Pastor Johnny L. Searight, MDIV, is a native of Luverne, Alabama. He is the fifth of six children (five boys and one girl). He came to North Carolina in 1973 to attend Gardner-Webb College. While at Gardner-Webb, he married his long-time sweetheart, Shirley Parks.
Rev Johnny L and First Lady Shirley P Searight
They are the proud parents of one daughter, Ka’Lundra Michele Searight Brown and four grandchildren, Nikell, Nichole and Noell (triplets) and Cameron who reside in Raleigh, NC.
He is a 1975 graduate of Gardner-Webb College where he received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Physical Education. He is also a 2009 graduate of Gardner-Webb University’s School of Divinity with a Master of Science Degree in Pastoral Care and Counseling.
Johnny was called by God into the ministry in 1972 and was ordained by Bishop Chester A. Kirkendoll at the Southeast Alabama Conference. After coming to North Carolina, he preached at several churches in the area, but lost contact with the CME Church. After graduating from Gardner-Webb and deciding to remain in North Carolina, he and his wife searched for a CME Church and were introduced to Roberts Tabernacle in Shelby, NC where Rev. George W. Williams was the Pastor. Rev. Williams nurtured and mentored him on the duties and responsibilities of a CME pastor to his flock. Rev. Searight was ordained a Traveling Elder by Bishop Nathaniel L. Linsey in the 1978 Carolina Annual Conference.
Pastor Searight served as Pastor of People’s Temple CME Church, Rutherfordton, NC for two years; Allen Temple CME Church, Gaffney, SC for eighteen years, Piney Ridge CME Church, Union Mills, NC for twenty years; and presently serves as Pastor of Jones Tabernacle CME Church, Lawndale, NC.
He presently serves on the Committee On Ministry for the Carolina Region, is an “at-large” member of the Carolina Region Trustee Board, and as a member of the Committee On Ministry is a Ministerial Training Coordinator for the Winston-Salem/Greenville District. He also serves on several community and civic organizations as well as a volunteer chaplain at the Rutherfordton Hospital.
Pastor Searight feels that the Lord has called him to use his skills, resources and personal contacts to help churches in physical need as well as spiritual need.
Most importantly, Rev. Searight has a BA Degree from our Heavenly Father. He is a Pastor who has committed his life to Kingdom Building and to the One who has called him into ministry.