When Mike Johnson suddenly grabbed the Speaker’s gavel in late 2023, the world didn't just start looking at his voting record. They started looking at his house. His bank account. His family. And, pretty quickly, everyone started Googling Onward Christian Counseling Services LLC, the business run by his wife, Kelly Johnson.
It’s one of those things that sounds like a dry financial disclosure detail until you actually look into what the company does and why it sparked such a massive conversation. Honestly, it’s a mix of business, religion, and the kind of cultural politics that get people really heated.
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What Exactly is Onward Christian Counseling Services LLC?
Kelly Johnson is a licensed pastoral counselor. She isn't just a "political spouse" who shows up for photos; she’s been running this LLC for years in Louisiana. Essentially, the business provides Christian-based counseling for individuals, couples, and families.
But it’s not just a standard therapy office.
The LLC is deeply rooted in the Johnsons' specific brand of faith. If you’ve heard the term "covenant marriage," you’re already in the right ballpark. Mike and Kelly Johnson have one of these—it’s a legally distinct type of marriage in Louisiana that makes it much harder to get a divorce. You basically have to go through intense counseling before you can even think about splitting up. Kelly’s work through her LLC often mirrors these values, focusing on biblically-based solutions to life’s problems.
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The Controversy That Hit the Headlines
You’ve probably seen the articles. Right after Mike Johnson became Speaker, the website for Onward Christian Counseling Services LLC suddenly vanished. Like, 404 error, gone overnight.
Why the disappearing act?
Well, the internet archive (Wayback Machine) showed that the site previously listed some pretty controversial views. Critics pointed out that the counseling services were linked to beliefs that many associate with "conversion therapy"—a practice that tries to change a person's sexual orientation or gender identity.
The Johnsons have always been open about their traditional views. But once you’re second in line to the Presidency, "traditional" gets a lot of scrutiny. The LLC became a lightning rod. People weren't just asking about her business; they were asking if her business’s views were reflected in the Speaker’s legislative priorities.
The Financial Disclosure Mystery
Here’s where it gets kinda weird for a business article.
Most people expect high-ranking politicians to be loaded. We’re used to seeing millions in stock options and complicated REITs. But when Mike Johnson filed his financial disclosures, he listed "none" under assets.
Wait. What?
Specifically, he didn’t list a bank account. Now, the Speaker’s office eventually cleared this up, saying he has a bank account, but it doesn't earn enough interest to trigger the mandatory disclosure threshold. Still, it made people look even closer at Onward Christian Counseling Services LLC.
- The Business Structure: It’s an LLC (Limited Liability Company).
- The Non-Profit Side: There’s also a sister organization called Onward Christian Education Services, Inc.
- The Revenue: ProPublica’s Nonprofit Explorer showed the nonprofit side brought in about $127,000 in 2023. Not exactly "shady billionaire" money, but it’s a real, functioning entity.
Why This LLC Matters in 2026
We’re a couple of years into Mike Johnson’s high-profile leadership now. The initial shock of the website disappearing has faded, but the business itself remains a case study in how "private" family businesses are never actually private for people in power.
Kelly Johnson’s LLC isn't just about making a living. It represents a specific worldview—one that emphasizes pastoral care over secular psychology. For their supporters, it’s a badge of honor. For their detractors, it’s a red flag about the separation of church and state.
Practical Insights: What You Should Know
If you're researching this because you're interested in the intersection of politics and small business disclosures, there are a few real-world takeaways:
- Transparency is a moving target. What was a private counseling practice in Shreveport became a matter of national security and ethics overnight. If you're a spouse of a public official, your LLC is public property.
- Digital footprints are forever. Deleting a website doesn't delete the content. The Internet Archive is the first place journalists look when a site goes dark.
- Pastoral vs. Clinical. There is a big legal and professional difference between a "Licensed Professional Counselor" (LPC) and a "Pastoral Counselor." Kelly Johnson's LLC operates in the latter space, which is governed more by religious standards than state medical boards in many jurisdictions.
At the end of the day, Onward Christian Counseling Services LLC tells us more about the Johnsons' personal convictions than any campaign speech ever could. It’s a small-town business that got caught in the middle of a big-time political earthquake.
For those looking into the ethics of such businesses, keep an eye on the annual Form 990 filings for the nonprofit arm. They provide the most consistent paper trail for how the organization actually operates and where its funding comes from.