Our Moderator
The Reverend Ryan Patrick Johnson was born in Detroit, Michigan on September 22, 1987 and was reborn into Christ and baptized at the historic New Bethel Missionary Baptist Church by Pastor Robert Smith, Jr. in 1996. His journey began at an early age under the influence of Pastor Smith, Pastor Keith D. Wilson, Sr. and the late Rev. Dr. J. Allen Caldwell.
Reverend Johnson attended and graduated from the Detroit Academy of Arts and Sciences in June 2005. The Lord called Reverend Johnson to minister by instilling a passion for his word, his people and his journey. His fervent desire is to be obedient to the Lord, his Holy Spirit, teach the glorious gospel of the Kingdom and introduce the gift of everlasting life to all. Rev. Johnson received his license June 29, 2008 and was ordained on January 23, 2011 at New Bethel Baptist Church under Pastor Smith's leadership. Rev. Johnson has also attended Ecumenical Theological Seminary of Detroit in January 2012. He is currently in a Bachelor of Arts program in Biblical Studies and Theology at the College of Biblical Studies of Houston, Texas.
Pastor Johnson served in many capacities, such as Associate Minister, Teacher for Sunday and Vacation Bible School, Counselor for Youth, Soloist and Minister of Music at New Bethel Missionary Baptist Church, Class Instructor for the Michigan District Congress of Christian Education and Finance Manager in the Executive Ministry Team of SCREAM Youth Empowerment, LLC.
On November 12, 2016, Reverend R. Patrick Johnson was called as the 3rd Pastor of the Greater Burnette Baptist Church of Detroit, Michigan, “The Church That Burns with Heavenly Fire And Sinners Are Caught In Christ’s Spiritual Nette”. Prior to being called to Greater Burnette, Pastor Johnson served the First Baptist Institutional Church of Detroit, Michigan from January 2012 until November 2016, first as Interim Pastor and was then elected as Pastor later that same year. While at First Baptist, Pastor Johnson served faithfully as a bearer of the Word of God; a Minister of the Sacraments, and a sustainer of the love, order and discipleship of the people of God through his preaching, teaching, singing and overall care and concern for God, his people and the issues that plague our community and beyond.
In August 2018, the Michigan Chronicle recognized Pastor Johnson as one of fifty (50) “Men of Excellence” honorees, individuals who are visionaries in their given fields and inspire those around them to go beyond the norm and strive for the exceptional.
In July 2021, during the Fellowship Baptist District Association of Churches’ Annual Session, Reverend Johnson was elected to be the next Moderator and was installed among other elected officers in February 2022. Pastor Johnson also serves as the General Secretary of the Baptist, Missionary & Educational State Convention of Michigan, Incorporated, under the leadership of State Convention President, Rev. Dr. Wallace R. Mills, Jr., and is a proud member and affiliate with the National Baptist Convention, USA, Incorporated.
As the "Stretch Out!" preacher, Pastor Johnson is known for his fiery and soul-stirring preaching … and is known at times for taking the secular to the spiritual, with unforgettable messages to many through the Metropolitan Detroit area and beyond, including, "The Dog In Me", "Giving Him Something He Can Feel", “Somebody Loves You Baby” and "The Eagle Is Still Stirring" (a tribute to the late Reverend Clarence LaVaughn Franklin). In May 2021, Pastor Johnson released an EP of his highly regarded sermon “Under Surveillance”, which is now available for streaming and purchase on all digital streaming platforms.
He is married to the former Crystal Kelley and their marriage is blessed with four lovely children, Dwayne, Naomi, Raven and Rhyan, each child with a gift of praise.