Sojournal

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 Co...

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"...

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...

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 no...

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...

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 lon...

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 M...

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,...

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 vocationa...

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...

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 J...

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 th...

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 discove...

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...

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 missio...

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 pod...

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 Lapp...

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 Nor...

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 a...

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.