Bethel Worship Commissioning: 1200 Rally Attendance
bethel Leaders Brian and Jenn Johnson Hailed as “Commanders of Armies” in Prophetic Worship Movement
Kris Vallotton, a prominent pastor at Bethel church, has drawn a powerful parallel between Brian and Jenn Johnson and the biblical figures of King David and Israel’s armies, highlighting their role in a new era of spiritual warfare through worship.
Vallotton described the Johnsons as “two commanders of armies that were setting up worship for warfare,” referencing passages from 1st Chronicles 25 and Psalm 149. He specifically sees a prophetic mantle on Jenn Johnson, characterizing her as a prophetess whose worship songs serve as potent weapons in contemporary spiritual warfare.
Brian Johnson, bethel’s worship pastor, has openly shared his past struggles with extreme panic attacks, detailing his journey to healing in his book, When God Becomes Real. Vallotton believes God will utilize Brian Johnson’s voice to bring deliverance to America, suggesting that Johnson has been given a specific song for the nation that will foster straightened paths and usher in a “second era, which will be the era of reformation.”
Reflecting on the foundational principles of worship at Bethel, Bill Johnson recalled his father’s teachings about ministering to God as kings and priests. He shared a personal memory from the early 1970s when his parents, along with a dedicated group, committed themselves to worship. Johnson recounted the significant opposition they faced, particularly when the church’s focus shifted to singing songs directed to God rather than about Him. This led to a dramatic decrease in attendance, with a sanctuary that could seat 600 only drawing 65 people after the fellowship fractured.
Despite the challenges, Johnson remembered the palpable “freshness” and “presence” in the room during those times, noting that from that core group, their ministry began to “increase and explode to multiple services.” He also spoke of his father’s teachings on the inner and outer courts from the book of Ezekiel, a concept that deeply impacted him. Johnson shared a personal prayer to God: “I give You the rest of my life to teach me this one thing…what is it like to minister to You?” This profound desire to understand and embody true worship continues to shape the ministry at Bethel.
