After 15 years of serving as chaplain for the Gustavus campus, Chaplain Brian Johnson announced that he is taking a position at Valparaiso University as the Executive Director of Campus Ministries.

“Valparaiso has created a new position to coordinate the work of several divisions of the college’s mission and ministry.  The staff of the Chapel of the Resurrection, the office of Church Relations and a new office to yet be designed working with Leadership and Service will be part of my responsibilities,” Johnson said.

Valparaiso University is an independent Lutheran institution located in Valparaiso, Indiana. “I’ll be working with community service and service learning, inter-religious dialogue and external constituents of the university.  In a sense, I will be an advocate and an apologist for a robust and vital intersection between reason and revelation, between the Academy and the Church, between the university and the world,” Johnson said.

Johnson is a 1980 graduate of Gustavus and worked on campus with the Office of Public Relations, the Office of Admissions and the confirmation retreat program before serving as a chaplain. As the current Artistic Director for Christmas in Christ Chapel, as well as a talented musician and singer, many of Johnson’s colleagues have commented on his contributions to the Christmas in Christ Chapel services and the liturgy of chapel services.

“I’ve always appreciated Brian’s gifts for artistic vision and creative insight that have helped give shape to many-a-Christmas in Christ Chapel, this past year’s Nobel Concert and the myriad of daily, Sunday and special services held in the Chapel each year,” Professor Chad Fothergill, who serves as organist and cantor for the Chaplain’s office said.

Barbara Bjelland, who has worked as the sexton in the Chaplain’s Office for the last three years, added that Johnson “brings incredible gifts in music and the visual arts as well as his broad knowledge of theology and literature. He is also able to personally welcome and engage a variety of people. He has thus created a ministry that incorporates a variety of religious and non-religious viewpoints and traditions and perspectives that range from local to international. This always makes an interesting and thought-provoking Chapel program and a unique and beautiful Christmas worship experience.”

Johnson’s influence is noticed not only in the Chapel, but in the classroom as well. He has taught several religion courses, including Christian Ethics, as well as the First Term Seminar “Meditation and Mindfulness,” which he co-taught with Professor Will Freiert last semester. He also serves as the academic adviser for all students interested in pursuing careers in church leadership. Beyond the classroom, Johnson has been involved with student-led organizations like the Peer Assistants, the Gustie Greeters and the Collegiate Fellows. Fellow Chaplain Rachel Larson added, “[Johnson] initiated closer connections and support between the Chaplains Office and student religious groups.”

One of Johnson’s contributions to the on-campus ministry here at Gustavus has been his commitment toward incorporating inter-faith Chapel services and dialogues into the Gustavus community. “[Johnson] has continued to hold up the importance of interreligious dialogue, and he’s responsible for holding interreligious observances four times a year in Chapel.” Larson said. “He does so many things.”

Johnson said he will miss “the people, the place, the dream of what Gustavus is and will be. I’ve always imagined that Gustavus is a large and diverse tent of meaning that holds this community together, with room for every student, faculty and staff [member]. I will miss being in that room with the people here who are my family. I want to give thanks to this community for the opportunity to serve here during these 15 years. You have been a blessing to me. I will pray for you all at this bittersweet time of transition and change.”

Currently there has been no information released as to whether or not the college will actively search for another chaplain to serve the Gustavus community in Johnson’s place.