Sojournal: Recent Episodes
Tyson Chastain
Each episode features an interview with an alumnus of Johnson University (Tennessee, Florida, Online).
After 19 years away from the Tennessee campus, Eddie Mullins stopped by while his family was vacationing in nearby Pigeon Forge. His visit enabled us to catch up and that interaction on campus led to this podcast interview.
Eddie has experienced the ups and downs of ministry in the local church and it is his journey that will give listeners some food for thought in their own ministry contexts.
Susan (Ogdon, '67, '16) Calderon is a former missionary and Johnson University lecturer in the School of Intercultural Studies. As a retired widow, Susan has joined five other missionary/minister widows to collaborate on the book, "Who Am I Now that He is Not Here?" which was made available on Amazon in February.
Susan is passionate about her faith and helping others find hope and peace through abiding in Christ. She enjoys family and continues to worship and serve in Fountain City Christian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee.
Jeremy ('07) Hobbs is unique among the history of Sojournal podcast guests. He is the first certificate graduate to be featured in the podcast. Jeremy earned an undergraduate certificate in missions from Johnson University in 2007.
After achieving his certificate, Jeremy went on to graduate from East Tennessee State University in 2010 with a bachelor's degree in construction technology.
Today, Jeremy serves as a Senior Pipeline Technician with East Tennessee Natural Gas as he continues his faith journey in his local church and in encouraging ministry works around the world.
Raised on a Christian camp property in Southern Ohio, Justin had a lot of freedom in his formative years. Sometimes his proximity to weeks of camp afforded him opportunities to rub shoulders with Johnson alumni and Johnson travel teams. These, along with the fact that his dad was an alumnus, contributed to Justin becoming a member of Johnson's campus community as a student in the early 2000s.
As Justin puts it, "like all good alumni, I met and married my wife at Johnson University." Although Justin graduated with a focus on media communications, his journey took him into teaching. He currently serves as a teacher of science and social studies for Maryville (TN) City Schools.
Listen in to hear more about Johnson's spiritual, educational, and vocational journey.
After experiencing college life and vocational life in other contexts, Don came to Johnson University to gain a theological foundation. A native of California, Don found a passion for the arts and it is a passion he has carried throughout his career. His musical artistic expression found expression in contexts of television, band directing, worship leading, and more.
Don currently preaches in Pennsylvania and works for a local school where he continues to pour his life into helping students hone their artistic crafts.
Nathan Lawler ministers in Oregon but has experienced life and ministry in a variety of locations throughout the United States. Tune in to this second episode to catch up on Nathan's everchanging ministry journey.
Craig's journey in life started in Illinois and includes various points on the map in the Eastern third of the United States. The son of first-generation Christian parents, Craig's evolution of faith was not without it's challenges.
Craig currently serves as the Senior Minister at Lebanon Christian Church in Lebanon, Indiana. He and his wife (Audrey) have two grown sons, the youngest of whom is a current student at Johnson University.
In this episode, Craig shares some great insights from life and ministry. You will want to hear what he has to say about discipleship.
Originally from Long Island, New York, Tim Hannon currently makes his home in Rochester, New York, where Tim serves the University of Rochester as the Associate Director for Student Conduct.
Tim's journey to Johnson was influenced by James Hamer ('75) and others who served the East Northport Christian Church. He is a graduate of the School of Social and Behavioral Sciences on both the undergraduate and graduate levels.
After serving the McNabb Center in East Tennessee, Tim worked for the University of Tennessee before returning to his home state to serve the University of Rochester.
For the first episode of the Sojournal podcast for 2024, we learn of Tim's journey to Christ, to Johnson, and to his various vocational stops on his adult sojourn.
This episode is just a brief thank you to everyone who made 2023 a great year on the Sojournal Podcast and for everyone who made 2023 a great year at Johnson University.
This episode features snippets of several students who introduced themselves and offered personal notes of gratitude.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all of you who are part of the Sojournal audience.
Raised in the nearby community of Seymour, Tennessee, Phil Arlinghaus has always been familiar with Johnson but never really considered it as an option for higher education until circumstances led him back to the area and he learned about Johnson's degree in media communications.
Today, Phil is married, lives in Seymour, and works as the Operations Manager for Joy 620 WRJZ in Knoxville, Tennessee.
Mike Householder is involved in a variety of initiatives, but his passion is making disciples through a tool he has developed and deployed around the world. A community boy, Michael was associated with Johnson through camp and as a non-student participant on a musical traveling team.
Listen in to learn about the variety of projects that have Mike's attention as well as the special opportunity to support Johnson while purchasing everyday products.
Left unsharpened, tools grow dull. Dr. Overdorf helps preachers and public speakers sharpen their skills with 52 weeks worth of lessons from his book, "One Year to Better Preaching." Today's final conversation in this 4-part series focuses on five more exercises for preachers to consider:
- Go to Work With a Church Member
- Employ Purposeful Humor
- Preach in Dialogue
- Write for the Ear
- Bonus: Peruse the Newspaper
Left unsharpened, tools grow dull. In each episode of this 4-part series, Dr. Daniel Overdorf discusses five exercises preachers (or anyone involved in public speaking) can use to sharpen their communication skills.
In this episode, Dr. Overdorf shares lessons on expanding your multi-cultural awareness, designing careful transitions, crafting evocative words, considering the text's literary form, and incorporating testimony.
All of these lessons come from Dr. Overdorf's book "One Year to Better Preaching: 52 Exercises to Hone your Skills." This book and others written by Dr. Overdorf are available Here on Amazon.com.
Dr. Daniel Overdorf, a 1995 graduate of Johnson University, currently serves on the school's preaching faculty. Experienced in pastoral ministry himself, Dr. Overdorf has written a few books on the subject of preaching and pastoral care.
Today is part 2 of a 4-part series on lessons learned from Dr. Overdorf's book, One Year to Better Preaching: 52 Exercises to Hone Your Skills. This book is not just for preachers. Many of the exercises contained in this book would be beneficial to anyone who is involved in public speaking or teaching. Listen in to see what lessons you might learn from Dr. Overdorf.
If you are interested in obtaining a copy of Dr. Overdorf's book, you can find it on Amazon at https://www.amazon.com/One-Year-Better-Preaching-Exercises/dp/0825439108.
Dr. Daniel Overdorf, a 1995 graduate of Johnson University, currently serves on the school's preaching faculty. Experienced in pastoral ministry himself, Dr. Overdorf has written a few books on the subject of preaching and pastoral care.
As a service to our alumni, we have decided to start offering more than just alumni life interviews on the Sojournal podcast. We want to learn from our alumni and especially from those who are faculty members at Johnson or elsewhere.
Today's episode marks the first of a 4-part series on lessons learned from Dr. Overdorf's book, One Year to Better Preaching: 52 Exercises to Hone Your Skills. This book is not just for preachers. Many of the exercises contained in this book would be beneficial to anyone who is involved in public speaking or teaching. Listen in to see what lessons you might learn from Dr. Overdorf.
If you are interested in obtaining a copy of Dr. Overdorf's book, you can find it on Amazon at https://www.amazon.com/One-Year-Better-Preaching-Exercises/dp/0825439108.
Most of Peter (’95) Ramsey’s life and vocational journey involves various points on the Florida map. A native of South Daytona, most of Pete’s early faith development was in South Daytona Christian Church. He especially credits the influence of Bobby Smith as a key contributor to Pete's faith and a key encourager of Pete's choice to attend the Florida campus.
Pete says, "I NEVER wanted to be a senior pastor or preacher...like the main guy." However, Pete currently serves as the lead minister of Englewood Christian Church in Jacksonville, Florida, where he has found a perfect fit for vocational ministry.
Listen in to this episode of the Sojournal podcast and learn about Pete's stops along the journey and his advice to others in church leadership.
A native of Central Indiana, Jill grew in her faith as a member of Bethany Christian Church in Anderson. She credits the church's excellent discipleship emphasis as one of the reasons she grew to possess a well grounded faith. Under the influence of such well-known Johnson alumni such as Lanis ('48) Kineman, David ('68) Woods, and Larry ('73) Kineman, it is no wonder Jill came to Christ and grow deeply in her Christian faith.
After time at Indiana University, Jill came to Johnson to grow in her Christian apologetic. She has taken her faith journey around the world with her most recent and enduring host country being New Zealand.
Listen in to hear about Jill's "three signs" and more!
A native of Pennsylvania, Dave Trout encountered Christ as a teenager thanks to the influence of his older sister and the ministry of Greg ('84) Pelc at Hempfield Church of Christ.
Although Dave graduated with a focus on Preaching, his ministry journey has been anything but traditional. While Dave has experience as an associate minister and senior minister, he never settled into a long-term ministry. Instead, Dave discovered his calling as a songwriter and a teacher. While exercising these gifts in his local church, Dave has worked for the last 10 years with PNC Bank.
It was Dave's most recent musical release that inspired us to reach out to him for an interview. You can catch a snipped of this song, Rejoice, toward the end of our interview. If you would like to know more about David's music...including the opportunity to download the sheet music for your own worship setting, please visit his website at https://www.davetroutmusic.com/.
1994 graduate Matthew Sullivan can easily be described as a committed man. The son of an evangelist, Matt gave his life to Christ in his early teens and witnessed his father's ministry efforts in various congregations and ministries in the eastern half of the United States. He credits a Larry ('68) Green prayer as the tipping point to selecting Johnson for ministry preparation.
Matt is married to Tina (Willhite, '95) and they have four sons. Most of the family's life and ministry has been spent in Shoals, Indiana, where Matthew has served as the preaching minister of Sholes Christian Church since 2002.
Joe graduated from Johnson University Tennessee with a B.A. in Preaching and Church Leadership in 2007, after which he completed an M.Div. at Lincoln Christian Seminary and a Ph.D. in Religious Studies at Marquette University. Joe is the author of “Divine Scripture in Human Understanding: A Systematic Theology of the Christian Bible” (University of Notre Dame Press, 2019).
