As a licensed and ordained Baptist minister, Pastor Frank William Johnson, Jr. acknowledged his call to the ministry and preached his initial sermon on June 5, 1994.  He was ordained as a Minister of the Gospel on April 23, 1995, and served as Senior Associate Minister at Zion Missionary Baptist Church in Roswell under the leadership of the late Rev. Dr. Frank Lewis until he was called to serve as interim pastor at Zion Hill in November 2004. In February 2005, Rev. Dr. Johnson was called to be the full-time pastor of Zion Hill. He was officially selected as the 19th Pastor of Zion Hill in February 2005, and was installed on June 12, 2005. 

 

Pastor Johnson has been a shining example of what God said in Jeremiah 3:15 –“… and I will give you shepherds according to my heart, who shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.” Pastor Johnson preaches and teaches the Word of God. His vision to move Zion Hill into a loving and dynamic Christian ministry has motivated members to sacrifice and give their time and resources to support the vision God has given to him. Because of his pastoral guidance, the church continues to experience renewed spiritual growth and excitement in Christ Jesus.

 

Following his vision and guidance, several ministries have been added to the church including Children’s Church, Senior Ministry, Youth Sunday, Women’s & Men’s Bible Study, Mission’s Ministry, Family Care and Concern Ministry, and Hospitality Ministry. The Music Ministry has also expanded to include the Women of Faith choir.

 

Under his leadership, not only has the church grown spiritually, but has also been positioned for physical growth. Many needed renovations and upgrades have been made to the existing edifice and grounds to provide a glorious worship atmosphere and experience for the Zion Hill church family and our guests. The church purchased five pieces of property adjacent to the current church property on Taylor Street. This will allow us to make additional improvements and expansions in the near future that will meet the spiritual needs of our growing community and membership.

 

Pastor Johnson’s love for the members of Zion Hill and the people of Acworth is evident to all.  He can regularly be found visiting the seniors and sick & shut-in at home, in the hospital or nursing home. He supports our youth by attending academic and extra-curricular activities to cheer and encourage them.

 

His commitment to the service of our Lord is also recognized outside of the church and Acworth community. As a community, civil and human rights volunteer and activist, he has served as a member and community organizer for the M.L.K. March Committee Africa African American Renaissance Festival, and on April 9, 2016, was inducted into the Martin Luther King, Jr. Board of Preachers, Sponsors & Colloquium of Scholars at Morehouse College. He is an active member in the Atlanta Christian Cursillo Movement, and the Kairos Prison Ministry.

 

A native of Atlanta, GA, Pastor Johnson was educated in the Atlanta Public Schools. He is a graduate of Clark College (now Clark Atlanta University), where he received a Bachelor of Arts in English, and earned both his  a MA and a PhD in Radio-TV-Film from Bowling Green State University in Bowling Green, OH. He received his biblical and theological training at Gwinnett Hall Baptist Bible College, Carver Bible College, and the Interdenominational Theological Center (ITC).

 

Pastor Johnson is married to the former Velyna Elizabeth Conner of Augusta and they are the proud parents of one daughter, Joya Elizabeth and son-in-law Ricky Lang.