Dear Christ Church Family,
I am so excited to announce that the Rev. Dr. Dave Johnson has been chosen as the next Rector of Christ Church! And, I can also tell you that he, his wife Steph, and his children are equally as excited to soon be coming to Valdosta. Father Johnson currently serves as the Associate Rector at Christ Church in Charlottesville, Virginia. Information obtained from Christ Church of Charlottesville’s website provides some biographical information about Father Johnson and his family:
He was born in Newport, Rhode Island, spent most of his childhood in Springfield, Virginia, and has served in full-time parish ministry in the Episcopal Church since 1992 in parishes in Virginia, Wyoming, and South Carolina. He completed a Bachelor of Arts at Oral Roberts University with a double major in Biblical Literature and European History, a Master of Divinity at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, a Master of Sacred Theology at Nashotah House Episcopal Seminary, and a Doctor of Ministry at Trinity School for Ministry. He and his wife, Steph, have been married since 1990, and have five children: Cate, Becky, Abi, Emily, and Paul. Dave also has an older son, Andrew, who lives with his wife, Marielle, in Strasburg, Virginia. For fun he enjoys spending time with Steph and their kids, sports, and reading. Most of all, he is grateful for the grace of God he has experienced in Jesus Christ.
I know that you will want to join me in welcoming him when he formally joins us on June 29th, 2014. He is currently finalizing his work in Virginia, starting the process to sell his home, finishing up the school year with his children and preparing to move all to the Rectory.
I also know that you all will also want to extend our upmost appreciation to Phyllis Holland and the entire Search Committee. This has been a very long, deliberate and thoughtful process that has required many hours of research, travel, and prayerful guidance. I am convinced that we could not have chosen a better group for this most important task, and we are all eternally grateful for their service.
These are exciting times. Please stay engaged, stay involved and continue to keep our church in your prayers daily.
Yours in Christ,
Jeff Hanson
Senior Warden