Sojournal

It is a pretty rare thing for the Sojournal podcast to interview such a young graduate. However, Hanna's story shows us how God uses human creativity to bring glory to Himself. Hannah serves as a park ranger and mural artist in Columbus, Ohio, where she grew up as the youngest of six siblings. Learn about Hannah's creative journey and interest in nature through today's interview conduc...

If you have been a part of the Restoration Movement over the course of the last 50 years, then there is a very good chance that your life has been touched by the work of today's guest, Larry Green. A native of Washington, Indiana, Larry graduated from Johnson University in 1968 and promptly embarked on a ministerial and vocational journey that includes participation in the creation of the mode...

John just retired from 31+ years of ministry in Pennsylvania and is enjoying retired life in Gibsonville, North Carolina, with his wife, Arlene ('85, Beech). John and Arlene have two daughters, both of whom attended Johnson University. However, John's history with Johnson stretches more than 50 years into the past. The youngest of seven children, John's earliest memories are as a youth...

Maddie Tate is a Missouri native who found her way toJohnson because of a desire to focus on discovering who God wanted her to be apart from her close-knit community. The daughter of an Ozark graduate mother and Anabaptist father, Maddie has both the Restoration Movement and modern Mennonite influences in her background. As an adolescent, Maddie found joy in serving the Lord through serving others...

A 2015 Johnson University Tennessee graduate, Dylan now works for the University as an enrollment counselor and adjunct faculty member. He met and married Brianna while a student at Johnson and they recently celebrated their 10th anniversary. Dylan is a family man, an avid reader, and Liverpool soccer fan. Learn more about Dylan in today's Sojournal interview.

Amare Redden is a first-generation student at Johnson whose journey in life has been fraught with strife and uncertainty. However, she always had a vision for more even when she didn't believe in herself. Thanks in part to the assistance she receives from the First Generation Student Assistance Account, Amare has found a pathway to higher education that would have otherwise been out of her rea...

Nahom relied on soccer to open doors of educational opportunity here in the United States. What started at a private secondary school in Kentucky turned into a 4-year academic journey at Johnson that will pave the way to financial independence. Nahom is a first generation student and this is his story.

Every Giving Tuesday, Johnson University focuses on raising funds to support the academic efforts of first generation students. These students face a unique set of challenges that make the support of the First Generation Student Assistance Fund important so that these first generation students can survive and thrive in college. Brooke Williams is in her Junior year and, in addition to majoring in...

Nathan (’11) Shedd, a native of Straughn, Indiana, is an Assistant Professor of New Testament at Johnson University. He is married to Kristen (’12) Shedd who also works for Johnson in the Enrollment Services office. Nathan discovered his passion for theological learning and educating early in his undergraduate journey and followed that passion to his current vocation. Learn more about Nathan’s jou...

After spending a year in intercultural service in Italy, Ross and Megan (Brock, '07) Najmon were blessed with the opportunity to play a support role in a variety of global ministries through their service with Team Expansion. Ross works with International Services doing all that he can to support those working on the field of global ministry so that those workers can focus on their respective area...

Though officially a member of the class of 2000, Troy vehemently claims the class of 1999 as his own since only one class separated him from his intended graduating class. Married to Kelly, a high school friend, Troy has three grown children. Troy and Kelly live in Bloomfield, Indiana, where Troy serves as the Senior Pastor at Cincinnati Christian Church. Troy has served ministries in Tennessee, P...

Don retired in 2020 after a 30+ year tenure in church ministry at Capital Area Christian Church of Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania. In his retirement, Don has shifted his focus to helping churches and nonprofits with principles of strategic planning and leadership. His book, Lead Like a Bodyguard, undergirds this focus as Don uses the life and ministry of Nehemiah to encourage church leaders toward li...

Bill joined the Johnson University staff in 2011 and has held a couple roles leading up to his current position as professor of Worship and Theology. Betsy (Pruett, '03) is from Indiana and has been a part of the Johnson community for many years, including a few as an employee in our Admissions Office. She currently serves as a librarian for Sevier County Schools.

