Historic $1 million gift honors alumna, establishes Liberty’s first endowed chair

Liberty Theological Seminary in the Liberty University John W. Rawlings School of Divinity will soon be home to the university’s first-ever endowed chair position, made possible through a generous $1 million gift from the estate of Dr. Steven Johnson of Mankato, Minn.

The gift establishes a permanent, full-time faculty position dedicated to advancing theological scholarship.

Johnson donated in honor of his late wife, Dr. Michelle Johnson, who earned three degrees from Liberty: a Master of Arts in Biblical Studies (’11), Master of Divinity (’16), and Ph.D. in Applied Apologetics (’23). He said his wife’s love for the Bible led her to pursue her two master’s degrees through Liberty University Online Programs before earning her doctorate residentially through multiple on-campus intensive courses and several years of rigorous study leading up to her dissertation.

Michelle Johnson was diagnosed with cancer four days after receiving her doctorate. Steven Johnson retired from a 36-year career as a dentist following her diagnosis and spent the next year and a half treasuring his time with her. She passed away on Nov. 17, 2024, at age 56, exactly 22 years after their first date. They were married for 20 years.

“She was an amazing woman and an amazing wife,” he said. “God created a one of a kind when He created Michelle.”

Michelle Johnson served as vice president and executive editor for Bellator Christi Ministries. She co-authored two books, “Strong Faith: 5 Questions and Answers Every Christian Should Know” and “Why Creationism Still Matters.”

Her next planned venture was to teach online at Liberty. Now that dream and her legacy, according to her husband, will live on through the endowed chair position. The $1 million fund will be professionally managed through Liberty’s investment portfolio, allowing the gift to grow over time while generating ongoing support to subsidize the salary and work of the endowed chair faculty member, which will be announced later this year.

Steven Johnson said he and his wife had discussed the gift and its impact before her death.

“Both (Michelle and I) felt that so many schools nowadays, especially in theology, have not kept the Bible as God’s Holy Word. And so, we wanted to (fund) the endowed chair to try to allow opportunities for students to study God’s Word at a good, solid, conservative school and create professors who would be diligent followers of the Bible in its entirety.”

“This gift reflects Dr. Michelle Johnson’s deep love for God’s Word and her commitment to apologetics,” said School of Divinity Dean Dr. Troy Temple. “She will continue to inspire generations through this endowed chair, the first in the history of Liberty University and Liberty Theological Seminary. This generous gift will strengthen our ability to equip future pastors, scholars, and ministry leaders with a robust theological foundation, ensuring that her passion for truth and Scripture lives on in every student we serve. Such generosity propels the mission of the School of Divinity to come alongside the local church in its quest to fulfill the Great Commission.”

During her time at Liberty, Michelle Johnson developed strong relationships with her professors and fellow classmates, including Dr. Sherene Khouri, a modern languages and global engagement professor who was a co-author for “Why Creationism Still Matters.”

“Dr. Michelle Johnson was more than a colleague to me; she was a dear friend and a sister in Christ,” Khouri said. “It is rare to find someone with whom you can engage at the highest levels of thought while also sharing your heart without hesitation. Michelle was that rare gift.”

Khouri said they stayed connected throughout their studies and encouraged one another, prayed for one another, and walked together through the joys and challenges of their respective academic journeys. “My prayer is that this generous donation in her honor will raise up more scholars like Michelle — men and women who think deeply, love faithfully, and can speak to both the mind and the heart.”

Steven Johnson visited campus in November, where he attended Convocation, two football games, three basketball games, a women’s soccer game, and a men’s hockey game. He also met with divinity faculty and university leadership, including President Dondi E. Costin, Provost and Chief Academic Officer Dr. Scott Hicks, and Brian Mentzer, executive vice president of development. Johnson said he witnessed firsthand how the spirit of God is moving at Liberty: “Just like the tower is the center of the campus, I would like to see the theology department (housed in Freedom Tower) continue to serve and create an environment where people will strengthen their faith in Christ each and every day.”

Hicks said the gift will advance the university’s mission of Training Champions for Christ.

“This historic gift will strengthen Liberty’s commitment to rigorous, Christ-centered scholarship by ensuring sustained excellence in teaching within the School of Divinity. We are forever grateful for the Johnsons and their gift, presented out of a genuine love for God and others, and we look forward to seeing the legacy of Dr. Michelle Johnson shape students and faculty for years to come.”