Joe joined the faculty of Johnson University Florida in 2015 and currently teaches a variety of theology and biblical studies courses on the Tennessee campus.
In this episode, Joe shares about the courses he teaches and offers us a few lessons to guide our own spiritual journeys.
A return visitor to the Sojournal Podcast, Dr. Jody (MA '95) Owens joins us for a special episode. Today, we leave the spiritual journey behind (sorta) and focus on Jody's journey to teaching and we learn some lessons from the classes Jody teaches. We also talk about Jody's special passion for Spiritual Formation and learn about ways for people to get involved in one of Jody's spiritual retreats.
Listen in to today's lessons from Dr. Jody Owens. Learn more about the spiritual retreats and other resources Jody has to offer by visiting https://www.jodylowens.com/.
Originally a resident of northeastern Ohio, Deborah works as an English teacher in an international location. She counts herself blessed to be a part of the "great class of 1976" (even though we kept saying '72 in the podcast). Haha! She actually continued her education by gaining a master's degree from Lincoln, another in TESOL from Azusa Pacific.
She is the daughter of a fruit farmer (father) and nurse (mother). She welcomed the opportunity to get away from the farm to go to college. She chose Johnson because she heard Dr. David Eubanks preach during an evangelistic meeting in northeast, Ohio. His preaching compelled her and she came to Johnson sight unseen.
Listen in to today's episode to follow Deborah on her journey from Ohio to Tennessee and around the world.
Alex Weiss grew up in a variety of locations throughout the eastern half of the United States. He is married and they recently welcomed their first child, a daughter. His father was employed by Christian Homes and this contributed to his family's movement. His childhood was spent in the Midwest and deep south.
Currently a resident of the larger Louisville, Kentucky, metropolitan area, Alex works as a litigation specialist but spends considerable time on the side pursuing the use of the media communication skills he gained as a part of his undergraduate degree at Johnson. Listen in to find out about Alex's journey to his current vocation and the doors that are opening for Alex to use his media communication degree for the kingdom.
My conversation with Troy and Kathy Thornburg went so long that we decided to make their interview into two parts. Part 1, published two weeks ago, focused on Troy and Kathy's childhood journeys and their experience at Johnson. Today's episode shifts to the vocational journey and life lessons learned by the Thornburg family since leaving the University.
Of particular interest is Troy's experience with depression and their family's journey toward adoption. Together, Troy and Kathy have learned some powerful lessons about life, ministry, and God's sovereignty over it all.
Learn more about Troy and Kathy on their personal website.
About Troy and Kathy: https://www.kathythornburg.com/about-us
About the Adoption Journey: https://www.kathythornburg.com/adoption
Interviewing couples for the Sojournal podcast is a lot of fun. However, sometimes it results in so much content that making cuts are difficult. Instead of cutting this episode short, we decided to make this a 2-part episode. Part 1 focuses on Troy and Kathy's lives from childhood through their Johnson University experience. Part 2 will focus on their journey in life and ministry and will spend some time considering the family's current efforts to adopt a child.
Learn more about the family and their adoption journey:
- About the Family
- About the Adoption Journey
Dr. Alligood is Professor Emeritus, College of Nursing, East Carolina University. She holds a diploma in nursing from Good Samaritan School of Nursing, bachelor of sacred literature (BSL) from Johnson University, BSN from University of Virginia, MS with a major in nursing from The Ohio State University, and PhD in nursing science from New York University.
Martha played a key role in the formation of Johnson's current pre-nursing/nursing program and currently serves on the Board of Trustees at Johnson University.
Jody England is a 1999 graduate of Johnson's Tennessee campus where he studied Youth Ministry and Christian Education. He and his wife, Beth ('98) live in Cicero, Indiana, with their two high schoolers. They also have two older married children.
Jody's journey to faith and ministry was heavily influenced by Beth as well as a local Methodist church and a local Christian camp. Jody works for International Disaster Emergency Service (IDES) as the GAP (God Always Provides) Director in which he coordinates the packing and distribution of nutritional meals for impoverished communities throughout the world.
Listen in to Jody's journey from Arsenal Technical High School (Indianapolis) to IDES, and all the stops in between.
Born and raised in Kentucky and Indiana, Sarah found her way to Johnson due to the influence of her brother, Josh ('03). It was her brother's spiritual awakening at Johnson that inspired Sarah to follow the Lord's calling through preparation on the Tennessee campus.
Like her brother, Sarah developed a passion for missions and a desire to serve the Lord cross culturally. Through various circumstances, Sarah found herself returning to her hometown of Flemingsburg, Kentucky, and working as the Director for the Kentucky Regional Prevention Center in nearby Maysville.
Sara met her husband, Aaron, after graduation and they have a 2-year old daughter.
Listen in to Sarah's story of faith development that included the challenge of losing a beloved family member and adapting to unique circumstances of motherhood.
After graduating from Johnson Bible College in 1982, Brent went on to serve as a youth minister, high school teacher, missionary, and 20-year faculty member at Johnson University. He is married to Jondra and they have three children and two grandchildren.
The journey of life and ministry is full of twists, turns, and opportunities. Tune in to hear about Brent and Jondra's journey through Johnson and a variety of ministry initiatives, including incarnational ministry to international students.
After a less than fulfilling career in engineering related vocations, Joe Heins' found an ignited passion for ministry and made his way to Johnson University to study for the preaching vocation. A 2011 graduate, Joe went on to enjoy a 7-year ministry with Auburn Church of Christ in Auburn, Indiana. His talents for leadership and administration caught the attention of the Board of Directors for Woodburn (IN) Christian Children's Home where he has served as Executive Director since 2016.
Joe is married to Vikki (30-years) and they are blessed with four children and four grandchildren.
Listen to today's episode to hear how God led Joe out of a lucrative engineering vocation toward the practical ministry of preaching.
Kellie Spencer has a unique relationship with the Florida campus. It started in childhood as the daughter of Doyle ('83) and Diane ('06) Adams. Dolye is a former Florida Christian College trustee who graduated from Central Florida Bible College. Diane is a current Johnson University Florida employee who graduated from Florida Christian College. Kellie is a graduate and former employee of both Florida Christian College and Johnson University.
Many students who attend the Florida campus also attend Kissimmee Christian Church where Kellie is employed as the Events & Graphics Coordinator while also supporting her husband's (Lance, '11) work with the student ministry of Kissimmee Christian Church.
Kellie is a passionate servant and loving daughter. I'm sure you will be blessed by her time as a guest on this episode of the Sojournal.
Troy Stanley is a 2-time graduate of Johnson University Florida. His first degree was with the LEAD degree program for adults followed a short time later by a graduate degree in Strategic Ministry through Johnson University's partnership with Real Life Christian Church.
Before getting involved in ministry, Troy served in the family construction and contracting business as well as an extended tour of duty with the United States Navy. Troy currently minsters with First Christian Cocoa Beach, Florida.
Welcome to the 100th episode of the Sojournal podcast! It has been quite a journey over the last couple years as we have interviewed alumni and leaders from both campuses of Johnson University. If you are like me, we have learned a great deal about how God works in unique ways to bring people to Christ and lead them in submission to His good kingdom purposes.
Our 50th episode featured Dr. David Eubanks (former faculty, president on the Tennessee campus, and provost of the Florida campus). To honor the 100th episode, we are blessed to welcome Dr. L. Thomas "Tommy" Smith into the studio. From Dr. Smith, we learn about what it is like to be raised in "upper east Tennessee" under the influence of distinguished alumni like Tommy ('69) Oaks and L. D. ('65) Campbell. We also learn about his journey in college and in ministry before landing as a faculty member on the Tennessee campus in 1989. Tommy shares what it was like to be a president whose whole direction and strategic plan shifted during the global pandemic.
I was incredibly blessed to have him as a guest and I know you will be blessed to listen in on our conversation.
Laura (Roberts) Rios studied TESOL at Johnson University as a Teacher Education student. Her journey has taken her to TESOL opportunities domestically and internationally. She currently serves with the public school system in a suburb of Columbus, Ohio.
Her journey has faced several challenges. In particular, she is currently working through issues related to cancer. Listen to the journey and consider the hopefulness in her voice as she continues to courageously face the future.
After completing his undergraduate degree in preaching from Johnson University, Jamin found a passion for chaplaincy. This passion led him to service in a variety of public service areas as well as with Corporate Chaplains of America.
Currently, Jamin serves as a Navy chaplain and is passionate about being a voice of hope and encouragement to the men and women who serve in the United States military.
After you listen to Jamin's journey, go back and hear what his wife, Crystal (Vu) Bailey had to say in her interview last year.
A former baseball player turned public address announcer, Tyler currently serves as the play-by-play voice for his local college while working at Green Gridiron.
Between his employment duties, Tyler also hosts his own video podcast focused on a variety of hot sports topics.
From Hawaii to the heartland of central Indiana, Randall Tonini found Christ during his high school years thanks to the influence of Johnson alumni. Laura Tonini began life in the northeastern United States but found her spiritual formation in East Tennessee due in large part to the influence of her alumni aunt and uncle and Johnson alumni who served at Smoky Mountain Christian Camp.
Their ministry journey has taken then from the east coast (Savannah, Georgia) to the west coast (San Diego, California). Neither of them thought they would end up in church planting on the west coast, but that is where the Lord is using their gifts to reach the diverse communities of southern California.
In today's episode, learn about Randall and Laura's journey and the well know alumni who influenced them along the way.
Born and raised in Williamsburg, Kentucky, Tyler grew up in a house of faith. Passionate about baseball during his youth, Tyler found his way to Johnson University as a baseball player. He wanted the Christian college experience but welcomed the opportunity to continue playing the game that he loved.
