Meet our pastor

Stephen Johnson wasn’t planning on becoming the pastor of Fellowship Bible Church. When he least expected it, he was tricked into attending a meeting with our leadership by his former pastor. “My wife and I weren’t looking to leave our church and start a new ministry,” he recalls. “In fact, when I was heading out for the meeting, she warned me, ‘Don’t commit to anything!’”

True to his wife’s instincts, he left that meeting with a commitment to preach the following Sunday. After preaching on multiple occasions and meeting further with our church leaders, they all sensed that God was calling them together.

Getting to know each other

When Stephen became the pastor of Fellowship in 2009, he was the youngest adult in the church! He is from Memphis, Tennessee, and although he’d lived in the Greater Dedham Area for six years, he was in a Latino church most of that time. Still, he only lived a short drive away.

But Stephen knew right away that this was a group of people who loved Jesus and carried few pretenses. That’s what drew them together quickly. “When I came, I saw a hurting church that had experienced some difficult times. After a community goes through an existential crisis, there’s no room for playing games and wearing masks.”

Becoming a tight-knit family

At Fellowship, Stephen and his wife have found a home and a family, very far from where they grew up. They are now knitted tightly with the community and couldn’t have asked for a more loving and stable environment for their three daughters.

Stephen, who holds a Master of Divinity degree from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, loves his role as pastor here. When he’s not shepherding the flock, you’ll find him reading novels, running and biking, or getting into the great outdoors.

At Fellowship, Stephen Johnson is not just our pastor, but also our shepherd and friend. We’re sure you’ll feel the same way if you come and meet with him.