Johnson appointed new pastor at Flat Rock A.M.E.

The Rev. Edward Johnson, past president of the Fayette County NAACP and retired Navy commander, was recently appointed pastor at Flat Rock African Methodist Episcopal Church in Fayetteville. Johnson says the church is embarking on a program of renewed spiritual growth and outreach.

“I am anticipating a tremendous spiritual revival and growth at Flat Rock as a result of congregational hunger for discipleship and Christian outreach,” Johnson said. “Under the anointing of God, and with the members’ willingness to follow an uplifting spiritual vision, I’m hoping that Flat Rock 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 second ministerial appointment. He holds two master’s degrees and is currently pursuing his master of divinity degree at the Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta.

He is married to Dr. Vanessa Johnson, a retired 16-year Navy veteran, who is the principal at Liberty Point Elementary School in Union City, one of Fulton County’s newest schools.

Johnson says he feels his background will help him provide excellent leadership for the Flat Rock Church family, but says he “counts on the spiritual enlightenment from the Holy Spirit.” While the church has been a traditional African American Episcopal church in the past, Johnson says he hopes the church congregation will “embrace God’s direction to go and preach the Gospel to all nations.”

“Flat Rock welcomes all who come to praise God and who work to save other souls for Christ,” Johnson said.

While Johnson is working to develop various outreach ministries at Flat Rock, he says his first priority is to “rebuild spiritual lives and build Flat Rock’s physical plant so it can be more effective in reaching the lost, the last, and the least of God’s people.”

Flat Rock A.M.E. is one of the oldest African-American churches in Fayette County and holds historical prominence as the mother church for many of the other African American churches in the county.

Members hold Bible study each Saturday at 11 a.m. Sunday events begin with Sunday school at 10 a.m. and worship at 11 a.m.

The Fayette County NAACP also meets at the church the second Saturday of each month at 4 p.m.

The church currently is seeking a part-time church musician (pianist and organist) to assist with its music ministry.

For more information on the church or its ministries, call Johnson at 770-460-6446 or 770-461-0283.