As a graduate of Johnson's undergraduate business administration program, Tyler was interested in obtaining an MBA and is currently working on this degree while working as the part-time Assistant Director of Alumni Relations with Johnson University. Tyler's focus is on building relationships with young alumni.
Born in southern California, Ben moved to south Florida when he was two years old and spend mots of his childhood in Ocala. He earned a a B.A. in Bible and Youth & Family Ministry from Johnson University Florida (formerly Florida Christian College) and followed up that academic journey with an M.A. in Intercultural Studies from Lincoln Christian University in 2014.
Ben and his family live in St. Augustine, Florida, where he serves as the lead pastor of Homeport Christian Church.
This brief episode features comments shared during a few of the episodes during 2022. We will hear snippets from Mark Nelson, Joe Gordon, Laura McKillip Wood, Michal Ruth Penwell, Don Wallace, Andrew Frazier, Caleb Mullins, Lee Faust, and David Eubanks.
The snippets are brief but their comments are insightful. I hope they will remind you of some of the challenges presented buy 2022 Sojournal guests and also encourage you to persevere in your sojourn of faith.
Barb and Clay Miazza reside on the south side of Knoxville, but Barb was raised on Long Island, New York. The daughter of a Irish-Catholic father and English mother, Barb's entire religious journey was as a member of the Christian Church near her Long Island home.
After a year in community college, Barb attended Johnson through her senior year but she did not graduate from Johnson. Listen to the podcast to learn what prevented her graduation and how the Lord directed Barbara to service in educational settings of great need.
Jared Holland, a.k.a. Tom Morgan, is the host of "Morgan in the Morning" for 99.7 WCYK in Charlottesville, Virginia. He got his start in radio by working for the former WJBC radio station on the campus of Johnson University and then moved into the local radio market with WOKI and WIVK in Knoxville, Tennessee.
Now in his second stint with 99.7 CYK, Jared also serve as a voice actor. He is married to 2009 graduate Michelle (Brown) Holland but didn't meet her until well after the completion of his undergraduate degree.
Want to see the video mentioned in the podcast? Contact Tyson Chastain at Johnson University.
Florida native, Shawn Smith, is a 2000 graduate of Florida Christian College (now Johnson University Florida). He earned both M.A. and M.Div. degrees at Lincoln Christian University, where he was employed as the Registrar through May 2022. Now, Shawn serves Johnson University Tennessee as the University Registrar.
Learn about Shawn's journey and his family connections in Christian higher education.
Chris Beard is a two-time graduate of Johnson University without ever having spent class time on campus. He is a graduate of Johnson's online MA in New Testament as well as the first-ever graduate of Johnson's online Ph.D. program in Leadership Studies. He now serves the University as the Dean of the Ph.D. program and operates out of his home base in Oklahoma.
Born and raised in Oklahoma, Chris attend Ozark Christian College in Joplin, Missouri, and spent significant time in vocational ministry. He is now enjoying life on the homestead and continuing his passion for Christian higher education through his work as a Dean.
Today's brief episode is a compilation of Directors in the Advancement Office at Johnson University. Each one offers a brief note of what they are especially grateful for this year.
On behalf of everyone who keeps the Sojournal podcast going, we wish to express a heartfelt Happy Thanksgiving! We pray you enjoy family, friends, and love of the Heavenly Father this holiday season.
Harold Keck is an adjunct faculty member at Johnson University Tennessee, the lead minister of the nearby Seymour Heights Christian Church, and the current President of the Alumni Association. Listen in to hear about Harold's ministry journey, passion for people, and his plans for Homecoming 2023.
Harold and Missy (Hudnall, '85) Keck have two sons; Nathan and Zeb. Harold is an Indiana boy at heart and enjoys a variety of hobbies including a little golf and cheering on the Indiana University Hoosiers.
Long-time listeners of the Sojournal podcast will know how rarely we host a current student as a guest on the podcast. We've done it three times now. The first was with Noah Pryor ('25) as a part of a series featuring the Pryor family. The second was with former Sojournal podcast editor, Sam Cunningham ('23). Today, we welcome the new Sojournal podcast editor, Lena Gavorski.
Born in Ohio but raised in Greenwood, Indiana, Lena grew up in a Christian home. After a brief stint in community college, Lena joined the Johnson family in the fall of 2022. Listen in to Lena's journey and stick around for her insightful answer to the final question.
If you would like to send a note of encouragement to Lena, you can mail your greeting to:
Lena Gavorski, Sojournal editor
7900 Johnson Drive
Knoxville, TN 37998
Lee is a Kentucky blue blood. That is, he is from the Bluegrass State, was raised to love basketball, and currently ministers just outside of the Kentucky basketball kingdom of Lexington.
Lee was influenced by several individuals that brought him to faith, to Johnson, to ministry, and to a variety of kingdom-impacting service projects. Listen to his deep thoughts on theology and life as he shares his journey with us on the Sojournal.
On Thursday, we will drop the full episode of my interview with Lee Faust. Lee is the preaching minister at Jessamine Christian Church in Nicholasville, Kentucky. He gave a lot of great content during our interview and so, rather than sacrifice some of the content, we decided to give you a bonus episode. So, here is a segment removed from Thursday's full interview.
After spending her early years in Pennsylvania, Laura spent her youth in various congregational settings as her father spent time in ministry in a variety of congregations. As she grew, she encountered Johnson University through the witness of Johnson alumni and the reputation of Johnson's teacher education program.
Laura earned her BA in Intercultural Studies and has spent time as a kingdom servant in various European countries. She currently serves alongside her husband in Japan.
Blair came to Johnson from a strong and faithful family. After he identified Johnson as the place he wanted to attend for vocational ministry preparation, his father (Greg Wilgus - '99) also decided to join the journey.
During his time at Johnson, Blair discovered a passion for teaching thanks to the influence of distinguished faculty members such as David Reece, Jody Owens, and others. Blair went on to graduate studies at Lincoln Christian Seminary in Lincoln, Illinois, and completed the Ph.D. in Edinburgh, Scotland.
Now an employee with Hope International University, Blair serves as the Chair of the Online Undergraduate Ministry Program and Professor of Biblical Studies.
Joe Mueller came to Johnson University due, in large part, to the influence of well-known Johnson University alumni. toward Johnson by the Wingfield family. Charles ('60), the former senior minister of First Christian Church in Florissant, Missouri, set the initial example during Joe's younger years as a member of that congregation.
Joe spend his formative years in Raleigh, North Carolina, where he attended Cary Christian Church (now The Point). A trip to Haiti during his high school years inspired Joe's faith transformation and, after a year of study at North Carolina State University, ultimately led Joe to pursue ministry education at Johnson University. Tim ('87) Wingfield, the former Director of Undergraduate Admissions, recruited Joe to study in Knoxville, Tennessee.
Learn more about Joe's journey, his family, and his current passions as a faculty member at Manhattan Christian College in Manhattan, Kansas.
A musician and a lead minister, Caleb Mullins is a 2018 graduate of Johnson University who lives in Knoxville, Tennessee. Through this episode, we learn that life does not always go according to plan. Caleb shares his personal challenges and God's faithfulness through it all.
If you are in the Knoxville area, make plans to attend the album release party for Kaleb Mullins and The Witness at the Concourse on October 13.
A native of Ohio, Mark found his way to Johnson University due in part to the influence of Johnson alumni. Originally on a path to be a preacher, Mark discovered a love for learning and continued his theological education at Southern Baptist Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. His vocational career as an educator began at Louisville Bible College before he received a call to teach Old Testament at Dallas Christian College, where he has served for more than 30 years.
Zachary Korff ('06) has spent all but his college years as a resident of Indiana. Raised in Greenfield, Indiana, Zach came to Johnson due to the influence of his home church minister, Russ Jarvis ('79).
Zach is married to Jessica (Hanze, '05) Korff and they are residents of Huntingburg, Indiana, where Zach serves as the Minister of Central Christian Church.
Those who remember Zach as a student at Johnson University Tennessee will remember his passion for the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and his entertaining personality. From "Coming out of his Shell" on WJBC radio to playing father to the Prodigal Son in Godspell, Zach styles himself as the "ministainer." He says, "I'm a minister, and I'm an entertainer. If life's got you down, and you need a good laugh, I'm the guy you need to see."
This week, the full episode of the Sojournal will drop on Wednesday. However, before that episode drops, we wanted to offer this segment extracted from the full interview. Zach shares how he reconciles a loving and benevolent God with walking with a loved one through a challenging journey.
The original interview with Patrick and Kristen Riecke was much longer than the final episode we published on Monday. Some of the content was just too good to leave off and so we wanted to offer you this special segment featuring Patrick and Kristen's response to a question we asked them about the books that they have published to help those who are hurting.
Whether you or someone you know has experienced the pain of miscarriage or stillbirth, or you or someone you know is facing the uncertainties related to end of life issues, Patrick and Kristen have published works intended to help others through these seasons of life.
Learn more about the books and Patrick's services as a speaker on these sort of topics by going to PatrickRiecke.com or SpeakerPatrick.com. Their books are also available on Amazon and can be found by searching for "Patrick Riecke."
Patrick and Kristen Riecke are both Indiana natives who grew up in similar faith-related family circumstances. They met at Johnson and it was their common ground that led them to one another and set the foundation for their future lives as husband and wife.
The Rieckes serve the Kingdom in Ft. Wayne, Indiana, where they are both involved in the difficult work of hospital chaplaincy with Parkview Health. Patrick is the Director of Dignity and Spiritual Care while Kristen leads bereavement efforts at Parkview Health, guiding support groups for bereaved parents.
While their careers are focused on helping people deal with the difficult topic of death and dying, they both live their lives full of joy and gratitude for every day of life. They are blessed with four children on earth and one child in heaven. It is the one in heaven that is their daily motivation for the great family relationships they enjoy today and their efforts to bring comfort and consolation to those experiencing the trials related to end-of-life issues.
