Johnny Hunt

Johnny M. Hunt
Johnny M. Hunt
	Johnny Hunt speaking at First Baptist Arnold, Missouri.
Born	July 17, 1952 (age 69); Lumberton, North Carolina, United States
Spouse(s)	Janet Allen Hunt
Children	Deanna Hunt Carswell & Holly Hunt Hixson
Church	Southern Baptist
Offices held	Senior Vice President, Evangelism & Leadership, North American Mission Board; Senior Pastor, (1986-2019); President, Southern Baptist Convention (2008-2010);

Johnny M. Hunt (born July 17, 1952) is an American evangelical Christian pastor, author, and former president of the Southern Baptist Convention. He was also formerly senior pastor of First Baptist Church Woodstock, in Woodstock, Georgia. He was the first Native American president of the SBC. He currently serves as the Senior Vice President of the Evangelism & Leadership division of the North American Mission Board—the church planting and domestic evangelism arm of the SBC—speaking nationally to church leaders and congregants about sharing the Christian Gospel.

Early life[]

Hunt was born in Lumberton, North Carolina. He is a member of the Lumbee Native American Indian tribe based in North Carolina.^[1] Hunt's father left the family when he was seven. He became an alcoholic and gambler at a young age, dropping out of school at 16 and managing a pool room.^[2]^[3] Hunt experienced a radical conversion to Christianity during this time, which he details in his book, Out of the Poolroom. After his conversion, he was mentored by several men from his home church in Wilmington, North Carolina and came to the realization that God had called him to ministry. He has earned degrees from Gardner-Webb College and the Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, and has also received honorary doctorates from , , and Tennessee Temple University.^[4]^[5]

Family[]

He is married to Janet Allen Hunt of Wilmington, North Carolina. They have two daughters: Deanna Hunt Carswell and Hollie Hunt Hixson. They also have three granddaughters: Katie Carswell, Hope Hixson, and Addie Hixson. He has one grandson, Carson Carswell.

Career[]

First Baptist Church, Woodstock, Georgia

Hunt has held ministry positions at Lavonia Baptist Church, Mooresboro, North Carolina (July 1976–August 1979), Falls Baptist Church in Wake Forest, North Carolina (1979–1980), Longleaf Baptist Church, Wilmington, North Carolina (May 1981–December 1, 1986), and at First Baptist Church in Woodstock, Georgia (1986 to December 2019).^[6] First Baptist Woodstock is one of the largest churches in the United States. Under his ministry the church grew from about 1,000 to more than 19,000 members.^[7]

In June 1996, Hunt was named the President of SBC Pastor's Conference. On March 11, 1997, the Johnny Hunt Chair of Biblical Preaching was established at the Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. In June 2008, Hunt succeeded Frank Page as president of the Southern Baptist Convention, and served in that capacity for 2 years. He was succeeded by Bryant Wright.^[8]

In November 2016, His church celebrated his 40 years in ministry and serving as senior pastor at First Baptist Woodstock Church for 30 years.

In August 2018, Johnny, alongside his wife Janet, announced to FBC-Woodstock that he would be transitioning out of his full-time pastoral position to fulfill a Senior VP ministry for the North American Mission Board.

Publications[]

Building Your Leadership Resume: Developing the Legacy that Will Outlast You. B&H Publishing Group. 2009. ISBN 978-0-8054-4964-8.
Building Your Spiritual Resume. 3H Publishers. 2007.
From the Poolroom to the Pulpit. Self published.
The Deacon I Want to Be: Growing in Faith, Faithful in Service - Learner Manual. Sampson Resources. 2008. ISBN 9781933376912.
The Deacon I Want to Be: Growing in Faith, Faithful in Service - Leader Guide. LifeWay Christian Resources. 2008. ISBN 9781933376929.
Impact: The Student Leadership Devotional. Thomas Nelson Publishers. 2012. ISBN 9781404174283.
The Book of Hebrews: An Archive of Exegetical Sermon Notes. 3H Publishers. 2007.
The Book of Philippians: An Archive of Exegetical Sermon Notes. 3H Publishers. 2007.
The Book of James: An Archive of Exegetical Sermon Notes. 3H Publishers. 2003.
The Book of Ecclesiastes: An Archive of Exegetical Sermon Notes. 3H Publishers. 2004.
The Book of Psalms: An Archive of Exegetical Sermon Notes.
Pathway to Discipleship. Thomas Nelson Publishers. 2012. ISBN 978-1404174405.
Unspoken. Harvest House Publishers. 2018. ISBN 978-0-7369-7299-4.

References[]

^ "Georgia minister to lead Baptists". UPI.com. 10 June 2008. Retrieved 12 June 2008.
^ "Dr. Johnny Hunt: A Passion for Ministry". The Christian View. Retrieved 9 October 2013.
^ "Ugly Car, Pretty Girl, and Mr. Pridgen". JesusMyAnchor.com. Archived from the original on 10 June 2015. Retrieved 9 October 2013.
^ "About Dr. Hunt". It's A New Day Ministries.
^ "SBC President's Page". Southern Baptist Convention.
^ "Bio for Johnny Hunt" Sermon Search, accessed 12 June 2008.
^ "Pastor Serves Same Church for 25 Years". Retrieved 2011-12-07.
^ Audrey Barrick (Jun 16, 2010). "Bryant Wright Named New SBC President". Christian Post Reporter. Retrieved 2010-08-26.

External links[]

Preceded by Frank S. Page	President of the Southern Baptist Convention Johnny Hunt 2008-2009	Succeeded by Bryant Wright

[1] "Georgia minister to lead Baptists". UPI.com. 10 June 2008. Retrieved 12 June 2008.

[2] "Dr. Johnny Hunt: A Passion for Ministry". The Christian View. Retrieved 9 October 2013.

[3] "Ugly Car, Pretty Girl, and Mr. Pridgen". JesusMyAnchor.com. Archived from the original on 10 June 2015. Retrieved 9 October 2013.

[4] "About Dr. Hunt". It's A New Day Ministries.

[5] "SBC President's Page". Southern Baptist Convention.

[6] "Bio for Johnny Hunt" Sermon Search, accessed 12 June 2008.

[7] "Pastor Serves Same Church for 25 Years". Retrieved 2011-12-07.

[8] Audrey Barrick (Jun 16, 2010). "Bryant Wright Named New SBC President". Christian Post Reporter. Retrieved 2010-08-26.

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