When Randy Johnson left his position as youth pastor at Iola Baptist Church in the early 1980s he never imagined he’d return some 30 some years later. He had his own plan, but it seems so did God.
Right after graduating from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary with his master’s degree, Johnson served as the Iola church’s youth pastor from 1981 to 1984. He also holds a bachelor’s degree in church recreation from Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar, Mo.
While he enjoyed working with the Iola youth, the St. Louis native said he felt called to return to his home state. He took on a position as an associate pastor in Union, Mo., from 1984 to 1987 and then moved to Kimberling City, Mo., where he served as pastor for a church for 22 years.
His most recent job was at Calvary Baptist in Republic, Mo. Members from Iola Baptist, who had been without a pastor for many months, contacted Johnson various times asking him to consider coming back to Iola.
A key to his returning was his longtime friendship with Iolan Terry Sparks, with whom he attended grade school. Sparks and his wife, Cheryl, also attended college with Johnson.
“I tried to say no at first,” Johnson admitted. “I loved the church I was at so they asked me to at least pray about it and after that I just couldn’t say no.”
Johnson said he and his wife, Janice, a retired teacher, made the trek back to Kansas full of excitement for the possibilities that lay ahead. The couple have two grown sons, Jason and Josh, and two grandchildren.
There’s a major culture difference between his church in Republic and Iola’s. Calvary Baptist averages 600 to 700 congregants. Iola Baptist’s congregation has about 150 people attending.
But it’s not about numbers, Johnson said.
“Ninety-seven percent of churches in America aren’t growing. If it was easy, everyone would be doing it,” Johnson said.
His go-getter mentality is already being put to work.
“I’m in the process of formulating a five-year plan for this church but I want every church in this town to be successful,” Johnson said. “I’m not somebody who treads water. I’m a goal-setter and I want to challenge the church.”
The church has a strong ministry with students at Allen Community College. On Sunday evenings members feed 40 to 60 students and many of them attend Iola Baptist regularly.
“One of the greatest needs here is a children’s ministry and I want to establish a vibrant ministry,” he said. “We can’t just stop there though, we need to reach out to every age group.”
This Sunday the church will host the Christian band Unspoken for an afternoon concert, which is already sold out.
“This church does a great job of reaching out to the community,” he said. “They are super friendly people.”
Besides pastoring, Johnson serves on the executive committee of the Southern Baptist Convention and the Southwest Baptist University and will be a part of the Iola Ministerial Alliance.
“I’m trying to figure out why God sent me here and I think some exciting things are ahead of us,” he said.
Iola First Baptist is at 801 N. Cottonwood. Sunday morning worship service begins at 10:30 a.m.
Pastor guided back to Iola church
