Tony Johnson has been called to serve as the new senior pastor of 2|42 Community Church, a multisite church of about 10,000 with locations in seven southeast and central Michigan cities and suburban towns. Johnson will succeed founding pastor David Dummitt, who left last spring to become senior pastor at Willow Creek Community Church in the Chicago area.
“Tony embodies our mission of helping people take next steps with God,” said Steve Larson, 2|42’s interim senior pastor. “He preaches about Jesus and helps people discover and embrace their God-given purpose and potential. We believe he will be a great fit for 2|42.”
Johnson has served the last five years as senior pastor at Lifehouse Church in the Fort Wayne, Ind., area.
“I was never looking to leave Lifehouse Church,” Johnson said. “In fact, saying goodbye [to Lifehouse] is proving to be the hardest thing I have ever had to do in ministry. . . .
“Long ago, however, my wife and I made a commitment to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit wherever that may take us. We believe that through numerous affirmations and encounters with God, that we were called into this new role.
“I am honored to have the opportunity to be a small part of the great God-story happening at 2|42 Community Church,” said Johnson, who will assume his new duties in September. “Lives are being transformed and communities impacted because 2|42 is committed to living out the gospel message. They are showing God’s love in practical ways.”
The church, which launched with 35 people in Brighton, Mich., in 2004, has been among the 15 largest churches in Christian Standard’s annual survey the last several years. 2|42’s early 2020, pre-COVID-19 attendance average was almost 9,600. The church also has consistently ranked as one of the fastest-growing churches in America by Outreach magazine.
In the year-plus since Dummitt’s departure, 2|42 has continued to work toward “showing God’s love in practical ways,” Larson said. A “Summer of Serving” initiative this year has 2|42 volunteers focused on helping neighbors, businesses, and schools by assisting with painting, trimming . . . even cleaning toilets. “We want to be known for our radical generosity,” Larson said.
Johnson said he looks forward to working and collaborating “with the amazing team at 2|42,” but that he plans to spend much of his first year listening and learning.
Johnson was born and raised in Hartford City, Ind. He earned an associate’s degree in broadcasting from Vincennes (Ind.) University and a bachelor’s degree in business marketing from Ball State University in Muncie, Ind. He also obtained a Master of Divinity from Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Ky. He is married to Melissa and together they have three children: Magdalene, 13, Canaan, 11, and Jael, 6.
2|42 Community Church has posted a Q&A with incoming senior pastor Tony Johnson at its website, 242community.com.
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