Member of the Month 

March 2007

 

Jerry Johnson

by: Tom Whitener

When I first approached Jerry Johnson to be the Member of the Month, he responded, “So I’m going to be the March Man”. Come to find out, he has never marched in the military or in a high school marching band. However, he did manage to march down the wedding aisle 16 years ago. We can all get in step with our March 2007 Member of the Month. 

Born in Portsmouth, VA, Jerry grew up in different cities as his dad got frequently reassigned with his Coast Guard duties. Now firmly planted in Kanawha City, Jerry makes his home with Pat (his wife), Gracie (the dog) and Pumpkin (the cat).  He is relieved that the pets get along. Jerry makes one further observation: “In fact, they’re the best of friends.” 

Jerry first met Pat in church. Pressed for more details, he laughed, “I was the preacher’s son and she was the piano player – but I guess you’ve heard that story before.” The dating couple decided to find a church for themselves and landed at the doorsteps of Spring Hill Baptist Church in January 1990. Jerry liked “the way we had church first and then Sunday School.”  

Becoming a Christian at eight years old, Jerry recalls, “The preacher only spoke a few minutes about Hell, but it stuck with me. I didn’t want to go there.” When the preacher asked the audience if anyone wanted to be saved, Jerry quickly put his hand up and then tried to make it look like he was just scratching his head. “I knew it was as simple as believing and accepting Jesus,” he said and went forward to make his decision public that night. John 3:16 and Ephesians 2:8&9 are Jerry’s favorite verses since “they present the plan of salvation in a way that’s easy to understand.” 

His favorite hymn is “Jesus Paid It All.” As a faithful choir member for many years, Jerry confesses the real reason he sings bass is because “the bass line is way cooler”. He was initially unsure if he could stay committed to the choir because of his work schedule. Jerry further comments, “I appreciate that we go over several weeks of music in advance. So if I’m not here, I still feel like I know what’s going on.” 

Employed by the Department of Highways for 18 years, Jerry does important work at the Central Radio Communications Office. He receives urgent information, relays that message to various outlets and dispatches the appropriate highway trucks to respond to the situation, whether it is salt for wintry roads or equipment for tree removal. We as believers also have important work to do. The unsaved must receive the urgent message of the Gospel and respond to it, but only if we relay it to them.

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