Johnny Hunt facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Johnny M. Hunt |
|
 Johnny Hunt speaking at First Baptist Arnold, Missouri. |
|
| Born | July 17, 1952 in Lumberton, North Carolina, United States |
|---|---|
| Church | Southern Baptist |
| Offices held | *Senior Vice President, Evangelism & Leadership, North American Mission Board
|
| Spouse | Janet Allen Hunt |
| Children | Deanna Hunt Carswell & Holly Hunt Hixson |
Johnny M. Hunt (born July 17, 1952) is an American Christian pastor and author. He was the president of the Southern Baptist Convention, which is a large group of Christian churches. He also used to be the main pastor at First Baptist Church Woodstock in Woodstock, Georgia. Johnny Hunt was the first Native American person to lead the Southern Baptist Convention. Before that, he worked for the North American Mission Board. This group helps start new churches and shares the Christian message across the country.
Early Life and Education
Johnny Hunt was born in Lumberton, North Carolina. He is a member of the Lumbee Native American tribe from North Carolina. When he was seven, his father left the family. At 16, he stopped going to school and managed a pool room.
During this time, Johnny Hunt became a Christian. He wrote about this experience in his book, Out of the Poolroom. After becoming a Christian, older men from his church in Wilmington, North Carolina, helped him. He then felt called to become a pastor. He earned degrees from Gardner-Webb College and the Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. He also received special honorary degrees from other schools.
Family Life
Johnny Hunt is married to Janet Allen Hunt. She is from Wilmington, North Carolina. They have two daughters, Deanna Hunt Carswell and Hollie Hunt Hixson. They also have three granddaughters named Katie Carswell, Hope Hixson, and Addie Hixson. Their grandson is named Carson Carswell.
His Career as a Pastor
,_Nov_2017_(cropped).jpg)
Johnny Hunt has served in several churches. From 1976 to 1979, he was at Lavonia Baptist Church in Mooresboro, North Carolina. He then served at Falls Baptist Church in Wake Forest, North Carolina from 1979 to 1980. After that, he was at Longleaf Baptist Church in Wilmington, North Carolina from 1981 to 1986.
In 1986, he became the senior pastor at First Baptist Church in Woodstock, Georgia. He stayed there until December 2019. First Baptist Woodstock is one of the biggest churches in the United States. When he started, the church had about 1,000 members. Under his leadership, it grew to more than 19,000 members.
In June 1996, Johnny Hunt was chosen to be the President of the Southern Baptist Convention's Pastor's Conference. A special teaching position, called the Johnny Hunt Chair of Biblical Preaching, was created in his honor at the Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in 1997.
In June 2008, Johnny Hunt became the president of the Southern Baptist Convention. He served in this important role for two years. He was followed by Bryant Wright. In November 2016, his church celebrated his 40 years of ministry. They also celebrated his 30 years as the senior pastor at First Baptist Woodstock Church.
In August 2018, Johnny Hunt and his wife, Janet, told their church that he would be stepping down from his full-time pastor role. He planned to take on a new job as a Senior Vice President for the North American Mission Board. He left his position at First Baptist Woodstock after 33 years.
See also
- List of Southern Baptist Convention affiliated people
- Southern Baptist Convention
- Southern Baptist Convention Presidents
