Founder and Apostolic Covering A native of Chicago, Illinois, Bishop Byron Johnson graduated from Knox College in Galesburg, Illinois in 1961 with a bachelor's degree in biology and chemistry, after which he was certified as a medical technologist by the American Society of Clinical Pathologists. Later he attended McCormick Theological Seminary, where he earned two Master's Degrees while teaching computer programming in evening schools. 

In 1972 he began employment as an instructor at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, Illinois, where he also earned a Ph.D. in Education, majoring in Instructional Materials. From 1978 through 1991, Bishop Johnson enjoyed a distinguished career as a Professor in the School of Technical Careers at the University of Southern Illinois at Carbondale.

Bishop Johnson began his spiritual leadership as Sunday School teacher in Morgan Park Assembly in Chicago, where he also served as Sunday School secretary and Director of Christian Education. He was ordained in the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World in the early 1970's, and has served in the Illinois District Council as Assistant Secretary, Secretary and District Elder.

In 1972, he assumed the pastorate of the Apostolic Church of God in Harrisburg, Illinois, and held that position until his call to Christ Temple Apostolic Faith Assembly in June 1990. In 1993, he was consecrated to the office of Suffragan Bishop. Under his leadership Christ Temple grew spiritually, numerically and financially. Christ Temple also built churches in the cities of Akure and Ibadan in Nigeria, West Africa, and began construction of a third in Lagos, and financially supported mission efforts in other international fields. He has also served as an instructor at Aenon Bible College.

Bishop Johnson has traveled to the Philippines, Israel, Africa and Russia. He remains actively involved with missions, both international and local.  While on a missions trip to Russia in April 2001, he was strongly impressed of the Lord to begin a new ministry in Indianapolis. In response, he resigned his previous pastorate, and began New Wineskin Ministries. During the summer 2001 convention of the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World, he was appointed the Diocesan Bishop of the Western Nigeria Diocese.

Bishop Byron V. Johnson is married to the former Sister Anita Shelton of Harrisburg, Illinois. They are the parents of two children and grandparents of five