Love & tenacity: Johnson invests 38 years in youth

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Randy Johnson, youth minister at First Baptist Church of Richardson, does not attribute his longevity with the church to his skills as a minister. In fact, Johnson, who will retire in January after 28 years at the Richardson church and 38 total years as a youth minister, says just the opposite.

"My long tenure in the ministry is what made me good at my job," he said.

Randy Johnson, who will retire in January after 38 years in youth ministry, laughs with student Ryan Reynolds.

According to Gary Gramling, director of Howard Payne University's graduate program in youth ministry, Johnson is one of the best-known and -loved youth ministers in the state.

"Many youth ministers started out as interns for Randy, and he has a love for investing in young ministers as they get started," Gramling said.

Johnson also speaks about the investment he makes in the youth. He refers to a quote from author and theologian Elton Trueblood who wrote, "Man has made at least a start on discovering the meaning of human life when he plants shade trees under which he knows full well he will never sit."

"Youth ministry is the business of investing in people," Johnson said. "I've been lucky to see the result of my investment as well as the investment of others."

He began his career at Monterey Baptist Church in Lubbock in 1975 after earning a master of divinity degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth.

"I thought God was calling me to be a pastor," he said. "But I was unmarried at the time, and no church was looking to hire a single pastor. I accepted a job as a youth minister, planning to stay for three years. I stayed for five. Obviously, my interpretation of God's call changed."


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He next served five years at First Baptist Church in Bryan. Johnson noted the average tenure for a youth minister was about 18 months in those days.

"I then went to FBC Richardson, where I noticed they had several staff members who were long-tenured," he said. "I've served with three different pastors in the time I've been here. I'm very fortunate to have stayed for so long."

Johnson has worked to keep his ministry fresh and creative and shares ownership of his youth ministry with three groups—students, parents and volunteers.

"And I've taken care of myself spiritually," he added. "People ask me, 'How old is too old to do youth ministry?' I don't know the answer. But I know you can do it until you're at least 62."

First Baptist in Richardson plans to name him as the church's first youth minister emeritus.


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