From Fear to Faith: Ray Johnston’s Journey to Church Leadership (Part 1)
By Rob Wilkins
Having grown up atheist, the eldest child of alcoholic parents rooted in a faithless family tree, Ray Johnston freely confesses his initial reluctance to pastor Bayside Church, this year’s fastest-growing church in America.
Dominated by fear and insecurity, Johnston consistently resisted the pleas of others 25 years ago to take the reins of a thriving church plant in California’s Sacramento area. In an interview with Outreach, Johnston unpacks a series of critical, supernatural and often embarrassing epiphanies that transformed his leadership from paralyzing fear to empowering love.
Growing up, what was your spiritual background?
Zero spiritual background. I grew up in an executive, jet-set, wholly pagan environment. I was an atheist. My dad was a big hotshot in Southern California. Decades ago they wanted him to run for governor. He turned them down, and they got Ronald Reagan instead. Dad became an alcoholic, a rage-aholic, and drank everything away. My mom was also an alcoholic. Dad was an atheist; mom was an agnostic. Their marriage blew up. It’s interesting: For 140-plus years in my family tree, I can’t find one lasting marriage.
Tell me about your childhood and your relationship with your parents.
I remember one time it was 2 a.m. and my parents were throwing stuff—not at each other, but just letting it rip. They were crazy drunk, screaming at each other. Both my sisters came running into my room, crying, and I knew I had to get them out of the house. I was the oldest sibling and must have been about 10; my sisters were maybe 6 and 4. I took the screen off the window, hopped out and helped them climb through.
How did growing up in that kind of environment shape you?
It affected me in a lot of ways, but I would say it created great insecurity. The first thing I used to have to do when I got home was find Dad. Was he drinking or not drinking? Is it safe, or is he mad about something? Years later, I got married to a wonderful woman, and I would come home and ask, “Are we OK?” I had learned to assume that home was not safe until you thoroughly checked it out.
So what became important for you growing up?
Not turning out to be like my parents. I played basketball in high school and college; I thought I’d play professionally. Once I learned how stupid that idea was for a 6-foot white kid, I thought I’d go into coaching or some kind of business. I think what mattered to me is what matters to most teenagers: food, fun and friendships.
When did your parents’ marriage break up?
During my senior year in high school, shortly after being accepted into a four-year university, my dad called a family meeting. We never had family meetings. He said, “Mom and I are getting a divorce.” Then he told me that I was not going to the university because they couldn’t afford it. That was a complete game changer.
In the midst of all this, what influences brought you to Christ?
One of the players on the basketball team was a Christian and a really good friend. He hauled me to Lake Avenue Church in Pasadena. He said, “Hey man, you’ve got to check this out.” I had zero church experience; I was literally walking into church for the first time. I’ll tell you what, I was blown away. I remember walking out of the first service thinking, These people are a lot sharper, more upbeat and cooler than I thought they would be.
