Jacob D. R. Johnson
Preacher, Teacher, Evangelist, Visionary
Jacob D. R. Johnson is a proud native of Cleveland, Ohio. He is the eldest son of Wendall and Carrie Reeves. His personal testimony centers around the words of the Apostle Paul found in Ephesians 3:8, "Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ". Pastor J accepted his call to preach in October of 2003 at the young age of 23. One year later, his call was affirmed as he was licensed to preached the Gospel by Dr. A. Charles Bowie at The East Mount Zion Baptist Church in Cleveland, Ohio. His initial sermon served as the message for the ordination of 6 Deacons who were commissioned to serve. In 2009, Pastor J was ordained Dr. J. Louis Felton at the Galilee Baptist Church in Kalamazoo, MI. His favorite hymns are ‘Oh How I Love Jesus’ & ‘Christ Is All’.
Since July 31, 2011, Pastor J as he is often referred to, has served Transform Church AV (formerly known as The Growing Valley Baptist Church of Lancaster, California) as her 5th Pastor. He has led the church through some of her most challenging and character developing times. This includes the upgrading the current facility, purchasing an additional 4.3 acres of both property and land, the COVID-19 crisis, transitioning and a DBA name change to our current name, Transform Church AV. In a short period of fifteen years (15), Pastor J has served in various capacities in both the marketplace and ministry. He believes this is what God used to prepare him for sacred service and leadership. In the marketplace he has coached high school and college football as well as basketball, being responsible for the development of young men and women on both levels. He has also served as an adjunct professor at Kalamazoo Valley Community College, Vice President of the local NAACP, Founder/Chair of the Board of Directors of 3CG: The Community Contact Center for Growth, and writer for the R.H. Boyd Publishing Company. In ministry, God has opened doors at every level (local, state, national); this includes his current assignment in his second term as Vice President At Large of the Moderator’s Auxiliary of the National Baptist Convention USA, Incorporated, past Moderator of the Tri-County District Association, former President of the State Youth Convention, and a writer for the R. H. Boyd Publishing Company.
Pastor Johnson is a 1997 graduate of Cleveland Benedictine High School having won three OHSAA State Championships (Basketball & Track). In 2001 he earned a Bachelors of Arts Degree in Political Science from the College of Wooster and is currently pursuing a Master in Pastoral Counseling from Liberty University. He is the founder of Equipping You With the Word (EYWW) Ministries, author of a devotional entitled This Kind, a golfer, domino, and spades player. He's also a huge Ohio State University football fan, as well as the CAVS, Browns, & Guardians.
All in all, Pastor Johnson wants people to know the Lord Jesus Christ. He truly believes that if he can be used to help somebody, then his living would not be in vain. #UntoMeGraceIsGiven
