2002 Alumnus of the Year - W. Holman Johnson '39
This article originally appeared in the Spring, 2001 MoodyAlumni magazine. (Vol. 52 - No. 2)
Camping Pioneer
by Byron S. Fujii ’79 dg ’80, Managing Editor
William Holman Johnson ’39 was born on May 31, 1913, about 100 southwest of Chicago, in Princeton, IL. The oldest of three children, the farm is where he spent his childhood.
He played basketball, baseball, football, and ran track while at Bureau Township High School, where he graduated in 1931.
Seven athletic scholarships from colleges such as Eureka, Bradley, and the University of Illinois were offered to young Holman. But his immediate plans did not include college. He liked farming and thought that was what he was “cut out” for. So after high school, he stayed on the farm to help his parents.
“All have sinned”
One winter, a visiting preacher proclaimed, “All of us have sinned,” but that “God has sent a Savior.” This was good news to Holman because he wanted to get to Heaven, but always thought you got there by good works alone. He had found that in trying to be good enough to get to heaven, you never knew when you were being good enough!
A few months later, this president of the young people’s group and junior boys’ Sunday school teacher made a public profession of faith.
Early glimpse into the future
As the junior boys’ Sunday school teacher, Holman often planned camping trips for the class, as a part of winning their confidence and making sure they had a good time. They always seemed to listen better on Sunday if he went out of his way to show them a good time on Saturday!
Off to MBI
As time went on, his desires began to change. In September of 1934, through his mother’s influence, new motivation, and interests, he went to Moody Bible Institute. He didn’t know you were supposed to apply or register ahead of time. He thought you merely showed up and they’d say something like, “Good, we’re glad you’re here. C’mon in.” His parents accompanied him to the campus to see that he got settled in alright.
Not having been accepted or registered in advance, he was directed to Mr. Leslie. After hearing the story, Mr. Leslie told Holman that he would still have to apply and go through the admission process.
Whenever the family would be away for lunch, Ma Johnson would bring chicken to eat. And this occasion was no different. She offered Mr. Leslie some chicken, too. Maybe she was doing her part to help her son, in whatever way she could. It seemed to have helped.
Holman was eventually admitted as a student and enrolled in the general music curriculum because he “wanted to be the greatest song leader the country had ever seen.”
While a student, he was on a team the school sent out to churches in the area to promote evening school. Another member of the team “caught his eye,” pianist Hester Louise Bell (Dec.) ’37. After dating for a while, he bought a ring and asked Hester to marry him.
Early ministry
Meanwhile, he was selected as a candidate for an assistant pastor position with a church in Jackson, MI. After one meeting, he was hired.
“Johnnie,” a nickname he got while a student at Moody, and Hester were married on a Friday, and the following Wednesday reported to his new position, leading the choir and working with the young people.
Continued education
After nine months in ministry, the couple made a decision to go back to Moody and finish the Bible course. Our Alumnus of the Year graduated with the April class of 1939.
While the couple served in different churches in Michigan, Johnnie took the young people camping on several occasions. He also continued his education, taking classes at Calvin College and Michigan State University. In the midst of this, they welcomed their first child, David Holman ’65, on June 15, 1941.
It was in the camping context that this year’s recipient began to see that the interest and reception was better than the reception he got in the pulpit. Sitting around the campfire got him more response and the young people seemed to hear him more. He also felt that he was no “pulpiteer,” that he fit in better with the rocks, sand, and chunks of wood.
Camp growth
In the summer of 1944, the church took their first official camping trip. Thirty people headed for Muskegon State Park. This camping program continued to grow in numbers and duration. By 1952, they had over 650 campers over a seven-week camping period at two separate, temporary locations. For the first years, they called the operation Camp Michilake. In 1947, they held a contest among the campers to come up with a new name. The contest resulted in the name “Barakel,” meaning ‘God has blessed,’ from Job 32:6.
It was soon realized that a permanent site was needed for Camp Barakel. Through a series of contacts, the present location was found. Thus began a journey in faith. God answered prayers and met needs from buses to timber to payment for the property.
The Lord taketh and giveth
In 1949, the Johnsons learned that Hester was suffering from heart disease. Because of this, she was not able to do much. Her struggle came to an end in 1954. She died, at the age of 41, but had been able to see the first couple years of Camp Barakel at their permanent location and the many blessings of God on that ministry.
As the camp continued to grow, God remained faithful in meeting not only the needs of the camp, but also the needs of its founder. A woman named Alice Lutz came to work at Barakel during the summer of 1955, and in June of 1956, they were married.
In April of 1961, they welcomed Timothy William ’79-’80 to the family. By this time, Dave was in his second year at college. He felt the Lord leading him to Moody and transferred at the end of that semester.
Health issues
As far back as 1947, “Uncle Johnnie” had suffered from severe headaches and was sick to his stomach a lot. In 1963, his health got to a point where surgery was necessary. He was diagnosed with myasthemia gravis, a muscle/nerve disorder. Dave took the winter and spring terms off from Moody to come back and run the camp while its founder recovered from surgery.
As Uncle Johnnie’s work for the Lord proceeded, it continued to affect his health. By 1978, doctors advised him to get away from camp or risk dying. A decision was made and the family moved to Escondido, CA. But summers were still spent back at camp in Michigan.
Another loss
In the summer of 1983, Alice was feeling very tired. Nonetheless, the family took their annual summer trip to Camp Barakel.
Still feeling ill when they returned to California in the fall, Alice had some tests done. The diagnosis was ovarian cancer, and by late July she was hospitalized. She passed away in mid-September.
Going strong
Although now 88 years of age, Uncle Johnnie has chosen to live out his years at the ministry he founded.
He is a daily encourager to the year-round staff members. He serves as the host to the more than 10,000 people who come to Barakel each year. His continuing love for the ministry – fueled by the excitement at what God is doing to sustain it – are infectious and make him an important contributor.
From the humblest beginnings to pioneer camping efforts, this year’s recipient felt the Lord would match His provision depending on how faithful they were in carrying out what He had already led them to do. Uncle Johnnie often says that anybody could have done what he’s done. He doesn’t claim to have any impressive leadership ability or charisma. All one needed was just to trust God, believe God, have a heart for the ministry and be willing to work. God would do the rest.