On June 14, St. Matthews Baptist Church voted to extend a call to Brian Johnson as our next Minister to Students. He happily accepted the church’s offer and will begin his ministry here July 15.
This was the culmination of a great deal of work by our Minister to Students Search Committee. For many months they met and prayed together, seeking the Lord’s leadership in this process. After considering many candidates, the pool was narrowed to three who came to Louisville to meet with the Committee and church staff. While all three were experienced and accomplished, the Committee voted unanimously to present Brian to the church.
David Short, chair of the Search Committee, noted, “Brian has a passion for working with youth—connecting with them, helping them grow, listening to their troubles, and making church real to them. From his very first visit, the youth on our committee felt drawn to him. He was humorous, energetic, and well-versed in topics that are important to teens.”
Brian is a graduate of Wake Forest University and Campbell University Divinity School. He comes to us with more than 13 years of experience in working with students in a local church. He is presently in his ninth year of service as Pastor of Youth and Spiritual Formation at Ball Camp Baptist Church in Knoxville, Tennessee.
Brian and Emily have recently celebrated their tenth wedding anniversary. While he is a native of North Carolina, she grew up mostly in Kentucky. Emily graduated from University of Kentucky and now works as a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner. Brian and Emily have one son, Zachary, who was born in January of 2014.
Please be in prayer for Emily and Brian as they make this transition. He will finish his work in Knoxville July 12. They plan to move here on the 13th and, two days later, Brian will fly to Greensboro to be with our students at Passport Camp.
Please also be in prayer for the folks at Ball Camp Baptist Church. Over the last nine years, Brian and Emily have made a difference in the lives of many there, and now the students, leaders, and others will begin the same process we are concluding here.
Finally, thanks to our fine Minister of Students Search Committee for their diligent work on our behalf. In addition to David Short, the other members are, Greg Brockman, Micah Fletcher, Lynne Hardin, Susan Harmon, Abby Outlaw, Cynthia Pace, Don Stone, Diane Taylor, and Todd Weber.