While not a personal graduate of Johnson University, Brandon has taken some graduate-level courses with the school and is married to alumna Jamie (Whittemore, '07) Perry.
Doors to ministry and coaching opened in unique ways for Brandon throughout his journey. When he received the opportunity to be the head men's basketball coach at Johnson University, it was not a position he pursued but rather a door he walked through when offered the chance.
Through coaching, Brandon has found a way to impact lives for the Gospel through community with a "band of brothers" he coaches in basketball and in life.
Listen in to Brandon's journey from would-be baseball prospect to NCCAA National Championship coach (2021) and 2018 NCCAA Coach of the Year.
The guest for Monday's episode of the Sojournal podcast is Brandon Perry. Brandon serves Johnson University Tennessee as the Athletic Director and Head Men's Basketball Coach.
In this extended preview, we cut out a segment from Monday's 1-hour episode to give you a glimpse of Brandon's heart and perspective when it comes to ministry as a basketball coach.
If you find yourself challenged by what Brandon has to offer in this preview, you will definitely want to hear the rest of our conversation on Monday.
After serving the University in admissions and registrar roles, Andrew is now the Vice President for Student Life and Dean of Students at Johnson University. He slides into the seat formerly held by 32-year Johnson University stalwart, David Legg.
Andrew grew up in suburban Atlanta in a faith-focused home. While he could have chosen a college closer to his hometown, he wanted to go to the college of his youth minister (JU graduate Weldon Davis, '04). Partially motivated by the enrollment of Andrew's brother just a year earlier, Andrew came to Johnson University in 2009 to study Media Communications.
A switch over to Nonprofit Management in 2011 put Andrew on a career path on the administrative side of higher education at Johnson University. Listen in to learn more about the new Dean of Students at Johnson University.
Dr. Bob McGurty is a newly minted graduate of Johnson University's online Ph.D. program in Leadership Studies. During time in the Air Force during his younger adult life, Bob was introduced to faith as a personal relationship with Jesus. Raised in a home where faith was not an important feature of life, Bob found his young adult encounter with authentic Christians to be life changing.
After the Air Force, Dr. McGurty and his family spent time in Bangladesh, the United States, and India as servants of the cause of Christ. Bob currently serves as the President of Calcutta Mercy and continues to spend time impacting lives in the Asia.
You WILL want to listen to this episode to hear Bob's story of how the Lord spared his family during the devastating tsunami that struck Bangladesh during the Christmas holiday in 2004.
Jason Yeatts was raised in Roanoke, Virginia, where he came to know Christ personally at Edgewood Christian Church. His original faith relationship started in the context of the Catholic church. He came to Johnson University as a part of a large contingent of students who enrolled from Edgewood Christian Church in the same year.
Jason married his wife, Tess (Paddock, '05), early in his academic career and they grew up together in their faith and adulthood. Together, they have four children (3 boys, 1 girl).
Jason's ministry journey included stops in Tennessee, Indiana, and Virginia where he currently serves as the lead pastor at East Tenth Street Christian Church in Roanoke Rapids.
The ministry career of David Woods only had a few stops. From his humble ministry beginnings in coal mining country David ultimately served as the lead minister of Park Chapel Christian Church in Greenfield, Indiana, for many years. Since planting the church in 1986, David has spent the balance of his ministry career with this congregation. He currently serves the church as an elder.
David married Cindy (Snow, '68) during their junior year at Johnson.
Drew Mentzer is a 1968 graduate of Johnson University and currently serves as a Trustee of Johnson University. He is married to Judy (Morgan, '67) and they have two children. After his graduation, Drew held ministries in Virginia, Tennessee, and Illinois. After a 22-year ministry with Second Church of Christ in Danville, Illinois, Drew and Judy retired to Oak Ridge, Tennessee, to be closer to family.
Drew continues his involvement in ministry by offering his services as an interim or supply minister for local congregations.
Raised in Huntington, West Virginia, Don grew up in the United Methodist Church tradition through his teens. At 19, he gave his life to the Lord as a result of the influence of his aunt and the influence of JUTN alumnus Steve Martin.
After his academic career at Johnson, Don joined the staff of Poplar Springs Christian Church in King, North Carolina. He has served this congregation in positions including Senior, Associate, and Youth Minister since 1986.
In this final installment of the 2022 Homecoming Review series, we will get the chance to hear brief presentations by Drew Mentzer ('68) and Tim MacSaveny ('05) regarding "A Story that Changed Me." These stories were shared as a part of the Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning sessions of Homecoming and were designed to inspire Homecoming attendees to consider their own stories of God's faithfulness through the uncertainties of life.
In this third part to our Homecoming review series, Bill Wolf shares the thought process behind his Homecoming message delivered on Wednesday, May 20. Bill is an employee at Johnson University where he serves as the dean of the chapel. He and his wife, Betsy, are both members of the Johnson University class of 2003 and have served churches across the United States.
Bill holds a Master of Letters in Theology, Imagination, and the Arts from the University of St. Andrews as well as a Doctorate in Worship Studies from the Robert E. Webber Institute for Worship Studies. Bill is also a published songwriter.
In part two of the three-part Homecoming review series on the Sojournal podcast, Mark Nelson answers the question of how he developed the Homecoming message he delivered on Wednesday evening, April 20, entitled "Telling a Better Story." Following Mark's explanation, Mark's message is played in its entirety.
Today's episode features three guests! Mike Luzadder, Mark Nelson, and Bill Wolf were key players in the formation and production of this year's Homecoming event at Johnson University Tennessee in April. I asked these three gentlemen to join me in a conversation about what went into the development of the Homecoming theme, "The Story of Our Belief," as well as what they took away from the event.
Be looking for the next two episodes of the Sojournal podcast as they will feature a brief question and answer from both Mark and Bill as an introduction to messages they preached during Homecoming. This will be your chance to hear again, or for the first time, the Wednesday morning and Wednesday evening messages.
Buddy Reed is a 1975 graduate of Johnson University Tennessee. Currently a Regional Representative for Johnson University, Buddy enjoys making connections and being an encourager to alumni in his region. His ministry experience has given Buddy a wealth of knowledge that is useful for encouraging others in ministry.
Born and raised in the northern suburbs of Pittsburgh, Tom am a fifth generation Fodi to lay deep roots in this region. Tom and Erin (Hartman, '05) Fodi have spent most of their married lives in and around the northern suburbs. Tom graduated from Northgate High School (Bellevue) convinced he was headed for a life following in the footsteps of his military-serving father. All that changed when he sensed a call along a different path.
Tom walked away from a full-tuition ROTC scholarship to the Virginia Military Institute and transferred as an undergraduate to Johnson University. After obtaining an M.Div. from Emmanuel Christian Seminary, Tom was ordained and served in a variety of professional ministries including service as a commissioned chaplain in the US Air Force.
Currently, Tom is a pastor, father, and civically engaged citizen running for State Representative.
Nick and Christal Haner met and married while students at Johnson University. After ministries in churches from coast to coast and missions work internationally, they are now involved with Ends of the Earth Cycling. Ends of the Earth is a ministry of New International and is focused on fundraising bike rides to support youth ministries around the world.
Every step in ministry has been taken together. Their journey included several personal and ministry related challenges but their faith remains steadfast.
Sam Cunningham is a junior at Johnson University Tennessee studying Music Technology in the School of Communication and Creative Arts. As a music technology student, Sam is the perfect person to have as our new editor on the Sojournal team.
In this week's episode, we have the chance to get to know Sam. He is a third-culture-kid who calls Louisville, Kentucky, his home even though he spent the majority of his formative years growing up in northern Africa. Sam shares his Johnson experience thus far and the circumstances of life that led to his current career path.
This week's episode marks the second time in podcast history that a student will play the role of guest on the podcast. Sam Cunningham is a married student from Louisville, Kentucky. Sam studies in the School of Communication and Creative Arts on the Music Technology program.
Sam is this week's guest as a means of introducing him to the podcast audience as the new editor of the Sojournal podcast. He is a "third-culture-kid" which means that many of Sam's most formative years were spent in a culture other than that of the United States. In this preview he shares his appreciation of the perspective earned from growing up in multiple cultures.
Michal Ruth Penwell served as a missionary for more than eight years. Her call to missions came at they young age of 13 years old. In addition to a Christian life and a missionary focus, Michal is also passionate about art. Throughout her journey, Michal has found plenty of ways to combine her passions for Christ, missions, and art.
In today's episode, we learn of Michal Ruth's journey to faith and her natural choice to follow in her parent's footsteps as a student at Johnson University. We will also learn about Michal Ruth's current work in children's ministry and how she is using art to continue to support people in need around the world.
Michal Ruth Penwell currently serves as a children's minister in Asheville, North Carolina. Before finding her way to this congregational ministry opportunity, Michal Ruth spent time in intercultural settings. One of her countries of service was Thailand where she learned to appreciate the contrast between the rich and the poor.
Kaleb and Emily (Hughes) Smith met and married as students at Johnson University. Their Johnson experience included serving The school as members of summer travel teams.
After graduation, Kaleb and Emily served in local congregational ministry while Emily also served as the Administrative Assistant for Alumni and Church Relations on the Tennessee campus.
Eventually, they both felt the call to continue their education on the graduate level in Strategic Ministry through Johnson University’s partnership with Christ’s Church of the Valley in Peoria, Arizona. They now serve at Emily’s home church, Compassion Christian Church, in Savannah, Georgia.
Kaleb and Emily Smith are both members of the classes of 2017 and 2021. They live in Savannah, Georgia, and work for Compassion Christian Church.
As students, Kaleb and Emily both represented the University, and Jesus Christ, as members of a Johnson University travel team. They both share their experiences of traveling for the school and, in this preview, Kaleb communicates the weight of representing both his savior and his school well.
