A Man Named Johnnie

Bishop Johnnie Ervin Reddick keeps asking: How did a skinny black kid preaching on a street corner in Kinston, NC become the national president of the National Convention of Free Will Baptists, U.S.A. with more than 150,000 members? Now retiring from this position after 50 years, he looks back at his life and says, “It blows my mind. I never thought I’d get here.” At the age of eight, he knew he wanted to preach the gospel. He led congregations as he was growing up. At 29, he was elected Annual Bishop/Moderator, the youngest in the church’s history. Now entering his 80s, Bishop Reddick tells the story of his exceptional life ministry spent serving his Lord and his people, a continuing journey with God as a guidepost on the highway to Heaven, a life filled with obstacles and miracles, mistakes and achievements, small and large.

Every person who makes a journey with God has access to as deep a relationship with their creator as they choose to have. A pastor is no different; only that his walk is more open and observable by others. It is part of this pastor’s calling and continuing ministry to present his own life and journey with God as a guidepost and example that the highway to Heaven is filled with obstacles and miracles, mistakes and triumphs, some small and some big. This book merely serves as another reference tool in a pastor’s travel bag for those among his flock and any other seekers along the way who wish to consult it. While it is a humble sermon, we should be mindful of the great courage it takes for any person to open up and reveal their inner thoughts and feelings for all to see and judge, that much more for a person of long life and accomplishment.