FBCJacksonville Blog

(left - Dan & Marianne Elkins, Middle School Pastor, middle - Shane & Allison  Johns, High School Pastor, right - Steve & Laurie Clifton, Exec. Pastor of Education)

My heart is overflowing with joy as I introduce to our church family our newest staff member, our High School Pastor, Shane Johns. Shane and his lovely wife, Allison (Taylor), were part of our First Baptist family during their youth years. They are coming to us, along with their three children, Seth, 9, Kallie, 7, and Luke 4, from Arlington, Texas, where they have been serving the same church for the past 12 years as the Student Pastor. Shane is an answer to so many of our prayers and is a gift from the Lord to lead our High School ministry.

Shane is a graduate of Trinity Christian Academy, the University of North Florida and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He believes that student ministry should be Christ-focused and relationship- driven with a balanced approach to addressing the many aspects of the life of the believer. He knows that good biblical doctrine is absolutely essential to proper discipleship, and wants to build that upon a proper heart foundation of a love relationship with Jesus not the intellect’s foundation of knowledge about Jesus.

Shane has a strong belief that even the youngest and meekest of students can be world changers so he pushes, teaches and holds students accountable just like an adult. He will develop a strong student- led ministry supported by active adults and will seek passionately to teach students what it means to fall head- over- heels in love with the Savior through his personal interaction with them and his leadership of our adult workers in our High School Ministry.

We welcome the Johns’ home to our First Baptist family and look forward to many years of fruitful labor with them on our Educational Ministry Staff Team! I know that you will love on them and tell them how thrilled you are that God led them here to lead us. You can contact them at 366-1216 or send an email.

Serving Jesus with you,
Steve Clifton
Executive Pastor of Education

Everyone has arrived in Argentina and we have already begun ministry. At a small lunch, Rev. McCollum and I met with area pastors and WOL missionaries and are entering into partnership to teach and train pastors and students in prison ministry.

The High School Choir will sing tonight in the new WOL Auditorium and I will speak sharing the gospel and giving an invitation. Be in prayer for the services tonight. God is so good in allowing us to be a part of sharing the gospel here. The young people are incredible and I am beside myself. Thanks FBC JAX – everyone who gave, prayed, and encouraged has a part in what God is doing here already.

- Pastor Mac Brunson