Throughout the month of October the congregation of Eastern Star Church honored Pastor Jeffrey A. Johnson Sr. for reaching a significant milestone.
The preacher, teacher author and community activist celebrated 30 years in ministry and 21 years as pastor of Eastern Star Church, one of Indiana’s fastest growing congregations.
Mentored by the late Pastor Charles Harris of Pleasant Union Missionary Baptist Church, Johnson attended Arlington High School and graduated from Bishop (now Paul Quinn) College in Texas.
He returned to Indianapolis to serve as youth pastor at Oasis of Hope Baptist Church under Rev. Frank Alexander, before becoming pastor of St. Paul Baptist Church in Terre Haute, Ind. In April, 1988, Johnson accepted the call as pastor of Eastern Star Church, where he quickly became known for his dynamic style of preaching.
Johnson’s clear, exciting “break down” of scripture and the warmth of the congregation led more people to visit Eastern Star Church, which grew from under 500 members to over 10,000.
Since 1994 the church has opened a new central campus on East 30th Street, a Westside location, a church in Fishers and an accredited school. It has also created new ministries to serve those in need throughout the city, and planted three new congregations.
Johnson has helped launch the careers of several ministers who now serve as senior pastors of churches, and authored the books Song of Solomon: Love Sex and Relationships, and Making a Comeback. He and wife Sharon have four sons.
In a rare, personal interview Johnson spoke with the Recorder about his ministry and the church that he loves.
Recorder: How does it feel celebrating 30 years in ministry and 21 years as pastor?
Johnson: It’s very humbling. I only started preaching because I felt compelled by God’s Holy Spirit, which has a call on my life. I never thought it would be like this and God has just done exceedingly, abundantly above all I could ask, think or imagine.
People have formed different opinions of the church, which is sometimes the target of criticism because of its prominence. Some say it is too big, too arrogant or too focused on buildings. How do you respond to that?
Our church has grown because we meet needs, and people go where their needs are met. Some people have a need to understand God and his word, and they can get that here. Our senior saints ministry, our private Christian school and all the ministries we offer meet needs. Now big and small is relative (laughs).
At the first church in Acts chapter two Peter preached a sermon to 3,000 people, so their church had that many people on the first day. In the next chapter 5,000 people joined, so that’s a total of 8,000 people in just two chapters. Much of the book of Acts keeps saying ‘And the Lord added to the church’ so that people could be saved. So what we have done is really model ourselves after the church at its birth. I believe that the church at its birth, is the church at its best, and we simply modeled after them with the kind of growth we have been blessed to experience.
In terms of criticism, I don’t spend too much time dealing with that. I’m too busy to address all of that, I’m just trying to do God’s will. I guess it just comes with the territory. They talked about Jesus, and I’m nowhere close to him so I can’t expect to live life without being criticized.
What do you enjoy in your spare time?
Spare time? (laughs) . Well, I like to run, so I participate in marathons. I also like to play basketball and I read everyday. But it’s also nice to spend time with my family; Sharon and I like to watch movies. I also like listening to all kinds of music.
You and your wife Sharon have been married 23 years. What has been key to the success of that marriage?
Well, when Sharon and I got married we both understood the value of marriage and family. We decided that no matter what happens in our lives and in our relationship, we would not get a divorce. So whatever goes on, divorce is not an option. We turn to God’s word, prayer, quality time and each other. But the key is that we serve the same God, Jesus, Holy Spirit and have the same values.
It’s been a year since you overcame a struggle with prostate cancer. What did you learn from that experience?
Going through that was a confirmation about priorities in life, which is God, family, others and self – in that order. Some people spend so much time thinking about physical things, but life is about purpose. I learned that I have to help people understand their purpose in life, and then the physical things will take care of themselves. We have to understand our purpose, why God created us, the gifts he has given us and what he wants us to do with them.
What would you like to achieve during your next 21 years as pastor of Eastern Star Church?
I want to continue to develop God’s people into what he would have them to be, develop disciples and keep planting churches. I’m finishing a third book, so I would like to continue writing. I’m also dedicated to spending more time mentoring younger pastors.
What do you think is Eastern Star’s proper role in the community?
First and foremost the church is designed to win souls to Christ. We must continue to do that because if we get that straight, many of the other ills in our community will be taken care of. Once people accept Christ into their lives it changes their behavior. Eastern Star has always called for social justice and come alongside the poor, the lonely, the lost and the left out. It will always have a ministry in terms of the social, economic and political landscape of Indianapolis.
