Hope Mills 2nd congregation has a new bishop

Pictured (Left to Right): Bishopric First Counselor Scott Lovejoy, Bishop Michael Johnson, and Bishopric Second Counselor Timothy Buckner

The Hope Mills 2nd congregation of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has a new bishop. Michael Johnson succeeds Jason McDaniel, who served for almost three years and will soon move out of the area due to his employment.

The Church of Jesus Christ has a lay ministry. Bishops and other local leaders serve voluntarily, without pay, and do so in addition to the family, employment, and other community responsibilities. Members do not generally request specific positions. Instead, local leaders extend assignments after seeking guidance from the Lord through prayer. After Johnson expressed his willingness to accept this new calling, the stake presidency presented his name to the Hope Mills congregation.

Bishop Johnson and his wife are new to the area but excited for the opportunity to serve and get to know everyone. A bishop's foremost responsibility is to the rising generation in the congregation, including young single adults.

While a bishop has oversight for everything, he has a lot of help. Serving with Bishop Johnson as a counselor is Scott Lovejoy and Tim Buckner, who will help him carry out the responsibility of ministering to the congregation's spiritual and temporal needs.

Brother Lovejoy is a chaplain in the military and a full-time minister in his personal and professional life. Tim Buckner has served in various capacities for almost a decade in this congregation, getting to know each member as if they were his own family.

The Hope Mills congregation meets at 5810 Rockfish Rd, Hope Mills, NC 28348. Visitors are always welcome to join worship services each Sunday at 9:00 a.m.

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