Bloom where you are planted

John Johnson joined us at Fire & Ice in 2023 to celebrate 360 Communities’ 50th Anniversary.

Honoring the legacy of John Johnson

A message from Jeff Mortensen
President & CEO

On June 14, John Johnson, an original catalyst behind what would become 360 Communities, passed away peacefully at the age of 82. His daughter shared that he considered 360 Communities “a jewel of his legacy,” a powerful reflection of the impact his vision continues to have today.

Challenging the status quo

John was a self-declared fan of revolution. He spent his life challenging the status quo and inspiring meaningful, people-centered change. In 1970, the Lutheran Church in America sent him to start a congregation in Valley Park, but instead of building a church, he did something remarkable. He listened. What he heard was not a call for another place of worship, but a deep need for community, cooperation, and connection.

Community Action

From that listening came action. He founded the Valley Park Community Life Center, an experiment in shared resources and collaboration among local churches. His work led to the establishment of the Community Action Council, which later evolved into 360 Communities. Under his leadership, 28 churches across Dakota County came together to meet pressing community needs and live out a mission of collective action.

Circle of giving and receiving

John believed that when people are helped, they can become helpers themselves. That belief continues to shape our work to this day, more than fifty years later. As we remember John Johnson, we honor a legacy rooted in compassion, courage, and a steadfast belief in the power of community. His vision lives on in every life touched by 360 Communities.