Pastor Martha L. Johnson is the Senior Pastor of Compassion Christian Center, in Bakersfield, California. As the wife of the late Pastor Ted M. Johnson, Pastor Martha took the helm of the ministry in 1995.

Pastor Johnson was born in the State of Oklahoma, one of ten children. She received her bachelor’s degree in elementary education and has a lifetime teaching credential. She taught for 32 years in the Bakersfield City School District. She is the proud mother of three children.

Pastor Johnson has a big heart for the community! As a result, she is pursuing the God-given vision for a Compassion Square, a mecca of enterprise, entertainment, and empowerment.

Pastor Johnson is an anointed woman of God, with a special anointing in the areas of healing and teaching. Under her leadership, Compassion is thriving.

The 48 years of the life of Pastor Ted Maurice Johnson were marked by his commitment to the things of God, his family, his church family, and his community.

Pastor Ted’s goal and vision has reached and touched the lives of many people. He was involved extensively in the community and was instrumental in bringing people of all races and walks of life together.

He was born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and was the eldest of 13 children. He received his bachelor’s degree in sociology and a master’s degree in counseling. He attended San Jose Bible College and a held a lifetime teaching credential and taught school for 13 years.

On June 17, 1967, he was united in holy matrimony with Martha Louise Miller. That union was blessed with three daughters to whom he imparted love, compassion, the vision for reaching the lost and love for the things of God.

He was in ministry for 30 years. In 1969, he pioneered Temple of Compassion Church of God in Christ. In 1986, Pastor Ted renamed the church to the Bakersfield Compassion Christian Center, Incorporated, a non-denominational, teaching ministry.

In August of 1992, the man with the vision, our beloved, Pastor Ted Johnson, went home to be with the Lord. He now lives eternally with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He left a legacy of love and compassion.

"I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me.” II Timothy 4:7-8