Laura McKillip Wood, former missionary to Ukraine, now lives in Papillion, Nebraska. She graduated on the Teacher Education program at Johnson University on 1995 and has had a passion for international ministry since she was 9 years old. That passion took her to Puerto Rico and to Ukraine.
Today, Laura serves as an on-call chaplain at Children’s Hospital and Medical Center in Omaha, Nebraska. She and her husband, Andrew, have three teenagers.
During our interview, Laura suggested a couple avenues for support and encouragement of people in Ukraine. In particular she mentioned:
Mulberry International - http://mulberryinternational.org/
Tavriski Christian Institute - https://www.facebook.com/tci.ua
IDES (International Disaster Emergency Service) - https://ides.org/
Laura McKillip Wood comes as a timely guest on the Sojournal podcast as she and her husband are former missionaries and servants to Ukraine. Although they are currently working in the United States, their heart is in Ukraine as they see the devastation caused by the recent Russian invasion of the area in which she worked.
In this preview, Laura shares the origins of her international ministry focus.
Today, Richard Clark sits in the host chair while the usual host becomes the guest. Tyson Chastain is a 2000 and 2007 graduate of Johnson University Tennessee and has served the University in some capacity since 2002. After completing his degree in Bible and Missions in 2000, Tyson and his family spent two years serving the Lord's kingdom in Central America. Various circumstances brought that ministry to a close and led Tyson and his family back to Johnson.
After returning to the United States, Tyson started working for the University while also studying on the graduate level, earning a Master's Degree in New Testament and Preaching in 2007. Since 2002, Tyson has served Johnson in various roles from a web editor to a graduate recruiter and from the Christian Service Coordinator to Director of Church and Alumni Relations.
Tyson Chastain has been a consistent face at Johnson University since first stepping on campus as a freshman in 1995. After his 5-year academic journey and 2-year stint on the mission field, Tyson landed a full-time employment role with Johnson University. It wasn't until adulthood that Tyson, along with his wife and son, found Christ. However, that late arrival to faith did not eliminate the opportunity for Tyson to pursue the preparation for a ministry vocation at Johnson University.
Born in London, England and raised near Detroit, Michigan, Robert Young grew up in the multi-cultural suburb of Dearborn. While his roots are in England and his mother is German, Robert grew up as an American living in a Polish and Muslim community. Now, Robert lives on a prominently Hispanic island in the Caribbean.
As a student, Robert would tell his peers, “I’m never going to be a missionary because I can never afford to raise support. I’m never going to teach in a Christian school because it doesn’t make enough money.” Robert reflects on speaking these words during a devotion and laughs at his audacity to tell God what he wouldn’t do. “Never say never to God,” Robert continued. Now he is in his thirtieth year at Puerto Rico Christian School in Levittown, Toa Baja, Puerto Rico.
Robert graduated from the Teacher Education program (K-8) in 1992 and has spent his entire 30-year teaching career teaching both elementary and high school at Puerto Rico Christian School. Currently, Robert teaches ninth grade literature, history, and grammar. Robert enjoys incorporating biblical values into his teaching; something he can freely do at this private Christian school.
Born near London, England, Robert spent his youth in Dearborn, Michigan. After high school, Robert knew he wanted to be a teacher. His goal was to teach at a public school somewhere in the United States and not at a Christian school somewhere where pay would be less than sufficient. Then he discerned God's call that changed it all.
David grew up in parsonages in Tennessee, Illinois, and Ohio. He graduated from Johnson Bible College (now Johnson University) in 1973, received his Master of Ministry degree in 1985, and received his Master of Arts in Leadership in 2005.
David has served in several local churches as youth minister and senior minister. In 1997, he moved to Knoxville (TN) to become the Campus Minister and a professor in the School of Congregational Ministry at Johnson University. He is also a popular speaker for couple’s retreats and leadership seminars, and he conducts “Grandparenting Matters” one-day seminars for the Legacy Coalition.
David and his wife Cathy have been married for 47 years. They have two grown daughters and are now intentional Christian grandparents to three granddaughters and two grandsons.
A member of the Tennessee campus community for almost 25 years, David is now retired from his role on the faculty at Johnson University. He and his wife, Cathy, now serve in a leadership capacity with Legacy Coalition as they focus on equipping and motivating grandparents to be an influential voice for Christ in the lives of their grandchildren.
Before coming to Johnson, David spent more than twenty years in congregational ministry as a youth minister and pulpit minister. Through his time in the pulpit, David learned that there are times when we need to recognize our limitations and make way for those who can do a job better.
Joe graduated from Johnson University Tennessee with a B.A. in Preaching and Church Leadership in 2007, after which he moved to Lincoln, Illinois, to do a M.Div. at Lincoln Christian Seminary. During his first year there, he met his (future) wife, Charis, while dusting books in the library.
Joe holds a Ph.D. in Religious Studies at Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and is a published author of “Divine Scripture in Human Understanding: A Systematic Theology of the Christian Bible” (University of Notre Dame Press, 2019).
Ordained in the Christian churches and churches of Christ, Joe joined the faculty of Johnson University Florida in 2015 before coming home to Tennessee to join the faculty at his alma mater in 2019.
He is a certified master herpetologist through the Amphibian Foundation and is completing the Southern Appalachian Naturalist Certification Program at the Great Smoky Mountain Institute at Tremont. He spends a lot of time hanging out with and teaching folks about their non-human neighbors in Kimberlin Heights.
Joe Gordon came to Johnson from suburban St. Louis, Missouri, as a member of the youth group at First Christian Church in Florescent. As a freshman student, Joe came to Johnson University thinking he could stop what he perceived to be the misuse of the Bible by so many Christians. It wasn't long before he started to understand why so many people interpret scripture in so many different ways.
Today's interview is with Florida Christian College (now Johnson University Florida) graduate Bob Mehlenbacher. Bob has served the Florida campus as an employee for more than twenty years. Both he and his wife, Jennifer, are graduates of the school and two of their children are currently studying at the school.
Bob's life is full of the twists and turns that God often uses to reveal Himself to His children. Bob credits the presence of the church as the hands and feet of Christ to helping bring his family to faith.
By the way, does anyone know how to stop skating without colliding with the ground, a wall, or lockers? Bob might need your help. Listen to today's episode to find out why.
A native of the New England states, Bob and his family moved to Ft. Lauderdale when he was in elementary school. Being in an area without a family support system proved to present many challenges. However, Bob reflects with gratitude regarding how the local church stepped up to be the hands and feed of God to a family in need.
Mark Nelson began serving as the executive director of Three Rivers Collaborative in January of 2021. Mark planted a faith community called Crossings in downtown Knoxville in 2007, and he served as lead pastor until he began his transition to TRC. In 2019 he co-authored Reframation: Seeing God, People, and Mission through Reenchanted Frames with Alan Hirsch. He serves on the boards of Forge America, Forge Global and Church Partners of the Smokies as well as being a part of the leadership of 100 Movements Publishing. Mark's wife, Dr. Monica Nelson, leads the pre-nursing program at Johnson University and they have three grown children.
Mark Nelson's ministry journey started as a 3-month old playing the baby Jesus in the church where his parents were members. Although he was raised in Christian home and accepted Christ in elementary school, Mark recognizes that his relationship with and understanding of Christ is always growing.
Brian Smith is the current President at Dallas Christian College in Dallas, Texas. His journey to his current role was greatly influenced by his natural academic bent and opportunities presented to him in leadership roles at Florida Christian College (Johnson University Florida).
During the conversation, Brian shared his perspective on the merger between Johnson University and Florida Christian College. He offers a great deal of insight into what was happening behind the scenes and is quick to point out that God's hand was clearly on the entire process.
Brian Smith graduated from Florida Christian College in 2003. Always an academic, Brian became a servant of the Florida campus in several capacities over the years and he was instrumental in the merger with Johnson University. Brian's academic bent was present from the earliest age as he wanted answers to deeper questions about God.
In this preview, Brian shares how the ability to "dig deep" strengthens an individual's search for truth.
Dave Hileman's journey was not always focused on ministry. In fact, there wasn't much about the church that excited him. However, encounters with Johnson alumni at critical moments of his journey led Dave to attend Johnson and embark on a ministry-related career that included stops at four churches and an extensive ministry with Waypoint Church Partners (formerly Virginia Evangelizing Fellowship).
Now retired, Dave and Cindy enjoy traveling and photographing national parks. www.twolanetouring.com is the place to go to follow Dave and Cindy's adventures.
From working in a variety of vocations as a young adult in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to three church ministries and several years serving with Virginia Evangelizing Fellowship (now Waypoint Church Partners), Dave Hileman has experienced the variety of life. Dave reflects on one period of his young adult life that changed his perspective and his direction.
Born and raised in southwestern Indiana, Bart was a farm boy until he graduated high school and went into military service as a member of the Air Force. His 4-year service offered him to grow in his faith as he and Vivian found a strong faith community near the Air Force base where Bart was stationed. After having his eyes opened to the possibility of pursuing college education as a non-traditional student, Bart and the family moved to Johnson University in 1985.
Bart's career after Johnson included a few years on the mission field, several years in public education, and a 21-year ministry with Owensville First Christian Church in his hometown of Owensville, Indiana.
Listen in as Bart shares the formational moments in his journey that inspired his personal, professional, and spiritual growth.
A current 20-year preacher in his hometown of Owensville, Indiana, Bart was raised on a farm and spent his early adult life in the Air Force. Thanks to the influence of his church and a timely word from the president of another bible college, Bart found himself challenged to pursue Christian higher education as a non-traditional student.
In this preview, Bart shares about the time he had to come clean to Bob Martin about Bart's perfect chapel attendance record.
