Patrick and Kristen Riecke are both Indiana natives who grew up in similar faith-related family circumstances. They met at Johnson and it was their common ground that led them to one another and set the foundation for their future lives as husband and wife.

The Rieckes serve the Kingdom in Ft. Wayne, Indiana, where they are both involved in the difficult work of hospital chaplaincy with Parkview Health. Patrick is the Director of Dignity and Spiritual Care while Kristen leads bereavement efforts at Parkview Health, guiding support groups for bereaved parents. 

While their careers are focused on helping people deal with the difficult topic of death and dying, they both live their lives full of joy and gratitude for every day of life. They are blessed with four children on earth and one child in heaven. It is the one in heaven that is their daily motivation for the great family relationships they enjoy today and their efforts to bring comfort and consolation to those experiencing the trials related to end-of-life issues.

While not a personal graduate of Johnson University, Brandon has taken some graduate-level courses with the school and is married to alumna Jamie (Whittemore, '07) Perry. 

Doors to ministry and coaching opened in unique ways for Brandon throughout his journey. When he received the opportunity to be the head men's basketball coach at Johnson University, it was not a position he pursued but rather a door he walked through when offered the chance.  

Through coaching, Brandon has found a way to impact lives for the Gospel through community with a "band of brothers" he coaches in basketball and in life.

Listen in to Brandon's journey from would-be baseball prospect to NCCAA National Championship coach (2021) and 2018 NCCAA Coach of the Year.

The guest for Monday's episode of the Sojournal podcast is Brandon Perry. Brandon serves Johnson University Tennessee as the Athletic Director and Head Men's Basketball Coach.

In this extended preview, we cut out a segment from Monday's 1-hour episode to give you a glimpse of Brandon's heart and perspective when it comes to ministry as a basketball coach. 

If you find yourself challenged by what Brandon has to offer in this preview, you will definitely want to hear the rest of our conversation on Monday.

After serving the University in admissions and registrar roles, Andrew is now the Vice President for Student Life and Dean of Students at Johnson University. He slides into the seat formerly held by 32-year Johnson University stalwart, David Legg.

Andrew grew up in suburban Atlanta in a faith-focused home. While he could have chosen a college closer to his hometown, he wanted to go to the college of his youth minister (JU graduate Weldon Davis, '04). Partially motivated by the enrollment of Andrew's brother just a year earlier, Andrew came to Johnson University in 2009 to study Media Communications.

A switch over to Nonprofit Management in 2011 put Andrew on a career path on the administrative side of higher education at Johnson University. Listen in to learn more about the new Dean of Students at Johnson University.

Dr. Bob McGurty is a newly minted graduate of Johnson University's online Ph.D. program in Leadership Studies. During time in the Air Force during his younger adult life, Bob was introduced to faith as a personal relationship with Jesus. Raised in a home where faith was not an important feature of life, Bob found his young adult encounter with authentic Christians to be life changing.

After the Air Force, Dr. McGurty and his family spent time in Bangladesh, the United States, and India as servants of the cause of Christ. Bob currently serves as the President of Calcutta Mercy and continues to spend time impacting lives in the Asia.

You WILL want to listen to this episode to hear Bob's story of how the Lord spared his family during the devastating tsunami that struck Bangladesh during the Christmas holiday in 2004.

Jason Yeatts was raised in Roanoke, Virginia, where he came to know Christ personally at Edgewood Christian Church. His original faith relationship started in the context of the Catholic church. He came to Johnson University as a part of a large contingent of students who enrolled from Edgewood Christian Church in the same year.

Jason married his wife, Tess (Paddock, '05), early in his academic career and they grew up together in their faith and adulthood. Together, they have four children (3 boys, 1 girl).

Jason's ministry journey included stops in Tennessee, Indiana, and Virginia where he currently serves as the lead pastor at East Tenth Street Christian Church in Roanoke Rapids.

The ministry career of David Woods only had a few stops. From his humble ministry beginnings in coal mining country David ultimately served as the lead minister of Park Chapel Christian Church in Greenfield, Indiana, for many years. Since planting the church in 1986, David has spent the balance of his ministry career with this congregation. He currently serves the church as an elder.

David married Cindy (Snow, '68) during their junior year at Johnson.

Drew Mentzer is a 1968 graduate of Johnson University and currently serves as a Trustee of Johnson University. He is married to Judy (Morgan, '67) and they have two children.  After his graduation, Drew held ministries in Virginia, Tennessee, and Illinois. After a 22-year ministry with Second Church of Christ in Danville, Illinois, Drew and Judy retired to Oak Ridge, Tennessee, to be closer to family. 

Drew continues his involvement in ministry by offering his services as an interim or supply minister for local congregations.  

Raised in Huntington, West Virginia, Don grew up in the United Methodist Church tradition through his teens. At 19, he gave his life to the Lord as a result of the influence of his aunt and the influence of JUTN alumnus Steve Martin.

After his academic career at Johnson, Don joined the staff of Poplar Springs Christian Church in King, North Carolina. He has served this congregation in positions including Senior, Associate, and Youth Minister since 1986.

In this final installment of the 2022 Homecoming Review series, we will get the chance to hear brief presentations by Drew Mentzer ('68) and Tim MacSaveny ('05) regarding "A Story that Changed Me."  These stories were shared as a part of the Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning sessions of Homecoming and were designed to inspire Homecoming attendees to consider their own stories of God's faithfulness through the uncertainties of life.