The former Minister of Production at Park Chapel Christian Church in Greenfield, Indiana, Mike now serves as an engaged grandfather and the editor of the Sojournal podcast. Mike has had to endure the painful loss of his wife, Cathy, from COVID complications just two years ago. However, he perseveres in faith and shares his sojourn through this loss and walking with Cathy through two battles with c...

Sara's husband, Kevin, was on the podcast just a few episodes ago and now we get to hear her side of the journey.

Mike ('13) and Brianna (Lamke, '13) Reynolds live in Knoxville, Tennessee, where they serve international students at the University of Tennessee. Mike has the distinction of being the Alumni Association President for Homecoming 2025. Tune in to learn about Mike's journey to faith, to Johnson, and in vocational ministry after graduation. Also, Mike spends time introducing some neat edi...

Seth's family history with Johnson University spans several generations and both located campuses in the history of the University. Raised in Florida, Seth attended the Florida campus and found a passion for cross cultural ministry. After spending time on graduate work at Asbury, Seth moved to Indianapolis, Indiana, to continue serving the international community. He is a podcast host himself...

Hannah is a 5th generation Restoration Movement alumnus who was the first in her family to attend Johnson. Baptized at 8 and focused on intercultural teaching opportunities, most of Hannah's adult life has been focused on raising and educating her own children while writing curriculum for other educators. She is married to Chris and they have three children. Hannah's life has been a whirlwind sinc...

After obtaining two undergraduate degrees from Johnson University in Youth Ministry/Christian Education and Media Communications, Kevin served in ministry in Northern Kentucky and as a real estate agent. He and Sara (Starr, '00, '01) Griesser have three children and they have spent the last several years in Turkey. Listen in to hear Kevin's journey from Northern Kentucky to Turkey.

Merry Christmas to all of the Sojournal podcast listeners. Enjoy this special presentation of Johnson University's radio theater production of "A Christmas Carol." Travel back to the 1940’s where radio storytelling was still prominent and watch this beloved tale unfold in a new, heartfelt and exciting way. It’s a show within a show- actors showcase their voice acting skills portraying multiple rol...

After graduating from Johnson, Rob has a brief stint as a children's minister in northwestern Indiana before transitioning to campus ministry. Rob has served the Campus House at Purdue University for more than 35 years. Rob is married to Lea and they have three children. Rob and Lea serve the Campus House together. Rob is the Pastor of Equipping while Lea serves as the Director of Pastoral Equippi...

Danny and his wife, Melissa (Dickenson, '92 & '99), live in central Indiana, where Danny is involved in a number of ministries. Danny serves as the missionary in residence with New Paradigm Christian Church, staff chaplain for ARK Christian Ministries, chaplain for three Midas automotive stores, and as a faculty leader for EnterMission (a gap year program of the International Conference on Mis...

Justin is the son of Scott ('86) and Melody (Wingfield, '86) Sutherland and part of a ministry-focused family. Born in Memphis, Tennessee, Justin spent his adolescence in Atlanta, Georgia, and Colombia, Missouri. Attending Johnson was a natural choice considering his family pedigree on both sides of the family tree. Justin currently lives in Batesville, Indiana, where he serves as a worship and st...

Brian's journey started in suburban Chicago but he claims Clearwater, Florida, as his hometown. Under the influence of Scott Eynon, Brian made a personal commitment to Christ when in high school and took Scott's advice to attend Florida Christian College. Brian is married to Melissa and they have three children. Brian serves Parkway Fellowship in Houston, Texas, as a Small Groups Pastor. He is als...

Tommy's journey to the Florida campus was unique. After graduation, Tommy entered the preaching ministry and served several churches before encountering struggles that led him to a different vocational path. Tommy became a clinical counselor and served there for many years before retiring to Panama. Today, Tommy continues to serve the Lord by teaching the scriptures to Panamanian Christian leaders...