Wednesday, January 30, 2002
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Wednesday, January 30, 2002 |
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Retired Navy vet Johnson is pastor at New Mt.Carmel AME Church in Sharpsburg The Rev. Edward Johnson has been appointed the new pastor at New Mount Carmel African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church in Sharpsburg and says he is embarking upon a program of renewed spiritual growth and outreach. "I am anticipating a tremendous population growth in the South Peachtree City, Sharpsburg, and Newnan corridor," Johnson said, "and under the anointing of God, I am hoping that New Mount Carmel AME Church will be a place for Christian discipleship and spiritual rebirth for all people seeking more liberating worship and Christian service." Johnson recently retired from the U.S. Navy as a 22-year veteran and this is his first ministerial appointment. He holds two masters degrees and is currently pursuing his Master's of Divinity degree at the Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta. Johnson is married to Dr. Vanessa Johnson, a retired 16-year Navy veteran, who is an assistant principal with Fulton County schools. As a retired Navy Commander, Johnson says he feels that he can provide excellent leadership to the Mt. Carmel Church family, but proudly says, "I count on the spiritual enlightenment from the Holy Spirit." Mt. Carmel AME Church is one of the oldest African-American congregations in Sharpsburg and has, in the past, been a traditional African Methodist Episcopal Church. "I hope the church congregation will embrace God's direction to 'go and preach the Gospel to all the nation,'" Johnson said. "Mt. Carmel welcomes all who come to praise God and work to save other souls for Christ." Johnson is working to develop various outreach ministries at Mt. Carmel, but he says the first priority is to "rebuild spiritual lives and rebuild Mt. Carmel AME Church so it can be more effective in reaching the lost, the last, and the least of God's people." Johnson says that he and the congregation of Mt. Carmel A.M.E. Church cordially invite everyone to join them for Bible study on Saturdays at 11 a.m., Sunday activities beginning with Sunday School at 10 a.m., and worship service beginning at 11 a.m. "The church is also seeking to find a church musician a pianist and organist to assist with its music ministry," Johnson added. New Mt. Carmel is at 6292 Ga. Hwy. 54 in Sharpsburg. For more information on the church's ministries, call Johnson at 770- 460-6446 or 770-521-7222. |
