Excitement is in the air at Ludowici Church of God. Friends and congregants are grateful for their new pastor, the Rev. David A. Holton.
Holton, a native of Fernandina Beach, Fla., started his new job July 18. He has been in the ministry for 18 years and spent 16 of them as a youth pastor and a senior pastor. Before coming to Ludowici Church of God, Holton served at the Turning Point Church of God in Greenville, S.C.
Before serving at Turning Point, the pastor was the area director of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes for Greenville County, which is home to 20 high schools, 22 middle schools and two universities. During his tenure with FCA, Holton said he worked with more than 2,000 coaches and athletes.
The pastor served eight years in the United States Reserves and is a Desert Storm veteran. “I was deployed eight days after my marriage. I have a big heart for the military,” he said.
Holton said he is a “people person.”
“I believe God has called me to love and serve people,” he said. “Being a pastor is all about being a servant. We must help people find the way to more peace and a victorious life.”
Describing himself as an “all-around” church pastor, Holton said he strives to reach congregants of all ages. “It is important for all ages of the church to be ministered to. Ludowici Church of God is a place of whosoever will. People can come and find a place of refuge, strength and encouragement,” he said.
The church has several ministries, including a growing music ministry. “My wife, Johnni-Lyn Holton, leads the praise and worship,” Holton said.
Church member Bonnie Tompkins said congregants are fortunate to have Johnni-Lyn Holton.
“Johnni-Lyn is both an accomplished musician and an anointed praise and worship leader. She says one of her greatest joys in ministry is leading the congregation into the presence of the Lord. She also enjoys working with the women’s ministries and helping women realize who they are in Christ,” Tompkins said.
There also is a children’s ministry, a men’s ministry, a food pantry and occasional clothing giveaways to help those in need.
“The church ought to be involved in outreach. We will be feeding the Ludowici football team Sept. 10 and Oct. 29, and will also do the devotion,” Holton said.
“The church is also an open facility to be used by law enforcement,” he said. “I will be serving as the chaplain to for Long County law enforcement.”
Holton offered advice to fellow pastors: “If you want those under you to follow you, then you must follow those over you. This generation has lost the honor and respect of those over them. God is a God of order. There is no commitment. Why should people stick it out in their marriage or job when they are not seeing spiritual leaders sticking it out?” he said.
“I grew up believing the coach, teachers and platoon leaders were right. There is a right way to disagree. As ministers, we are not in this individually. We are supposed to be brothers and sisters in Christ — we work together,” Holton said.
The Holtons have two children, Taylor and Jonathon. Johnni-Lyn is a master cosmetologist at Southern Styles in Jesup.
The pastor said he’s an avid sportsman. “I love any kind of sports and enjoy playing golf,” he said. Holton also played baseball at Georgia Southern University.
“We extend a cordial invitation to everyone to come and see what God is doing at the Ludowici Church of God under our new leadership,” Tompkins said.
For information, call 545-9615. The church’s parsonage is under renovation, so callers are asked to leave a message. Calls will be returned.
Anderson is the author of “Lack of Knowledge” and “Dare to Soar.”
Holton, a native of Fernandina Beach, Fla., started his new job July 18. He has been in the ministry for 18 years and spent 16 of them as a youth pastor and a senior pastor. Before coming to Ludowici Church of God, Holton served at the Turning Point Church of God in Greenville, S.C.
Before serving at Turning Point, the pastor was the area director of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes for Greenville County, which is home to 20 high schools, 22 middle schools and two universities. During his tenure with FCA, Holton said he worked with more than 2,000 coaches and athletes.
The pastor served eight years in the United States Reserves and is a Desert Storm veteran. “I was deployed eight days after my marriage. I have a big heart for the military,” he said.
Holton said he is a “people person.”
“I believe God has called me to love and serve people,” he said. “Being a pastor is all about being a servant. We must help people find the way to more peace and a victorious life.”
Describing himself as an “all-around” church pastor, Holton said he strives to reach congregants of all ages. “It is important for all ages of the church to be ministered to. Ludowici Church of God is a place of whosoever will. People can come and find a place of refuge, strength and encouragement,” he said.
The church has several ministries, including a growing music ministry. “My wife, Johnni-Lyn Holton, leads the praise and worship,” Holton said.
Church member Bonnie Tompkins said congregants are fortunate to have Johnni-Lyn Holton.
“Johnni-Lyn is both an accomplished musician and an anointed praise and worship leader. She says one of her greatest joys in ministry is leading the congregation into the presence of the Lord. She also enjoys working with the women’s ministries and helping women realize who they are in Christ,” Tompkins said.
There also is a children’s ministry, a men’s ministry, a food pantry and occasional clothing giveaways to help those in need.
“The church ought to be involved in outreach. We will be feeding the Ludowici football team Sept. 10 and Oct. 29, and will also do the devotion,” Holton said.
“The church is also an open facility to be used by law enforcement,” he said. “I will be serving as the chaplain to for Long County law enforcement.”
Holton offered advice to fellow pastors: “If you want those under you to follow you, then you must follow those over you. This generation has lost the honor and respect of those over them. God is a God of order. There is no commitment. Why should people stick it out in their marriage or job when they are not seeing spiritual leaders sticking it out?” he said.
“I grew up believing the coach, teachers and platoon leaders were right. There is a right way to disagree. As ministers, we are not in this individually. We are supposed to be brothers and sisters in Christ — we work together,” Holton said.
The Holtons have two children, Taylor and Jonathon. Johnni-Lyn is a master cosmetologist at Southern Styles in Jesup.
The pastor said he’s an avid sportsman. “I love any kind of sports and enjoy playing golf,” he said. Holton also played baseball at Georgia Southern University.
“We extend a cordial invitation to everyone to come and see what God is doing at the Ludowici Church of God under our new leadership,” Tompkins said.
For information, call 545-9615. The church’s parsonage is under renovation, so callers are asked to leave a message. Calls will be returned.
Anderson is the author of “Lack of Knowledge” and “Dare to Soar.”