Everett pastor relies on his flock to stay relevant
Published 8:55 pm Sunday, November 29, 2009
The Rev. Wes Johnson spends half his time preparing sermons for his congregation at Bethel Baptist Church in Everett.
It’s not a one-pastor show.
Johnson previews each discourse with a team of advisers.
“I am the conceptual thinker,” Johnson said. “Wednesday night, I share with respected brothers.”
Les Lewis of Everett joins the discussion with half a dozen men each week at the church.
“It has been my pleasure to assist in the formation of his sermons and to add the rare liberal Christian point of view to the mix at our weekly gathering,” Lewis said. “I have found Wes to be open minded as well as having a broad background in all things biblical.”
Allowing others to exchange views is a warm gesture from Johnson. Born to school teachers, he was taught the good word at home and at Esperance Baptist Church in Edmonds.
He rebelled once, in the 10th grade at Meadowdale High School, and drank three beers.
From age 15 on, Johnson said he felt joy when he was close to God. Now 53, he met his wife of 29 years, Kathryn, at Seattle Pacific University. He graduated from Dallas Theological Seminary in 1984 and then moved to Shelton, to the farm his grandfather built in the 1920s. He was a pastor in Aberdeen for eight years.
The couple moved to Everett in 1993 when he joined Bethel. Kathryn teaches at Everett Community College.
Two years ago he received his doctor of ministry degree in transformational leadership from Bakke Graduate University. Through the years, he’s done missionary work in Russia and Mexico.
The couple helped young people and gave them love and guidance at their home.
“My wife says it’s the Wes and Kathryn Johnson Finishing School,” he said.
Their church logo is “The family that adopts.”
“He is truly a man of God,” Lewis said. “He can be trusted to do the right thing, from his heart as well as from his deep knowledge base as a teacher of the word.”
Bethel Baptist began in 1901, on the corner of Hoyt and Everett avenues, for Swedish immigrants. It’s devoted to outreach work and offers a food and clothing bank. Johnson said they embrace fragmented families, grandparents raising grandchildren and those grieving over drug-addicted children.
Members of the men’s group helped with the Cruizin’ to Colby car show last summer.
“We had a really cool time,” said Bob Jones. “I never would have thought of volunteering, but Wes has a way of gently pushing you to your best.”
Jones helps work on the pastor’s 1966 Ford Mustang.
Steve Mosman, a Deacon at Bethel, said Wednesday sessions have been a great time for men to get to know one another, share stories, learn and grow.
“Wes is open, he listens, and he takes copious notes,” Mosman said.
The church leader knows each member of his congregation, said Harlean Mailloux. When she contemplated joining Bethel Baptist, she talked to Johnson about values and interests, to see if they meshed.
“He was able to pause, reflect and give me factual information about the church’s position and tolerance,” Mailloux said. “He knows each member of his congregation and supports us all. He knows our causes, concerns, heartaches and joys.”
She said the mentor shares his life openly and enables the congregation to do likewise. He makes them feel needed and appreciated.
Johnson, who reads books about military history, likes roast chicken and rice, and misses the TV show “The Unit,” said he is a natural storyteller.
He prays over each Sunday message. With a firm conviction about his beliefs, he shares his work in Everett.
“Part of my ego says go and do a bigger church,” Johnson said. “But I got a sense I could reach the world from here.”
Kristi O’Harran: 425-339-3451, oharran@heraldnet.com.
