FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(FALLS CHURCH, VIRGINIA – July 1, 2026) After seven years of service leading communications for the Baptist World Alliance (BWA), J. Merritt Johnston will transition to a full-time role as Executive Director of BWA Women, effective August 1, 2026.
Johnston joined the BWA staff in 2019 as Director of Communications and Media and was later appointed as part-time Executive Director of BWA Women in 2021 following the retirement of former Executive Director Moreen Sharp. Since that time, Johnston has faithfully carried dual leadership responsibilities while helping strengthen and expand both ministries. With the appointment of Jeff Peck as the new BWA Director of Communications and Media, Johnston will focus fully on leading the global ministry of BWA Women.
“Over the last seven years, I have been blessed to build on the strong foundation laid by my predecessors and to work alongside incredible colleagues, contractors, and volunteers who faithfully gave their time, gifts, and expertise to advance this ministry,” said Johnston. “The relationships built, lessons learned, and experiences gained during that season will continue to shape and strengthen my leadership as I serve alongside our sisters who are impacting the world for Christ in profound ways every day.”
During her tenure leading BWA communications, Johnston helped align and strengthen the ministry’s global brand while significantly expanding its digital engagement. She launched the BWA YouTube channel, produced more than 500 videos, led the development and maintenance of nine BWA websites, helped increase social media reach by more than 1,100 percent, and grew email subscribers by more than 165 percent. She also provided art direction for the BWA Welcome Center, which opened in 2019, and designed numerous exhibits and displays throughout the BWA Global Mission Center in Falls Church, Virginia, USA.
Johnston has provided communications leadership for five BWA Annual Gatherings and two Baptist World Congresses, including the first fully virtual Congress during the COVID-19 pandemic, which connected more than 4,000 participants from 146 countries. She partnered with former Director of Global Partnerships & Unity Julie Justus Williams to expand the weekly “One in Prayer” email guide into four languages, organized a 24-hour global prayer marathon at the onset of the pandemic, and recruited more than 400 volunteers to serve in the BWA Global Communications Cohort.
Throughout her service, Johnston partnered with BWA leaders to develop and distribute numerous ministry resources, including the inaugural BWA Vulnerability Index and its annual editions, the BWA Holistic Mission Guide, the School of Evangelism virtual training, and a range of webinars and workshops. She served as the organization’s primary media contact and press conference host, issued more than 50 press releases and public statements, and supported the Resolutions Committee as staff liaison, collaborating with Historian Lee Spitzer to create a searchable digital resolutions archive.
Johnston also served as staff liaison for the BWA Awards Committee and, most recently, for the newly established BWA Commission on Faith and Technology. She developed multilingual creative assets for the Acts 2 Movement, led communications for global advocacy initiatives and disaster response efforts, implemented the Global Impact Church virtual briefing series, and designed and distributed annual holiday messages from the BWA General Secretary, President, and Chair. Johnston also facilitated print and digital donor communications, developed Global Impact Day resources, and collaborated with leaders across the BWA’s six regional fellowships and 283 member partner organizations to share stories of God’s work around the world.
“Merritt embodies a rare combination of expertise, passion, faith, and joy. Her ministry has influenced countless lives across cultures and continents, reflecting both a servant’s heart and a leader’s vision,” said BWA General Secretary and CEO Elijah Brown. “She is a transformational leader, and the Lord is already working through her in powerful ways to network Baptist women to impact the world for Christ. These are exciting days for BWA Women and for our global Baptist family.”
In her part-time role as Executive Director, Johnston helped launch and grow BWA Women’s Stand Against Domestic Violence initiative, initiated the annual Day of Prayer virtual worship celebration, advanced the first global Uptick leadership development cohort, served as Co-Chair of Ecumenical Women at the United Nations, and facilitated the 2025 Baptist Women’s Summit, which engaged more than 700 participants from over 60 countries. She collaborated with BWA Women’s seven Continental Unions to coordinate the annual Baptist Women’s World Day of Prayer, including last year’s 75th anniversary celebration, and helped triple the number of Day of Prayer grants distributed to support ministry projects in every region. She has served alongside the BWA Women Global Board, including 13 Continental Union Presidents, two BWA Women Presidents, and many national and local leaders. During this season, she has participated in more than 50 virtual events, traveled to 19 countries to partner with women leaders on the ground, and shared God’s Word with more than 50,000 people across the global Baptist family.
“As we celebrate Merritt Johnston’s transition to serving as the full-time Executive Director of BWA Women, we give thanks to God for his faithful guidance and provision. Merritt has demonstrated great leadership, vision, and a commitment to empowering Baptist women around the world,” said Karlene Edwards-Warrick, BWA Women President. “Her move into this full-time role marks an important milestone in the life of our organization and reflects our shared commitment to expanding the impact of BWA Women in this season of unprecedented opportunity. Together, we will continue to strengthen our global network, amplify the voices of women in Baptist communities, and advance our mission of connecting, equipping, and empowering women for service and witness. We believe this new chapter positions BWA Women to deepen its influence and ministry across generations and cultures, all for the glory of God.”
A lifelong Baptist, Johnston has served in ministry leadership roles within the Church and nonprofit sector for more than 25 years. Her experience includes co-founding and leading a nonprofit while in college, providing pastoral care as a hospital chaplain, guiding communications for a global seminary, serving with an international broadcast ministry, and shepherding women within a multi-site church.
“Stepping into the role of BWA Women Executive Director on a part-time basis four years ago was one of the greatest honors of my life,” said Johnston. “It provided an opportunity to serve at the beautiful intersection of my calling and gifts while drawing from the ministry experiences God has graciously woven throughout my life. Every moment spent with our global sisters since has reminded me what a privilege it is to be part of this extraordinary family. I am overjoyed to now devote my attention more fully to the mission and ministry of BWA Women. I am deeply grateful for everyone who has prayed, worked, and partnered financially to make this transition possible, and I look forward with great anticipation to all God has in store as we link arms to share the love of Christ and work toward a better world for every woman and girl.”
Johnston holds a Master of Divinity and a Master of Arts in Biblical Studies from Grace School of Theology and a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication/Journalism, Performance Studies, and Psychology from the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor in Texas, USA. She and her husband, Jeremy, have been married for 26 years and have three children.
Merritt Johnston is pictured serving at the 2025 Baptist Women’s Summit in Brisbane, Australia, in 2025.
Johnston is pictured with members of the BWA Communications Team at the 23rd Baptist World Congress and speaking at a Baptist Women’s World Day of Prayer service wearing a special coat gifted to her by Lebanese women.
