The congregation of East Rockingham Freewill Baptist Church welcomed a new pastor and associate pastor this month.
The church, located at 189 Airport Road in Rockingham, greeted new Pastor Johnny Johnson and his wife Pat from Mt. Gilead.
Johnson said he has a business in Rockingham; Richmond Forest Products. He has been in ministry for 12 years.
“Everything’s going great,” said Johnson about his first month at his new church. “My prayers and hopes for the church are that it continues to grow spiritually and in numbers. We’ve seen a fantastic change since the first service in August. The Holy Spirit is moving, there are new visitors coming and there is a relaxed worshiping attitude.”
Along with Pastor Johnson, the congregation also welcomed new Associate Pastor Royce Honeycutt and wife Lois of Rockingham.
They began their ministry at the church on Aug. 5.
Associate Pastor Honeycutt said he hasn’t enjoyed working with anyone else as much as he has enjoyed the past month with Pastor Johnson.
“We are looking forward to working with the people,” said Honeycutt. “We are looking forward to the church growing and most of all to people coming to the Lord. Everybody is welcome.”
Honeycutt said he has been in ministry for 18 years, pastoring and teaching Sunday School. He worked in the gas industry for a short while, and worked in a mill. He said working in the mill helped him get to know many of the folks that make up the congregation at East Rockingham Freewill Baptist Church. Honeycutt was born and raised in Rockingham.
Johnson said he has enjoyed working with Honeycutt as well.
“He is a great man of God,” said Johnson.
“I’ve just seen such a spiritual growth in the church since they’ve been there,” said Barbara Lyerly, a dedicated member of the church. “The people are excited about coming to church, and that means a lot to me.”
Sunday school lessons begin at 10 a.m. and Sunday morning worship begins at 11 a.m. Wednesday evening Bible study begins at 7 p.m.
— Staff Writer Dawn M. Kurry can be reached at 910-997-3111, ext. 15, or by email at dkurry@heartlandpublications.com.
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