Johnny Hunt Has Been Restored to Ministry by Pastoral Group
Johnny Hunt Has Been Restored to Ministry by Pastoral Group
Six months after it was revealed that the Pastor Emeritus of FBC Woodstock and former President of the Southern Baptist Convention, Johnny Hunt, either committed sexual assault against a family friend over a decade ago (her side) or a “brief, improper encounter” that was fully “consensual” (his side) resulting in him being formally suspended from the church he founded and pastored for decades, Hunt has been deemed fit to return to ministry by as panel of pastors overseeing his restoration.
Hunt, who himself is said to have restored over 400 pastors, underwent an “intense season of transparency, reflection, and restoration” with the full blessing of his church, led by Mark Hoover of NewSpring Church, Benny Tate of Rock Springs Church, Mike Whitson of First Baptist Church, and Steven Kyle of Hiland Park Baptist Church.
In a video about the matter, they do not address the veracity of the claims, nor the woman in question who tells a much different story than Hunt, but rather heap praise upon the disgraced pastor in very flattering and glowing terms.
Over the course of the last several months, Johnny and Janet had submitted themselves to a series of intense private counselling sessions together. Alongside that, Pastor Johnny engaged separately in an onsite intensive counselling program as well. This is all in addition to the 16 weeks of private counselling the Hunts participated in 12 years ago, when the original incident occurred.
At the time of the incident, the congregation was never told about Hunt’s indiscretions and the whole thing was swept under the rug by multiple SBC Pastors.
When Johnny has conviction he puts everything he’s got into it, all of his energy, every minute, and we’ve seen the same conviction during these last several months. He has made this process his full-time job. He’s been all-in on healing his family and ensuring that he’s fulfilled the biblically required process of repentance and restoration.
And he has, and this may sound strange, but he’s been all-in on the humility required to open his entire life and heart to us, also to his counsellors, and other spiritual and personal advisors. …I believe we can recognise when someone is truly repentant or not. When they take these obligations seriously or they don’t. And I’m so grateful for the spirit and attitude with which Johhny has approached our probing questions and our challenges to them, and the ongoing requirements we’ve set out for them. And all that one more thing.
Addressing the previous counselling that was said to have taken place, which was never made public, Hoover concludes:
This was a unique circumstance in that there was a process of restoration, which also took place 12 years ago, that process included counselling, and a confession to those involved. We believe that process was real, it was substantial, and it was biblical.
Kyle concludes:
We believe the greatest days of ministry for Johnny hunt, are the days ahead. And I’m thankful that we have a God that that forgives, restores, and a God that works in powerful and mighty ways. And so and so for that, we are grateful.
Hunt himself appears at the very end of the video and shares “In the remaining years of ministry, I’m praying that the lessons God has taught me through all this, he’ll use for His glory in the lives of others, particularly as I continue to be committed to mentor and encourage pastors, and to preach God’s word, every opportunity that he gives me.”
