ESL Student Tutor to Global Servant Leader: The Journey of Matthew Johnston

At Dallas Baptist University, stories of transformation, calling, and global impact are more than anecdotes—they are testimonies of lives shaped by Christ-centered servant leadership. Matthew Johnston, a 2012 graduate with an MA in Global Leadership with a specialization in TESOL, is one such story, woven with faith, cultural engagement, and a lifelong commitment to literacy and service.

Matthew's journey began in a Christian home where he accepted Christ at a young age through the influence of his second-grade teacher. "Though I was saved by grace, I tried to live by works," he reflects. Over time, God nurtured in him a deeper understanding of grace—for himself and others.

Matthew started his graduate studies at DBU in 2010, discovering a rich community of professors and peers passionate about ministry and marketplace service. He fondly remembers guest speakers who integrated faith into their professional lives, and professors who encouraged servant leadership.

On campus, he was involved in a missions prayer group and began tutoring international students in ESL—an experience that sparked his lifelong passion for cross-cultural engagement. One of his favorite memories is an international Thanksgiving celebration that embodied community and diversity.

After graduation, a DBU connection led Matthew and his wife to Guilin, Guangxi, China, where they spent two years teaching English at a university. Since returning to Dallas, Matthew has continued to teach ESL in community colleges, nonprofits, and even as an adjunct in DBU's online courses. Whether in Asia or Texas, his commitment to empowering others through education remains unwavering.

Most recently, Matthew has been deeply involved with Literacy Connexus, where he helps lead training efforts for ESL volunteers. He co-developed and helped publish a foundational training resource titled, Teaching English ConneXus (TECs) Training Manual: Engaging English Learners 101. This manual complements the training sessions he facilitates and is designed especially for church volunteers and individuals passionate about serving English learners in faith-based contexts. "There is certainly more work to be done to improve and update this manual—it will always be a work in progress—but I hope it will be a helpful tool," Matthew shares.

He sees this not as a final product, but as part of an ongoing mission to empower volunteers with tools to better serve their communities through literacy and relationship.

Matthew credits DBU for laying the spiritual and professional groundwork for his calling. "The education was top-notch, but it's the foundation of Christlike servant leadership that has stuck with me the most," he says. His innovative ESL course Language Learning through Leadership and Service is a testament to this, combining project-based learning with servant leadership principles and community impact.

He names Dr. Bob Garrett as a particularly impactful mentor during his time at DBU, whose encouragement and guidance helped shape his academic and ministry path.

To current students and recent graduates, Matthew offers this timeless advice: "Remember that any career can be a calling and ministry if you abide in Christ daily and seek to serve others." And to his younger self at graduation, he would say: "Pray more and worry less. Trust that God knows more than you—and He has a great plan."

Married in 2013 and now a proud father of three, Matthew counts his family among his greatest blessings. As he continues to serve communities through ESL and faith-based literacy, he remains a shining example of DBU's mission in action.