillip A.M.E. of Santa Maria, where Bill is the current Pastor. They have been working in this venue for over 20 years. Before that, they were assistant ministers to the late Harry Davis at the St. Paul AME Church in Santa Barbara, California. It was Rev. Davis's dream and the vision of the Pastors’ Johnsons to expand the work and the dream of Richard Allen.
Bernadette and Bill took the dream to the city of Isla Vista and founded MANNA MINISTRY, a feeding and shelter ministry for Homeless families. The dream was expanded and extended to the city of Lompoc and again to Santa Maria where they founded Providence A.M.E. Church and St. Philip A.M.E. Church.
Bernadette D. Johnson
Bernadette’s participation as pianist and choir director in her
local church (Carver 4 Square of Compton, Ca.), had
prepared her for the Ministry of Music and Christian
Education. Bernadette applied her early training and
education at Life Bible College and in the Disciples of
Christ Christian Church, where her Grandfather was
one of the pioneering founders of the denomination in Los
Angeles, California, to her eventual ordination in the African
Methodist Episcopal Church.
She organized choirs and Sunday school programs in various churches
and denominations before accepting a call to the Itinerant Ministry.
She holds an Associate of Arts Degree in General Studies from Santa
Barbara City College, in the city of Santa Barbara California. An Associate of
Science Degree from Hancock Community College in Santa Maria California. A
Bachelor of Arts Degree in Liberal Arts from Antioch in Santa Maria, California,
and a Master’s Degree in Education and Social Justice from Antioch in Santa
Barbara, California.
Her professional life consists of her teaching piano and voice; Piano
Accompanist at Santa Barbara High School, and teacher at Early Childhood school with the Community Action Commission. She is the co-founder of the SANTA BARBARA COUNTY INTER-FAITH CHILDREN’S CHOIR.
She is serving as Senior Pastor at Providence First A.M.E. in Lompoc, CA.,
and is Assistant to her husband at St. Phillip A.M.E. in Santa Maria, CA.
​​​​​​​
​
​
William H. Johnson
​
William “Bill” Johnson is the product of several generations
of A.M.E. families. His ministry has been colored by the
generational experiences and contributions of family
members who have served as A.M.E. clergy, Parishioners,
Presiding Elders, and General Officers. As a member of an
Air Force family, Bill has traveled extensively to each of the
fifty states. He has lived in both Hawaii and Alaska.
Bill has received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Social Science from
The University of Santa Barbara, in the city of Santa Barbara California. He holds a
Master’s Degree in EDUCATION and SOCIAL JUSTICE from Antioch in the city
of Santa Barbara, California
He has taught in the educational systems from pre-school through
Community College levels. Bill is an applicant for the Doctorate of Ministry
program. Bill functions as Assistant to Bernadette at Providence First A.M.E.
church in Lompoc, CA.
