About Us
Our Church
Welcome to NorthStone Baptist Church in Pensacola, Florida, where our mission is to glorify God by making disciples through the faithful teaching of His Word. We are a Bible-believing, Christ-centered church committed to sharing the Gospel, fostering spiritual growth, and serving our community with love and compassion.
At NorthStone, we believe in the power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to transform lives. Our worship services, Bible studies, and ministries are designed to help individuals and families grow in their relationship with God. We are dedicated to sound biblical teaching, heartfelt worship, and building strong relationships within our church family and the broader community.
Our church offers a variety of ministries for all ages, including the Bus Ministry which reaches young people in grades K5–12, the Dei Gratia Ministry providing encouragement to adults battling cancer, and the Awana Ministry, which helps children develop a strong foundation in Scripture through engaging activities and Bible memorization. We also offer numerous opportunities for fellowship, outreach, and discipleship. Whether you're new to the area, exploring faith for the first time, or looking for a church home, NorthStone Baptist Church welcomes you with open arms.
Join us for Sunday services at 9:15 AM, 10:30 AM, and 6:00 PM as we come together to praise God, study His Word, and encourage one another in faith.
At NorthStone, we are more than just a church—we are a family united by faith, committed to living out the love of Christ in all we do. We invite you to explore our website, connect with our ministries, and discover how God is at work in and through NorthStone Baptist Church. Contact us for more information or to get involved. We look forward to welcoming you into our church family!
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.
Why the name “NorthStone”?
For the first 41 years of our church’s history here in Pensacola, we were known as Pine Forest Estates Baptist Church. However, in July of 2018, our congregation voted to change our name to NorthStone Baptist Church.
Here’s why…
The name Pine Forest Estates Baptist Church was quite a mouthful—five words but one name. On top of that, less than a mile away in Pensacola 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 cornerstone, 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 cornerstone 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.