By Lauren Turner
Merritt Johnston ‘00 came to UMHB having never been on a plane and having no idea where the future would take her. Now, 23 years after graduating as a triple major in mass communication, psychology and performance studies, Merritt travels around the world as the director of communications and media for the Baptist World Alliance.
“I seek to broaden awareness globally about the mission and ministry of the BWA as well as deepen engagement among the 51 million Baptists within our global network,” she said.
Merritt achieved her position with the BWA through years of education, leadership and connecting with others. After graduating from UMHB, she earned a Master of Biblical Studies and Master of Divinity from Grace School of Theology, received a digital marketing certificate from Cornell University, and is currently completing her thesis for a Master of Arts in Communication Leadership.
And she keeps raising the bar. Merritt also serves as the executive director of Baptist World Alliance Women.
“I serve our network of Baptist women in more than 150 countries. We strive to encourage and equip women for community, leadership and advocacy,” she explained.
Merritt assumed her role as director of communications and media at the beginning of 2019 and followed with the role of BWA Women’s executive director in November 2021. Although she always felt called to ministry and communication fields, she never saw herself in the position she has today.
“From a young age, I loved to write. I served on my high school newspaper staff and then served as editor of The Bells for two years while at UMHB. Through those experiences, I knew that communication was a part of my calling,” she said.
After graduation, Merritt took on the role of women’s ministry director and communications associate for Lakepointe Church.
“This enabled me to combine two facets of my calling,” she said. She also worked in communications for a hospital, seminary, multisite church, and international broadcast ministry and says each of those opportunities helped prepare her for this season leading communications for the BWA.
Merritt was connected with the BWA through UMHB alumnus, Dr. Elijah Brown '02, the organization’s general secretary and CEO. When Merritt heard he would be accepting the role of secretary, she reached out to him and his wife, Amy '02.
“I reached out to let them know I would be praying with and for them,” she explained. “When a role in the communications department later became available, we connected and began praying about the possibility of me joining the team. After a series of interviews with a global search committee, I was honored to be chosen for the job.”
Through her position with the BWA, Merritt touches the lives of millions of people. Her work involves teams funding literacy initiatives in Papua New Guinea, groups providing vocational training in Cameroon, and attending conferences such as the Asia Baptist Women’s Union General Assembly. Merritt also leads a delegation at the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women, an event that allows leaders from different social networks to come together and develop solutions for problems facing women.
“When I return from traveling, people often ask, ‘What did you see?’ And I respond, ‘The people.’ I have certainly been blessed to see some amazing sights over the years, but the most important and most beautiful part of every trip is the people,” Merritt said.
Her first international trip was serving with the Baptist Student Ministry as a summer missionary, which “opened the floodgates.”
“I am grateful to UMHB both for my formal education and my field experience as a ministry leader,” she said. “My academic studies equipped me as a communicator, and the various opportunities I had to serve on campus equipped me as a minister. I learned how to build and lead teams, plan and host events and launch and grow ministry initiatives.”
The experiences she’s enjoyed over the last five years have opened her eyes in new ways to God’s global mission and introduced her to incredible people who are impacting the world for Christ every day, she says.
“For a girl who had never been on an airplane when I arrived at UMHB for college, it has been an adventure I never could have dreamed of to serve God now all over the world.”
One common theme that unites Merritt’s career is telling the stories of others. Whether she’s leading conferences, praying with victims of ethical conflicts or sending out email notices to BWA connections, Merritt is sharing stories.
“Every person has a story, and it is a privilege to be invited into it,” she said. “Jesus was such a gifted storyteller, so it’s a joy to join Him in that impactful work. I hope to keep telling stories for years to come.”
Merritt currently lives in Brenham where she gets “far too easy access to Blue Bell Ice Cream,” with her husband—a fellow Crusader—and their three children.
