Carefree church adds new Reverend

STAFF REPORT~ 8/31/2011

Christ the Lord Lutheran Church (CTL), Carefree, has announced that the Reverend Michael Johnson has been called to serve at their congregation. He will serve concurrently with Pastor Robert Hutson, until Hutson retires in May of 2012.

Johnson is currently serving St. John Lutheran Church in Riverton, Wyoming and also worked as a chaplain for the local hospice agency and served the Boy Scouts as Central Wyoming Council President.  He is involved with the ecumenical ministerial association.  His wife, Joy, is a family support specialist, an advocate for families and children at risk.

Johnson also served at congregations in Springfield and Akron, Ohio and is a national trainer for The LOGOS Ministry, a ministry of congregations with children and youth.  As a member of the Rocky Mountain Synod’s Mission Outreach Board, he has helped oversee the development of new mission starts with a wide variety of emphases:  Latino outreach, “Emerging Church” ministry (among 20 and 30 something post moderns), “second site” ministries, and new urban and suburban ministry sites. The Evangelical Lutheran Church of America’s (ELCA) churchwide recognition for outstanding leadership in stewardship was awarded to the Johnson in 2008. 
“We are proud to have the Reverend Michael Johnson as part of our Congregation and we all welcome him and his wife to our community,” said Thomas Hoehner, President of Christ the Lord Lutheran Church.”
Johnson will be installed at a special service at 9 a.m. Sept. 11.  The Reverend Steve Talmage, Bishop of the Grand Canyon Synod of the ELCA, will conduct the service of installation as well as preach for the celebration.  The service is open to the public and attendance by the community is welcomed.
Christ the Lord Lutheran Church is located at 9205 E. Cave Creek Road in Carefree. For questions, 480-488-2081.