For this, the fiftieth episode of the Sojournal podcast, we are joined by Dr. David Eubanks. David and Margaret have been a part of the Johnson University community for more than sixty years. David's time at the University included stints as an undergraduate and graduate student, faculty member, vice-president for the Florida campus and president for the University.
This episode is a bit longer than our usual episodes, but hearing about David's journey is worth the extra few minutes in episode length.
Have you ever wondered how he got connected to Johnson or how he met Mrs. Margaret? Do you know the story of his journey from student to faculty to president? The answers to these and more are in this episode.
On Monday's episode, the Sojournal podcast turns 50! That is...our 50th episode! Thank you to everyone who has listened as we've taken this journey together. To make this episode special, we will welcome a very distinguished guest to the podcast.
If you have any familiarity with Johnson University then you will instantly recognize the name David Eubanks. Dr. Eubanks grew up in nearby Maryville, Tennessee, and came to Johnson Bible College at the very strong encouragement of his home church minister, Dr. Floyd Clark. Few names are as synonymous with the school as those of David and Margaret Eubanks.
If you've ever wanted to know more about the spiritual journey of the University's most tenured president, this is an episode you must make time to enjoy.
Rachel's spiritual journey started in a Catholic church but, as a junior high school student, she found herself without a living faith. That is when youth group members of Greenwood Christian Church invited Rachel's older sister to attend. Rachel joined her sister and that was the beginning of a faith journey that has included time at Johnson and ministry stops in Indiana, California, Missouri, and Tennessee.
This episode of the Sojournal podcast will encourage us to pause our penchant for judging others as we see Rachel strive to stay faithful to God in a context where her work for the kingdom is not always welcome.
Rachel's journey started in central Indiana when she was invited to attend the youth meetings at a local church. Despite early family opposition to her growing faith, Rachel persevered and proved her mettle as she joined the staff of her local church before ever attending college. After Johnson, Rachel's journey has included ministries in Indiana, California, and Missouri. Rachel's vocational service has included stints in youth ministry, missions ministry, and teaching ministries in the local church and at Ozark Christian College.
As a female in ministry, she has faced her share of opposition. Rachel is quick to let challengers know that she is not in ministry to set an example or blaze a trail. All she wants is to be faithful.
Dr. Mark Andrews is the founding director of Adoptive Family Resources (https://www.adoptivefamilyresources.org/). Their mission is to come alongside international and domestic adoptive parents and their children to help them achieve their fullest potential as a family.
Mark's journey included stints in local ministry as well as counseling. He is passionate about helping children find their way and strengthening families.
The academic journey of Mark Andrews, in combination with his practical ministry and counseling experience, enables him to bring a broad perspective to his current role as the founding director of Adoptive Family Resources. As he reflected on his journey at Johnson University, Mark remembered the tremendous blessing of being able to share life with the faculty and staff who live on the campus of Johnson University.
After a prodigal season and a brief academic career at University of North Florida, Scott found his way to Central Florida Bible College. Thanks to the timely encouragement of friends and an awakening to the most important question in life, Scott persevered in his time at CFBC and went on to youth ministry, graduate work, and pulpit ministry. Scott has served Community Christian Church in the Ft. Lauderdale area of south Florida for twenty-seven years.
Scott's journey is both inspirational and motivational. Be sure to tune in to hear his heart and learn from his ministry experience.
In the midst of a "Prodigal" season in his young adult life, Scott attended his first year of college at the University of North Florida. He could have gone to the University of Florida or University of Miami, but he was concerned about about how the party scene at those schools might impact his well being. It wasn't until he took his final exam in a freshman level philosophy class that he discovered the most important question that he needed to answer.
Serving with TCMI in Austria, Chad and Nichole bring a diverse portfolio to their international ministry work. Both have served in ministry and secular vocations and know what it means to be tempted away from God's call and the challenges of vocational ministry. They've learned a lot in their journey and they share several of their insights during today's podcast interview.
WOW (Wonderful Orientation Weekend) was a time to get acquainted with your fellow newcomers to Johnson University. Chad and Nichole came into Johnson in the same year and found themselves hanging out with the same group of friends. In the midst of orientation sessions and getting to know one another between sessions, the group started sharing their best cheesy pick up lines. Chad shares one of his favorites in this week's episode preview.
After a brief stint at a community college, Amanda determined that the Lord wanted her to attend Johnson. When she submitted to that calling she found her faith challenged in new and unexpected ways. Through it all, she kept her focus on the Lord's calling and doing those things that would bring Him the glory He deserves. This commitment led Amanda to a variety of cross cultural mission experiences as well as a 7-year stint in prayer and worship with the International House of Prayer in Kansas City, Missouri. Amanda currently serves in Ukraine and is consumed with a passion to carry the Gospel to the people of the Russian-speaking world.
What is it like for students who come to Johnson University, a distinctly Restoration Movement college, from a faith tradition outside the Restoration Movement? Amanda Rich shares the value of having her faith perspective challenged and how interacting with believers from other faith traditions help to strengthen her witness to a diverse world of social and religious perspectives.
Jeff and Ginny Browning join the Sojournal from their home in Washington, Illinois. After leaving Johnson, Jeff and Ginny spent a couple years in North Carolina before landing a long-term ministry at Washington Christian Church. Jeff came to Johnson from Findlay, Illinois while Ginny made her way to Johnson thanks to the influence of Johnson alumni and friends in Carmi, Illinois.
In this podcast, Jeff and Ginny share from the rich depth of their experience in serving at one church for more than 40 years.
How does a boy who spent his formative high school years in the back yard of one Christian college elect to attend a different one located more than 500 miles from home? He takes the advice of one of Johnson's most distinguished alumni.
Joe Stump came to Johnson University from the hills of West Virginia. Although retired, Joe continues his 60+ years of preaching the gospel. His preaching career extends from the coastal side of South Carolina to Neebish Island in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Listen in to learn the details of Joe's journey and the lessons he learned from Dr. Black, Fred Craddock, Dean Clark, and Professor Lappin.
From rural Indiana to urban Chicago and from Scotland to Michigan's U.P., Brad Pickens has experienced life and ministry in a variety of settings. His diverse background has contributed to a uncommon perspective on Christianity as expressed in a diversity of contexts. In today's episode, we follow Brad's journey from Syria (pronounced "siree") Christian Church to the Episcopal Diocese of Northern Michigan.
As a student, Brad Pickens had a unique perspective among his peers. Instead of spending a lot of time developing his social network with college peers, Brad focused on learning how to be a more effective minister to those outside the church. In this preview, he explains why he consistently spent time at a local restaurant to develop his pastoral perspective.
Is your congregation looking for practical steps to become relevant, valued, and important in the community? Even if you are doing great things in your community, you will glean some great information and food for thought from today's conversation with Steve Cuss.
I asked Steve to come back to the Sojournal Podcast to talk more about what Discover Church is doing to impact their community and how Steve gained the passion to reach out to the community in ways that are unique among the average churches in the United States.
Don't miss this episode. I am sure you will be challenged and inspired by today's discussion.
Check out Steve's book, "Managing Leadership Anxiety" and his leadership-focused web site at CapableLife.me for additional resources.
On Monday, we will renew our conversation with Steve Cuss regarding his career emphasis on partnering with Christ to address systemic poverty. In this preview, Steve talks about steps Discovery Church is making to make a difference in the community of Broomfield, Colorado. Don't miss Monday's conversation. You will be encouraged and challenged by my conversation with Steve.
Elijah Pryor is a freshman student at Johnson University studying in the school of Business and Public Leadership. In this episode you will learn why Elijah is in a business degree program and what it is like to be a missionary kid and a fourth generation student at Johnson University.
Elijah Pryor is a fourth generation student at Johnson University on BOTH sides of his family. If you listened to last week's episode, you will know all those family members who preceded Elijah as students at Johnson University. During the episode, we learn the perspective of a third culture kid when it comes to adapting to life at a college in the United States. In this preview, Elijah shares an example of his crazy childhood and his desire to fit in with the other kids before learning how to swim.
Jesse and Karie are missionaries to the Ap Ma people in the Angoram district of the East Sepik Province in Papua New Guinea. They came to PNG in Feb of 2004 to supplement a translation work begun by Jesse's parents, John and Bonita Pryor. Jesse and Karie's work focuses on literacy training and church growth. They are involved in a number of construction projects while also working within the church to strengthen study groups, Sunday School and a community clinic.
In this episode, we talk about their family history with Johnson and how the Lord has worked to guide them in life and ministry.
The Sojournal podcast recently featured an interview with David Pryor ('67). David is a part of Jesse Pryor's extended family and, in this preview, we learn the extent to which attending Johnson University is a Pryor family tradition.
Chris and his wife, Nicole, are both graduates of Johnson University Tennessee. Chris' progress in ministry took him from Knoxville to youth ministries in upper-east Tennessee, Florida, and Missouri, before ultimately landing as the Lead Pastor at Cornerstone Christian Church in Belleville, Illinois (metro-east St. Louis). Listen in to Chris' journey and hear his deep appreciation for all those who poured into his spiritual formation and ministry growth.
Chris ('00) and Nichole ('01, 03) VandeLinde serve the Lord at Cornerstone Christian Church in Metro-East St. Louis (the Illinois side of the river). Chris is passionate about co-leadership of the congregation he serves with a diverse ministry staff and the church elders.
His journey to Johnson was greatly influenced by the tremendous work and witness of Johnson University camp teams. In this preview, Chris shares his perspective on the camp teams he experienced before coming to Johnson as a student.
William and Robin Butler are 40-year missionaries to Papua New Guinea who served as bible translators for the Waran language group. They completed translation of the Waran New Testament in 2019.
William and Robin currently reside in Maryville, Tennessee, but remain committed to the work of bible translation.
The Sojournal conversation with William explores his youth, his Johnson experience, and some of the challenges of translation work and family life.
