Date: Fri 12-Apr-1996

Publication: Bee

Author: ANDREA

Quick Words:

Johnson-Baptist-Church

Full Text:

WITH SNOWY PHOTO: A New Church Takes Root In Sandy Hook

B Y A NDREA Z IMMERMANN

Mother's Day will be extra special in Sandy Hook Center this year because that

is the day Pastor Allen Johnson will hold the first service of the newly

established Newtown Baptist Church at 102 Church Hill Road. And, quite

naturally, his mother will be the one providing the piano music.

"I felt the need to start a church," said Pastor Johnson, who received his BS

from Hyles-Anderson College and has been assistant minister at the Light House

Baptist Church in Waterbury for the past 3« years. "My hope for the church, a

gospel ministry, is to get the word out: that everyone will come to know Jesus

Christ as Savior... And that people will know 100 percent, for sure, without a

doubt, that they will go to heaven," he said.

The church, a "family ministry," will offer Sunday School at 10 am, Sunday

preaching services at 11 am and 6 pm, and Wednesday prayer meetings and Bible

study at 7 pm. Besides nurturing a local congregation, the pastor hopes the

church will help support missionaries as part of a worldwide vision. He would

also like to spread the word through a ministry at the prison, Ashlar, and at

Eagle Hill, if possible.

"Everything we teach and preach in our church will be directly from the

Bible," said Mr Johnson. "I'm a human being - but I try my best to do what's

right all the time. I try to do what I preach, but I can't forget that I am

made of flesh."

The pastor said he had led "a wild life" until he was transferred to

California and, at the age of 20, was told by a new friend that he needed to

go to church. "That first Sunday I accepted Jesus Christ as my Savior," and

then he started going to a nearby Baptist church where he was subsequently

baptized. In 1986, he was laid off from his job and decided to move back to

Connecticut. Then, and after attending Bible college, he worked transporting

heavy equipment for his father's company, John Johnson & Sons. He continues to

drive the 22-wheeler tractor trailer locally, but will work the job only four

days a week when the church begins. "Eventually, I hope to be full-time

ministering," he said.

Mr Johnson was ordained at the church in Waterbury, which has attested to the

fact that he is ready to lead his own congregation. As is the Light House

Baptist Church, the Newtown Baptist Church is an independent church - self

supporting, and not part of Southern or American Baptist Convention, according

to Mr Johnson. "With an independent church, all the money stays [right here]

and supports our church," he said. "I answer to God and to the congregation,

not a [hierarchical] organization." Other independent Baptist churches have

offered to support the Newtown Baptist Church for its first year, he said.

The pastor's wife, Evelyn, said, "I'm just excited because of all the new

people we will get to meet and to see what God has in store for us - the lives

we'll get to reach," she said. "And I'm excited to see my husband preach." The

couple has a 23-month old daughter, Sabreena, and is expecting another one

soon.

"Basically, we're starting from Ground Zero," said Mr Johnson. He and

volunteers have spent a great deal of time renovating the store front

property, formerly the site of the Harley Davidson motorcycle shop. "We've

been getting the word out and asking people to come. All are welcome.

"I used to drink a lot and party - just led the wild life. I gave up a lot of

the things that were wrong and started living more for the Lord - I took Him

at His word," said Mr Johnson. "I know what I was and know what the Lord has

made me. And I'm nothing special. So I know what God can do if [people] let

Him work in their lives."

All are welcome to attend The Newtown Baptist Church, 102 Church Hill Road,

Sandy Hook. Services will begin on May 12, and will be held Sundays at 11 am

and 6 pm, Sunday school is at 10 am; Wednesday prayer meeting and Bible study

is at 7 pm. For more information, contact the Johnsons at 426-3819.