DR. FRANK JOHNSON, FOUNDER

Frank Johnson, and his wife Lois Jean, founded Kelview and held its first meeting in June of 1961. After dedicating 36 years of his life to Kelview Heights Baptist Church, Dr. Johnson retired in December, 1997.

In the beginning, Dr. Johnson worked at another job during the day to help support his wife and three young children. But he walked the streets of Midland in the evenings inviting people to worship at Kelview. Brother Johnson graduated from Bible Baptist Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas in May, 1961, and in 1962 "Pastor" Johnson accepted, from Kelview's 13 "voting members", a $50 per week salary and full time responsibility for the church, which had already begun to grow.

It would be negligent to reminisce of the history and growth of Kelview Heights without paying due to Dr. Johnson's wife, Lois Jean. Brother Johnson often commented that "behind every good man is a great woman" ... and Lois Jean was just that. Prior to their move to Midland, it was Lois Jean who first began attending Bandera Street Baptist Church in Houston, Texas, along with her 3 children ... and who ultimately, through the reflection of God in her life, inspired Frank Johnson to join the family, and work of God. Lois served in many roles at Kelview, while also providing strength and continued inspiration to her husband.