William and Robyn (True) Butler are graduates of the Tennessee campus who got into bible translation when it was still a relatively emerging evangelistic vocation. They completed translation of the Waran New Testament in Papua New Guinea in 2019 and currently reside in William's home town of Maryville, Tennessee. As with most journeys, theirs has a number of highs and a number of lows. Through it all, they recognize the faithfulness of the Lord despite the trials of life. Be sure to tune in on Monday!
David Pryor ('67) and his wife, Sharon, live in Kingston, Tennessee where he serves on the staff at Morrison Hill Christian Church. David and Sharon are former missionaries to Papua New Guinea and have experienced quite a sojourn from their times before Johnson to their times on the mission field and in ministry in the United States.
Monday's Sojournal podcast will feature David Pryor ('67). David and his wife, Sharon, are former missionaries to Papua New Guinea as bible translators with Pioneer Bible Translators. On Monday's episode, David shares the highs and lows of his journey. In this preview, David speaks of the conclusion of his first year at Johnson and his temptation to give up.
Dr. Daniel Overdorf ('95) serves as the Professor of Pastoral Ministry and Director of the Preaching Program at Johnson University Tennessee. He and his wife, Carrie, have been members of the Johnson community since 2005. Daniel comes from a rich preaching heritage and, in this podcast, you will learn about his passion for the Gospel and his desire to multiply his efforts through the preparation of students for kingdom focused vocations.
Dr. Daniel Overdorf is a 1995 graduate of Johnson University Tennessee who has a passion for extending the kingdom through the multiplication of preachers through his vocation as a professor here at Johnson. In this preview, Daniel shares his excitement regarding the current crop of students studying at Johnson University.
Daniel Overdorf will be our guest for next week's Sojournal interview. This week, however, we are going to listen to a segment of a workshop Daniel offered to guests of the 2019 Senior Saints in the Smokies program at Johnson University Tennessee. In this segment, Daniel talks about the occasion of Revelation and what motivated John to write to the seven churches.
Monday's Sojournal podcast episode will feature a devotional segment of a workshop on the book of Revelation that Dr. Overdorf offered to attendees of Senior Saints in the Smokies in 2019. This preview offers a warning to Christians of culture's ability to lead a Christian astray. Catch the full segment on The Occasion of Revelation on Monday.
Brian Lakin is the Director of Church Relations at Johnson University. He came to Johnson as a student in the mid 1970s with a mindset that he wanted to give God the opportunity to verify Brian's sense of calling. Many Johnson faculty and staff influenced Brian as a student and continued their influence and encouragement while Brian and Marie ministered for the Lord in a variety of youth and senior pastoral contexts. Listen in to Brian's journey on this week's Sojournal podcast.
Brian serves Johnson University as the Director of Church Relations. He met his wife, Marie, at Johnson when they were students and they have experienced ministry in a variety of contexts. In this preview, Brian shares about the witness of his faculty members and the impression they left on him as Christians who viewed their work as a ministry and not simply a job.
Originally a member of the class of 1957, Dean completed his undergraduate degree in 1958 and spent the first several years after Johnson as a preacher. After hearing a call to international ministry, Dean and his family moved to Zambia to plant churches. After serving cross-culturally, Dean served as Johnson University's first-ever director of church relations; a position he held for twelve years.
Dean and Judy have three children and still live close to the Tennessee campus. In fact, Judy continues to serve in the business office at Johnson University Tennessee.
Raised near the Mississippi River in western Illinois, Dean was a farm boy who had no interest in pursuing vocational ministry. After coming to Christ at 17 years old through the persistent influence of Leroy Knight ('51), Dean went out of his way to avoid a possible calling to ministry. In this preview, Dean offers one example of his efforts to avoid this calling.
Along with his wife, Stephanie (Moore, '83), Dwight Young serves as an urban missionary in the Price Hill area of Cincinnati, Ohio. Dwight was not always focused on ministry. In fact, as a farm boy, Dwight had every intention to study veterinary medicine at the University of Western Kentucky until his mom asked him to spend a year at Johnson. That experience led Dwight to Stephanie and led them both to ministry service in Knoxville (TN), Louisville (KY), and ultimately Cincinnati (OH).
Learn more about Dwight and Stephanie's important and effective work in the inner city by going to http://www.onebloc.org/.
Dwight was raised in a farming community in western Kentucky. Originally intending to pursue veterinary medicine at the University of Western Kentucky, Dwight's mom asked him to attend Johnson for a year. The rest, as they say, is history. Dwight and his wife, Stephanie (Moore '83), are approaching 25 years of service in the Price Hill area of urban Cincinnati, Ohio.
In this preview, we learn more about Dwight's mom and the power of prayer.
Today's Sojournal podcast guests are Jim and Caranita Wolsieffer. They both graduated from Johnson University Tennessee in 1975 and have spend the last 50 years serving the people of Francavilla Fontana, Italy. They have divergent journeys to faith and to Johnson, but a common goal of serving the people of Italy. Listen in and be encouraged by the journey of this wonderful alumni couple.
Jim and Caranita Wolsieffer recently crossed the 50-year milestone of ministry in Italy. Their wealth of experiences in ministry and on the mission field are sure to encourage the listeners of this week's Sojournal podcast. In this preview, Jim and Caranita teach us how to get out of trouble when you are caught doing something against the rules. Listen in and laugh with us.
Steven and Lisa live in Broomfield, Colorado, and serve at Discovery Christian Church where Steve is the Lead Pastor while Lisa serves as a counselor. They were instrumental in helping the church become a cornerstone in the community through service to the marginalized and partnership with civic leaders.
Their journey to faith, to Johnson, to one another, and in ministry is filled with God's guidance and inspiration. You are sure to be inspired by their passion and commitment to bring the Gospel to those living on the fringe of our comfortable societal norms.
Steve and Lisa Cuss serve Discovery Christian Church in Broomfield, Colorado. As the Lead Pastor, Steve has led the church to become a beacon in the community and a partner with community leaders. Steve and Lisa come from opposite backgrounds as Steve was raised in a secular, though moral, home while Lisa was raised as the daughter of a preacher in the bible belt of the Midwest. Together, they have served God in Tennessee, Nevada, and Colorado. In addition, Steve is known nationally and internationally as a leader of church leaders. The time Steve and Lisa spent as guests on the Sojournal was inspiring and I know you will be inspired by their passion and commitment to the kingdom.
In this preview, Steve talks about the time the elders of his home church in Perth, Australia, wanted to make an evangelistic visit to his non-Christian parents. Steve explains why this was not a good idea.
On the cusp of a move to Europe, Caleb spent time discussing his faith journey and his consistent bent toward intercultural ministry. From making a decision during a CIY Move event to his intercultural courses at Johnson University Florida, Caleb found the perspective he needed to surrender himself to God's calling.
Learn more about the Elkins’ ministry!
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On the cusp of a move to Europe, Caleb spent time discussing his faith journey and his consistent bent toward intercultural ministry. From making a decision during a CIY Move event to his intercultural courses at Johnson University Florida, Caleb found the perspective he needed to surrender himself to God's calling. In this preview, Caleb shares a moment of perspective he gained from the input of his home church pastor.
Jake's journey included stints in congregational ministry, ministry on a reservation in Arizona, and ministry on the basketball court. As an undergraduate, he served as a player/coach at Johnson University Florida. After graduation, he spent time working in the admissions office and serving the University as the Athletic Director and basketball coach. His passion for his players and God's kingdom is evident in our interview.
Jake will be on campus on October 29/30, 2021 as his Point University basketball team takes on the JUFL Suns. This game will feature a time to honor the 10th anniversary of JUFL's district championship; a championship they won when Jake was the coach.
Jake Deer is the head coach of Point University's men's basketball team. Formerly a coach for Johnson University Florida, Jake brings a passionate perspective to his coaching efforts as he encourages players to use their basketball giftedness for God's kingdom. This was a great interview and you won't want to miss Jake's sojourn and his passion.
For more than 20 years, Mark and Joy Hoff have served the people of Honduras. While ministry methods have morphed over the years, they remain steadfast in their commitment to the evangelization of Honduras and finding the best ways to accomplish the Lord's work.
Mark and Joy serve as missionaries in Honduras. Their entire career of service has focused on ministry in Latin America. Raised in different worlds, Mark and Joy found common ground and developed a relationship during their years at Johnson University. In this preview, Joy shares the story of the day she committed her life to becoming a missionary.
Crystal (Vu, '06 & '07) Bailey lives in Virginia Beach with her husband, Jamin ('06), and their children. Jamin serves as a U.S. Navy Chaplain while Crystal focuses on raising their children and expanding her musical expression. Listen in and hear Crystal's heart, her experiences, and her desire to use music as an avenue to worship Christ.
Crystal's life journey has taken her to several countries. Her experiences internationally as well as within her own family have often tempted her toward isolation. In this preview, we hear Crystal's perspective on the importance of community and the need for individuals to strive for community over isolation.
A neat surprise is in store during Monday's episode as we get to listen in on a musical expression of Crystal's journey. Don't miss it!
Our longest active Senior Saint and a graduate of the class of 1960, Don has lived a full life in service to the Kingdom. His journey to faith came through the influence of the church in the community where he was raised in rural eastern Kentucky. Eventually he found himself under the influence of Johnson University preachers who inspired him to pursue educational opportunities at the campus in Kimberlin Heights. He met and married his wife, Jane, while studying at Johnson and they spend the majority of their ministry lives in western Pennsylvania. Thank you for listening in to today's conversation with Don Brookshire.
Don Brookshire had a deep and rich history of service to the Kingdom. Although officially retired, he continues to serve churches in need in western Pennsylvania. In this preview, Don mentions the importance of setting an example of service to those a minister leads.
I had to take a one-week break from the podcast due to travels and a conference. However, the next Sojournal Podcast is coming on June 28 with Don Brookshire (JUTN '60). Be sure to tune in. Look for the preview to drop on Friday.
