Reverend Brian Johnson is the pastor of Haymarket Church. His father was in the Navy, and after moving a few times early in life, Brian spent most of his childhood in Springfield, Virginia, where he attended Thomas Jefferson High School and was a member of Sydenstricker United Methodist Church. He spent much of his youth honing a passion for Tex-Mex food, and he has very definite opinions about the relative merits of green and red chile sauce. An easy (and effective) way to earn a place in Brian’s heart is to make him homemade salsa or treat him to a plate of nachos.
After college, Brian and his wife moved to Durham, North Carolina, where Brian attended Duke Divinity School and earned a Master of Divinity. During this time, Brian indulged his lifelong love of Duke Basketball (Brian’s father is also a Duke Alumnus) by purchasing season tickets and attending as many basketball games as possible. Brian was present for Duke’s last home basketball game in 2010 (a year in which Duke won the National Championship) when Duke beat UNC 82-50. Along with his wedding, the birth of his children, his ordination, and his first taste of salsa (among many other moments), that is one of Brian’s fondest memories.
Brian is an ordained Elder in the United Methodist Church and has served churches in North Carolina, Richmond, Northern Virginia, and the Virginia Tidewater area in a variety of capacities. He has been pastor of Haymarket Church since September 2015. He enjoys spending time with his family, cooking, watching Duke Basketball, reading, and exploring the community. He particularly enjoys trying new foods, new recipes, and new restaurants. Brian and his wife enjoy playing with their boys, taking random adventures, and finding times to be near the water.
Brian loves being pastor of Haymarket Church and is passionate about enabling God’s people to worship God, helping us see our everyday lives in light of God’s story in Scripture, helping the church live out the Gospel in our daily lives, caring for the outcasts and marginalized in our world, and inviting all people to come and experience the transforming love of Jesus.
Brian believes that the things we believe should make a difference in the way that we live our lives each day, and he loves helping others discover the difference God makes.
Be sure to visit Our Leaders page to learn about the spectacular Haymarket Church staff and leaders.