Pastor Corner: Getting to Know Our Pastors

Donearl Johnson, Lead Pastor at LifeChurch Auburn Hills, MI

Donearl Johnson embodies resilience and faith, serving as the lead pastor of LifeChurch Auburn Hills (MI), a beacon of hope in the community. Six years ago, he took a bold step to plant this newly formed Covenant Church with the support of Alan Tumpkin (the Great Lakes Conference’s Church Plant Director) and the Evangelical Covenant Church (ECC). Growing up in Flint, MI, Donearl was nurtured by loving, Christian parents who instilled in him values that shaped his journey. After proudly serving eight years in the Navy moving up quickly in the ranks, he channeled his passion for justice into meaningful work at Focus: HOPE, an organization fighting racism and poverty founded out of the Detroit riots in 1968, where he met inspiring figures like Eleanor Josaitis (an American civil rights activist and the co-founder of Focus: HOPE).

In his faith journey within The Church of God in Christ (COGIC) he felt called into becoming a pastor and was ordained in this denomination. In pursuit of his call to create space for his diverse network to worship together, Donearl ventured beyond his COGIC roots and began to explore other Christian expressions and experiences. Along his journey, he met and connected with Dan Sadlier who was in the process of launching his church Hope Church Roosevelt Island which later became Mosaic Church NYC. Years later, Dan introduced Donearl to Alan Tumpkin, Director of Church Planting for the Great Lakes Conference and an amazing connection was fostered. Donearl and his team found life changing mentorship and guidance from Alan. Alan invited Donearl to an ECC Midwinter conference and he felt as though he had found his “tribe”. This connection blossomed into what would become LifeChurch Auburn Hills—a vision brought to life despite overwhelming challenges. The launch team formed in 2018 and began to lay the groundwork for something truly extraordinary; however, they encountered adversity almost immediately.

These challenges and adversities would test anyone’s faith and spirit. In January 2019, as they prepared for their first preview service, Donearl faced immediate challenge when both of his parents unexpectedly fell ill and ended up in the hospital missing the opportunity to witness their son’s first preview service. Fortunately, his mother was able to make it to their second preview service and witness her years of sacrifice, instruction and love invested in her son’s life bear fruit. However, three days before their last preview service, Donearl received a heart wrenching phone call that he will never forget. His brother called and let him know that his mother was unresponsive and it wasn’t looking good. While Donearl was on his way to Flushing, MI he received another phone call from his brother who informed him that his mother had passed away. Donearl had to navigate his grief while planning their official launch a month later. His Father was able to attend one service but his health began to decline after the passing of his dear wife. Later that year, Donearl’s father-in-law passed away.

Donearl continued to work tirelessly with unwavering faith and without truly processing the loss of his mother and father-in-law. The very next year brought further trials—his father passed away while Donearl was leading a new diverse church through a global pandemic that included racial and political tension. LifeChurch Auburn Hills celebrated their first anniversary on Zoom. Donearl would experience additional loss of family and church members, yet through all this hardship, he eventually emerged stronger and more determined than ever. He learned that grief is not something to be buried; it’s a journey that must be acknowledged and navigated. Encouraged by his daughter to seek help for processing these emotions, he discovered that seeking support is not a sign of weakness but an embrace of holistic healing—affirming that it’s okay to have Jesus and a therapist.

Donearl is married to his beautiful wife, Jenetta with four beautiful daughters who inspire him daily—ages 28, 20, and twins aged 17—Donearl leads LifeChurch Auburn Hills with compassion and understanding shaped by personal experience with adversity. He also serves as a member of the Public Safety Committee and as a chaplain for the Auburn Hills Police Department

Their diverse congregation gathers every Sunday at 9:30 AM at a local Presbyterian Church (3456 Primary Street Auburn Hills, MI), and hosts multiple community groups, and local outreach initiatives. They are deeply engaged in the community and currently preparing to launch the Auburn Hills Life Center – an after school enrichment program and family empowerment center. Let us take inspiration from Pastor Donearl’s journey as we reflect on our own lives—the power of perseverance amidst trials can illuminate our paths toward purpose and connection within our communities.