Since February 2021, Eric and Candace Johnson have been prayerfully considering what God had for them following their resignation as the Senior Leaders of Bethel Redding. After much prayer, countless conversations, and deep processing, they have made a decision and have said yes to God’s calling to plant a new church, STUDIO, in Greenville, South Carolina!
"Our 'yes' is first to God and all that He is inviting us into, and then to a new people and new land. We will be planting a church and will call it STUDIO. STUDIO will be a place where God and people meet, where beautiful things take place and beautiful things are created. It is our heart and dream to build a diverse community of people who live wholeheartedly unto God, who live out truth together, and live for something beyond ourselves." - Eric and Candace Johnson
Learn more, invest in, and/or be a part of STUDIO Greenville:
Eric and Candace Johnson have served in leadership roles at Bethel Church in Redding, California for the last 18 years, including serving as Senior Pastors since 2011. They said “yes” with forever in mind and for nearly 10 years, they invested strength and leadership into the role of helping to foster a vibrant church with a global impact. Our Senior Leadership Team, Board, staff, and church family have deep love, honor, and respect for these two dynamic leaders.
With much prayer and counsel, Eric and Candace have decided that this chapter of serving as Senior Pastors has drawn to a close, and on Sunday, November 22, 2020, they publicly announced their resignation. Their decision has been prayerfully considered and thought through for several months. They were not asked or pressured to resign. There was no moral failure, inciting incident, pandemic or political fatigue, theological difference, or issue of health or capacity involved. Rather, this is about courage, strength, and faith, as they have an inner sense that this role is no longer the right fit for them in this season of their lives.
“We are family, and we will always be a part of this movement. While this decision may feel odd and unexpected, there is a deep sense of peace. We are anchored in hope, and believe that the best is yet to come, both for us and for the future of Bethel,” say Eric and Candace.
While there is sadness in this transition, we are incredibly grateful that Eric and Candace will continue to serve through the end of January 2021, working closely with the rest of Bethel’s leadership team to create as smooth of a transition as possible for our Bethel Church family and staff. This will allow some time to connect with the church family on the other side of this announcement. They created and empowered an excellent Church Leadership Team who will continue to lead alongside the Senior Leadership Team.
At this time, Eric and Candace don’t know what is next for them. They are bravely trusting in God’s goodness as they finish one assignment and await the next. They have meaningful prophetic words that they are praying into, and we stand with them, knowing that they will continue to be leaders who bring the kingdom of God wherever they go. We look forward to them preaching at Bethel services and conferences on occasion in the months and years to come. We will celebrate Eric and Candace and show our appreciation for them in January 2021.
Over the years, their leadership has helped to set us up for success, building intentionally into our movement and staff. The Senior Leadership Team and church board will be providing an interim plan in the near future, but will take time with the Lord and one another concerning a long term strategy. God’s got this, and we trust Him. Together, we will navigate the unknowns of the future as we stay focused on God’s presence and place our confidence and trust in His goodness.
We love and support Eric and Candace in their faithfulness and obedience to follow the Lord. They are, in every way, family, and are trusted leaders in close relationship with this house. We invite you to join us in praying for God’s continued blessing on them in their next season.
- Bill Johnson, Bethel ChurchSenior Leader
How long did Eric and Candace Johnson serve at Bethel Church, Redding?
Eric and Candace were on staff for a total of 18 years. They have been serving as the Senior Pastors of Bethel Church, Redding since 2011. Eric and Candace were on staff for eight years in several different leadership positions prior to their role as Senior Pastors.
Was this a decision by the church board and leadership team for them to step down?
No, they were not asked or pressured to resign. This was a decision made by Eric and Candace themselves and has been something they have been processing with the Lord for some time. They are walking out their decision with the full support of the Bethel Senior Leadership Team.
Are there other reasons that Eric and Candace are leaving?
Eric and Candace’s decision was not made due to a moral failure, inciting incident, finances, pandemic or political fatigue, theological difference, issue of health or capacity. This has been a choice they have working through for some time. Rather, this is about courage, strength, and faith, as they have an inner sense that this role is no longer the right fit for them in this season of their lives.
Who is taking over now as Senior Pastors?
The Senior Leadership Team and church board will be providing an interim plan in the near future, but will take time with the Lord and one another concerning a long term strategy. Eric and Candace have established a wonderful Church Leadership team that is full of amazing leaders who will continue to serve alongside our Senior Leadership Team and many other capable leaders.
Will Eric and Candace still be on the Bethel Leadership Team?
No. Eric and Candace will be fully stepping down as both the Senior Pastors and from the Senior Leadership Team. We look forward to them preaching at Bethel services and conferences on occasion in the months and years to come.
Did the Coronavirus have any influence in this decision?
No. This was a decision they have been processing for some time and the complexity of overseeing a church in the midst of COVID-19 was not a factor in their decision-making process.
Founded in 1954 and previously a part of the Assemblies of God, Bethel Church is a non-denominational church in Redding, California with a congregation of almost 10,000 people (including members, regular attendees, students, and children) in a city of approximately 91,000. To learn more about Bethel, we invite you to read our statement of faith and core values, discover our weekend service times, and listen to recent messages.
July 14, 2022
Join us as we partner with heaven and pray, believe, and contend for Beni Johnson’s full healing.
October 31, 2021
On Sunday, October 31, 2021, Bethel Church announced some exciting updates to its leadership structure.
October 20, 2021
Bethel Church officially broke ground on its future campus on Collyer Drive in Redding, California.