Johnny Hunt


Johnny M. Hunt is an evangelical Christian pastor, author, and former President of the Southern Baptist Convention. He was formerly the senior pastor of First Baptist Church Woodstock, in Woodstock, Georgia.

Early life

Hunt was born in Lumberton, North Carolina. He is a member of the Lumbee Native American Indian tribe based in North Carolina. 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. 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 Immanuel Baptist Theological Seminary, Covington Theological Seminary, and Tennessee Temple University.

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

Hunt has held ministry positions at Lavonia Baptist Church, Mooresboro, North Carolina, Falls Baptist Church in Wake Forest, North Carolina, Longleaf Baptist Church, Wilmington, North Carolina, and at First Baptist Church in Woodstock, Georgia. 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.
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.
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

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