Elder | Jim Johnson

Gospel Hope Church is an Elder-led church. In the New Testament we find three titles used for the leaders of the local church: Elders, Overseers, and Pastors (or, Shepherds). The Scriptures teach that the church is to be led by a plurality, a team, of elders/overseers/pastors whom the Lord has raised up to shepherd the flock of God under the authority of the Lord Jesus. This leadership must come with input and accountability from the congregation.  

Jim and his wife Kathy moved from southern California to the Knoxville area in 2022 after retiring from their teaching careers.  Kathy taught elementary school and Jim taught instrumental music in grades ranging from 4th grade through college. 

Jim and Kathy were both saved in their early college years. Soon after they married in 1993, they were blessed to find a wonderful church where they received excellent expository teaching. They served there for nearly 30 years, Kathy working in children’s ministry and Jim serving as a deacon, worship/choir director, and eventually as an elder.

Jim and Kathy are blessed to have two grown sons, Dominic who lives in Oregon, and Matt who lives in Knoxville.

God has given Jim a heart for people, especially the men of God’s church, and he is looking forward to what the Lord has in store for Gospel Hope Church.

His favorite Scripture is Psalm 51, which also happened to be the first passage of Scripture to be exposited at Gospel Hope.