Jacob Vangen works in one of the least Christian regions of the United States. According to Barna, New England is the most unchurched, de-churched and post Christian region of the United States. Focused on helping plant and grow new churches in this area, Jacob and Jordan are passionate about extending the Kingdom in the northeast. Tune in to hear Jacob's passion and his new work in Waltham, Massachusetts.
From Cincinnati Reds to Boston Red Sox, Jacob's life journey is a tale of contrasts. In this preview, Jacob shares the moment he recognized something different about Christian community and how that set the course for his journey to faith and into ministry. Tune in on Monday to hear the full episode!
Dr. Adam Bloch serves Ridgeview Christian Church in Rolla, Missouri. He's been there for eight years and it is his only ministry since completing his academic work. He has a lovely family and, with his wife Tracey, has learned to navigate the challenges associated with ministry and family.
Adam Bloch earned his BA in Preaching at Johnson University in 2009. After earning an M.Div. and Ph. D. he has gone on to serve for the last eight years as the preaching minister at Ridgeview Christian Church in Rolla, Missouri. During Monday's episode, we learn about Adam's journey including some of the unique challenges he faces ministry and the family. Be sure to listen in!
In this preview, Adam shares a valuable lesson he learned regarding sermon preparation as a busy minister and family man.
Rachel's journey of faith was heavily influenced by relatives living near her home in Carey, North Carolina. At Johnson, she found herself studying media communications and working in the graphics shop. Her educational and vocational experience at Johnson opened doors of ministry with Waypoint Church Partners and ultimately led her to work with Area 10 Faith Community in Richmond, Virginia.
In this preview, Rachel shares one particular lesson she learned as a senior at Johnson University. While some students liked to sit in the dorms and complain about the way things are in the world, Rachel was inspired to take action and make a difference due to the influence of a staff couple involved in ministry to the houseless population of Knoxville.
A third generation "Preacher Boy," Taylor grew up in Virginia and followed in the footsteps of his father and grandfather as students of Johnson University. Originally a youth minister, Taylor went on to work with Christ in Youth and become a popular speaker for youth conferences and events. COVID led Taylor to pursue a new opportunity as the Director of Rough Terrain Studios, a production company that exists to help tell the stories of God's word. Listen in to this interview and be encouraged and inspired by Taylor's journey.
Taylor is a third generation Johnson University graduate. On Monday's episode, Taylor shares his sojourn that includes stints in youth ministry, media ministry, and as a speaker on the youth conference circuit. This was a fun interview and I hope you will plan to listen in when the full episode drops on Monday.
Dale's depth of experience in ministry shines forth as he shares his sojourn. Dale graduated in 1981 from Johnson University (Johnson Bible College) with a degree in Bible and Preaching. His journey led him back to Johnson to complete his Ph.D. in Leadership in 2019. Dale currently serves as the Executive Minister with Second Church of Christ in Danville, Illinois.
Dale has a wealth of experience in congregational ministry from media and worship to preaching and executive leadership. In this Sojournal preview, Dale shares his recommendation to graduates entering their first ministry. Be sure to tune into the full interview on Monday!
With faith as a part of their upbringing, it seemed natural that Gary and Renee would each consider a faith-based university to pursue higher education. For Gary, Johnson was the obvious choice considering the influence of Johnson alumni on his life and in his home church. Renee, however, found Johnson after considering a different Christian university in West Virginia. They have various experiences in ministry and are currently in Louisville, Kentucky, where Gary serves with Fern Grove Christian Church while simultaneously serving as a part-time chaplain with University of Louisville Hospital.
Gary and Renee are a lovely alumni couple who love the Lord and love the University. Their journeys to Johnson are unique, but the story of their experience and ministry lives is united toward the common purpose of pursuing Christ. Make plans to listen to this episode of the Sojournal Podcast when it drops on Monday.
Neil Wheler is the Director of Leader Care with Waypoint Church Partners. His experience in life and ministry makes him an excellent fit for his current role and he has a few words to share that will challenge and inspire current and future vocational ministers.
As the Director of Leader Care with Waypoint Church Partners, Neil Wheeler understands the struggles that confront those in positions of pastoral leadership. Neil offers his perspective regarding the shelf life of a minister.
Alan's journey through life and ministry includes stops in central Florida as well as churches in Indiana and Ohio. Currently an employee with Johnson University Florida, Alan shares his sojourn and how he was able to discern the Lord's leading to new ministry opportunities.
From Central Florida Bible College to youth and preaching ministry experience, Alan has a wealth of insight to offer those in ministry. This is especially true regarding the challenges of his sojourn as his wife battled cancer. This is a Sojournal Podcast episode you don't want to miss.
As a Christian Education student, Molly never sought a career in church leadership. However, her faith journey included many points of involvement leadership positions that God has used to bring Molly to her current ministry vocation. Molly serves Crossings Church, a unique faith community of the Restoration Movement with campuses in downtown Knoxville and north Knoxville. This is the story of Molly's sojourn.
Molly Conaway took a unique path to her current role as the lead pastor of Crossings Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. Among the insights she will share on Monday's podcast is the value of a Christian's presence in a community. She encourages students to plant roots and grow close to the community in which they live.
From a young age, Don found himself surrounded by music. His passion led him to vocational music ministry as well as spending time as a faculty member in music at Johnson University. On the podcast, Don shares about his journey to Johnson and the experiences God used to direct Don and his wife, Lyn, toward their current residence in Huntington Beach, California.
Don Sewell shares the advice he received from Floyd Clark regarding Don's future after college.
With scholarships on the table for division 1 football, Bill decided to play the long game and pursue a kingdom focused vocation starting with an education at the newly formed ministry training school in central Florida. Bill recently retired from a decades-long ministry as a prison chaplain and now serves the local church as their designated minister to the prison.
With scholarships on the table for division 1 football, Bill decided to play the long game and pursue a kingdom focused vocation starting with an education at the newly formed ministry training school in central Florida. Bill recently retired from a decades-long ministry as a prison chaplain and now serves the local church as their designated minister to the prison.
For the first time in the Sojournal series, we welcome an alumni couple to the podcast. Tommy and Tammy live and work on Long Island in New York where Tommy serves as a minister and consultant while Tammy also works in consulting as well as photography.
In this episode 12 preview of the Sojournal Podcast, Tommy shares about the impact his home church minister made in Tommy's pursuit of vocational ministry.
Ryan Russell's journey began as the son of a Missouri preacher. As a student at Johnson, his focus was on preaching. However, upon graduation, Ryan found himself drawn to leading Christian youth in international settings. This passion led him to Myanmar where his ministry morphed into business endeavors in Myanmar's emerging democratic economy. COVID and political turmoil have greatly impacted Ryan's work and he spent some time talking with us about the political situation and his life in ministry.
What advice would you give to students currently studying at Johnson University? Ryan Russell (JUTN '05) provides an answer in this episode 11 preview.
The 2021 Johnson University Homecoming worship leader, Terry Pepple joins the Sojournal Podcast to discuss his journey to Johnson, his experience at Johnson, and his life in worship ministry and music after his Johnson years.
What is the key to leading a congregation through transitions in worship styles? Terry Pepple ('00) offers his perspective in this episode 10 preview of the Sojournal Podcast.
John Noel, a 1977 graduate of Johnson University Tennessee, is our guest for today's episode. John discusses his ministry journey, how God moves us, and the value of serving as a mentor to others.
If you are experienced in ministry, use your experience to guide an intern. You never know how far God will use your influence through the lessons learned by that intern. John Noel, a 1977 Johnson University Tennessee graduate, shares his experience in this preview.
Dr. Susan Dalton is an educator in the Knox County (TN) school system teaching in the area of English Language Learning. Listen in to hear the story of Susan's journey from the mountains of Virginia to the Johnson University Tennessee campus as well as the draw of Knoxville as a place to call home.
Susan shares about the long-term impact of an educator on the lives of the students in whom they invest.
Campus minister and 1992 Johnson University Tennessee graduate Mike Luzadder joins the Sojournal podcast to discuss his Johnson experience, campus ministry, and the stories that impact what we believe.
Join us on Monday as we have a conversation with Mike Luzadder (JUTN '92) about his Johnson experience, life in campus ministry, and the stories of our belief.
Today we welcome 2002 Johnson University Florida graduate, Shawn Grant, as our guest on the Sojournal Podcast. Shawn serves as a professor of humanities at Johnson University Florida.
A preview of Episode 6, featuring 2002 Johnson University Florida graduate Shawn Grant.
Today's Sojournal Podcast features Dr. Jody Owens. Dr. Owens is a faculty member on the Tennessee campus and a MA New Testament graduate of the Tennessee campus in 1995.
Monday, on the Sojournal Podcast, we will be joined by Dr. Jody Owens (JUTN MA '95) as he offers his insight on how Christians can discern God's calling on their lives.
Today, on the Sojournal Podcast, we are joined by 2019 Johnson University Online M.B.A. graduate Aaron Fusselman. Listen in as we discuss Aaron's faith journey and life at the intersection of faith and business.
Here's a preview of this Monday's Sojournal Podcast conversation with 2019 Johnson University Online M.B.A. graduate Aaron Fusselman.
Today's Sojournal Podcast guest is 2012 Johnson University Tennessee graduate, Nathanael Dunn. Nathanael is the Vice President of International Operations with Good News Productions International. Nathanael talks of his journey from a small town in Illinois to Taiwan and back.
The Sojournal Podcast is a production of the Alumni Relations office of Johnson University and is brought to you by the Alumni Association. This week's episode features 1992 Johnson University Florida graduate, Arron Chambers (Instagram: @arronchambers, Twitter: @arronchambers).
This first episode of the Sojournal Podcast features 2005 Johnson University Tennessee graduate, Tim MacSaveny.