Rev. Veronica M. Johnson a native of Chicago, is the Illinois Outreach Director of Faith in Place, a multi-faith environmental justice organization, and a Commissioner of the Southeast Expanded Mental Health Services Program of Chicago. She also serves on the Faith Coalition of LiveFREE Illinois working on anti-violence initiatives in Chicago.
Rev. Johnson earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Illinois, Urbana/Champaign and worked in corporate America for more than 20 years as an engineer and project manager. After answering the call to ministry, Rev. Johnson earned a Master of Divinity Degree from McCormick Theological Seminary. Rev. Johnson has served in ministry in the AME, UCC and American Baptist Churches, and was the first woman ordained in the 130 plus year history of Greater Bethesda M. B. Church of Chicago.
Rev. Johnson previously served as CoPastor Hyde Park Union Church, and Senior Director of Admissions and Enrollment of McCormick Theological Seminary, where she was instrumental in guiding persons of many nationalities, ages, and religious backgrounds to pursue theological education.
Her favorite scripture is John 8:36, “If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed!”