Ferguson pastor, scholar address ongoing struggle against racism
PULPIT CHALLENGE: F. Willis Johnson (left), pastor of Wellspring Church in Ferguson, Missouri, preaches, “It’s not your fault, but it is your fight” to a gathering in Chicago at the invitation of Sally Dyck (right), presiding bishop of the United Methodist Northern Illinois Conference. Phot by Aquilino Javier
Pastor F. Willis Johnson captured national attention last August after Mike Brown, an unarmed teenager, was shot and killed in Ferguson, Missouri. Johnson was photographed talking to an 18-year-old protester. He embraced the protester and moved him out of the way of police.
Since then, he has continued to engage with young activists, who remind him of the biblical figure of David.
“Every generation is challenged by situations and circumstances that are insanely intimidating and gigantic in scope,” he said. “There are Davids all around us. They are young men and women who have been anointed and prepared.”
