About Us

Our Name, Our Pastor, & Our Photo Gallery

Our Name

Why the name “NorthStone”?

For the first 41 years of our church's history, we were known as Pine Forest Estates Baptist Church. However, in July of 2018 our congregation voted to change our church name to NorthStone Baptist Church.

Here's why...

The name Pine Forest Estates Baptist Church was a mouthful. It's 5 words but 1 name. Not only that but less than a mile away is a church with a very similar name; "Pine Forest Baptist Church." People were often getting the two churches confused.

We are now known as NorthStone Baptist Church which is a unique name with huge biblical significance. In the Bible, the word "north" is often used as a synonym for heaven. (Isaiah 14:13) And, the Bible declares that the way to heaven is through the "Stone," Jesus Christ.

In Acts 4:12, just before Peter said the famous words, "neither is there salvation in any other" he explained in verse 11, "This is the stone ... which is become the head of the corner."

Peter is preaching Jesus Christ as the Stone. In Isaiah 28:16, the prophet explained, "Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation, a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation:"

That Stone is Jesus of Nazareth. In 1 Peter 2:5, Peter called the people of God to be "lively stones."

Just as our church has since its inception, so we plan to continue to be "lively stones," enthusiastically preaching and teaching the exclusive way North, to heaven through the tried, precious corner stone that is the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. For many of us, this name change is a very exciting time in our church's great history and represents a bright future focused on proclaiming the message of the gospel, and powerfully living out it's implications.

Our Pastor

James C. Johnson accepted the call to Pastor NorthStone Baptist Church on Wednesday, March 9, 2016. He was born in Charleston, S.C. before moving to Minneapolis, MN as a young man.

Pastor Johnson began attending Calvary Baptist Church in Robbinsdale, MN under the ministry of Dr. Mike Monte. Dr. Marc Monte served as Johnson's Youth Pastor.

Pastor Johnson served the Lord as the Senior Pastor of Temple Baptist Church in Muncie, Indiana from April 2008 –March 2016.

Before serving at Temple, he served on the staff of Good News Mission in Indianapolis for 8 years (May 2000 – April 2008). While at GNM he was the Director of the Youth Center and the Business Manager.

Pastor Johnson has served in full time Christian ministry since May of 2000.

Pastor Johnson completed his formal training at Indiana Baptist College in 2002 and was licensed to preach by Faith Baptist Church of Avon, Indiana in September of 2003. He was ordained at Lighthouse Baptist Church in Indianapolis in March of 2007.

Pastor and his wife, Britan, have 3 sons; Marc, Andrew, and Matthew. They enjoy serving the Lord as a family and look forward to seeing what God has in store with the people of NorthStone Baptist Church.

Also, in an effort to lovingly “contend for the faith” in the public square and herald to good news of Christ, Pastor Johnson regularly writes OpEd articles which have been published in a variety of secular newspapers including the IndyStar, the Pensacola News Journal, the Star Press and many more.

Further, Pastor Johnson is the host of the Strength For Life radio segments which can be heard on numerous radio stations throughout Pensacola, and across the country. He is also the host of Strength for Life TV which airs weekly on 3 television stations throughout the Gulf Coast.

Find him on Twitter – @JamesJohnsonSFL or email him at pastor@northstonebaptist.org.