Partnerships

As a leading Christian university, Johnson works collaboratively with other organizations in creative ways to educate students to extend the kingdom of God. Johnson also values community engagement and created the Greater Knoxville Advisory Board in 2018 to connect Johnson’s students, faculty, and staff in service and leadership in the city of Knoxville.

Johnson University created the Greater Knoxville Advisory Board in 2018 to explore opportunities to connect Johnson’s students, faculty, and staff with the city of Knoxville. The Board includes leaders from education, business, ministry, healthcare, politics, and nonprofits. In addition to partnering on specific initiatives, GKAB members build awareness of JU and serve as strategic advisors to help the University match regional needs with Johnson resources.

Johnson partners with Emerald Youth to address Knoxville’s urban youth crisis by providing financial resources, volunteers, work-study students, faculty and staff speakers, scholarships, and dual enrollment opportunities for students participating in Emerald Youth’s Calling and Career ministry sites. Johnson also partners with Emerald Youth to coordinate the Royal Explorer Summer Science Camps for middle schoolers from across the city.

The Urban Alliance, an initiative of Johnson University, partners with like-minded organizations in urban Knoxville to engage and empower emerging community leaders through inspiring educational experiences.

Uniting Johnson University’s strengths in higher education with the strengths of its community partners, the Urban Alliance offers programs involving science, community mentors, vocational discernment, leadership development, and asset-based research.

In addition to Royal Explorers (described above), the Urban Alliance includes Urban Scholars, a scholarship program established to help promising urban high school students attend Johnson University; Urban Plunge, an inner-city residential experience for undergrad and graduate JU students; and Future of Hope, a nine-month practical and theological exploration of issues facing Knoxville, designed for urban high school students.

Johnson University builds relationships with area high school students by sponsoring Young Life’s high school nights at The Change Center in Knoxville. Students, staff, and faculty attend the events.

In 2008, the presidents of Restoration Movement schools across the nation discussed the need for doctoral education for leaders serving around the world. As an outcome of these meetings, the Center for Global Studies (CGS) and the Ph.D. in Leadership Studies concept were born. The CGS Advisory Board consists of representatives from each affiliate school, including Cincinnati Christian University, Emmanuel Christian Seminary, Hope International University, Johnson University, Kentucky Christian University, Lincoln Christian University, Milligan College, and TCM International. Each participating university agreed to share resources where appropriate and support the efforts of the CGS and proposed Ph.D. program. Johnson was chartered to develop an online Ph.D. program in Leadership Studies that represented the mission and intent of the CGS. This Ph.D. program, while advised by the CGS Board, is governed by Johnson University.

Johnson University partners with Forge America to offer a missional leadership track within the online Ph.D. in Leadership Studies in collaboration with the Center for Global Studies. Through coursework, students explore missional topics such as encountering culture, ecclesiology, and hermeneutics, followed by field research done in conjunction with Forge staff and in Forge hubs.

Johnson University partners with the following churches to offer Johnson students the opportunity to for hands-on, mentored ministry training in local contexts. Students in the Strategic Ministry residency program spend nine months serving and learning with vibrant churches in Phoenix, Orlando, and Indianapolis. The program includes both an undergraduate and a graduate option. Learn more about the undergraduate and graduate options.

Phoenix:
Christ’s Church of the Valley
Eagle Christian Church (Boise, ID)

Orlando:
Real Life Christian Church

Indianapolis:
Greenwood Christian Church
Indian Creek Christian Church
Park Chapel Christian Church
Plainfield Christian Church
White River Christian Church
BLOC Ministries (Cincinnati, OH)

Johnson University and Pioneer Bible Translators partner in world evangelism to offer a fully online Intercultural Studies academic program. The program provides a quality education to new recruits and experienced missionaries alike at the Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, and Master of Arts levels.

Johnson University has partnered with several schools and universities in China, South Korea, and Vietnam. These schools include:

Anhui Normal University, Wuhu, China

Beijing Language and Culture University, Beijing, China

Henan Institute of Education, Zhengzhou, China

Sias University, Xinzheng, China

Xinyang Norma University, Xinyang, China

Zhengzhou No. 47 Middle and High School

Seoul Christian University