Salem Spotlight: Pastor Sonita Johnson Serves The City And Souls

By: Michelle Jones, Follow South Jersey Corresponding Writer

St. John’s Pentecostal Outreach Church pastor Sonita Johnson.

SALEM, N.J. – Having the pleasure of sitting down with Pastor Sonita Johnson is like no other. She is confident, dynamic, passionate, kind, and loving. To know her is to have a new found friend for life. Pastor Johnson shared her thoughts with Follow South Jersey on a variety of topics which only exemplify the qualities that make her so special.

FSJ. You are a very busy professional. Tell me about your background, and what you professionally. I am a pastor and the executive director of St. Johns Pentecostal Outreach Church (SJPOC). I have a BA biology from Messiah University and MBA from the University of Pittsburgh. I am currently working on an associate degree in Biblical Counseling from the Training for Service School of Ministry Bible College where Bishop Linda Latimer is the dean.  She is also my accountability partner, where we meet monthly.

FBJ: You are also the pastor of an impactful church here in Salem. Please tell me about your church.  SJPOC has so many things happening in the near future! We have a gospel concert taking place on March 22 starting at 1 p.m. and proceeds are going to support a ministry that helps those who have lost loved ones and cannot afford funeral expenses.  Easter- Resurrection Sunday is like the Super Bowl for our church. It starts with Good Friday. Then we have local churches walking and singing with a big wooden cross down Broadway.

Sunrise Service in conjunction with the community starts off the special day. I will preach on Sunday morning, and many young people come out at 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at SJPOC. All are welcome to come and then we have a big Easter party following the service. There are three different age groups for the Easter egg hunt plus free food stations. We will even have horses this year for everyone to have fun. Our motto is “Faith Hope Charity.” Join us April 20 for our Resurrection Community Party.

FSJ: Can you list all of the ministries you have that come out of your church? We have quite a few. We have a Food Pantry, Daycare Learning Center, Sunday school, Daycare choir, New Youth department (Church & Chill), Child and Adult Care Food Program, and our Salem City Community Ambassador Program (a partnership with Stand Up For Salem).Pathstone, job training for those 55 and older, Community Service site and Youth training.

FBJ: You have a large food ministry here. Can you share how you got involved in giving away so much food? Our food outreach giving ministry really is a family business. The outreach ministry started with my parents. It started back when my Dad, the late Elder Clayton and Helena Robinson used to get bread from Campbell warehouse, and we gave it out to families. Our Food Pantry ministry has grown to about 10 programs and with over 25 partners. Through our pantry we are also able to help people meet their community service hours through the Sheriff Labor Assistance Program and the New Jersey Courts. Our pantry is open twice a week (Every Wednesday and Friday) 1-3PM and our donations come from Food Bank of South Jersey, Farmers against Hunger, Senior Programs (State and Federal) Gateway, Bushel of Blessing, Food to Donate (Wawa, KFC). ACME, Walmart, Retail Rescue, New Jersey American Water, PSEG employee annual canned goods donations, and grants.

FBJ: On top of the food ministry you run, you also run a school! Tell me about your school, how long has it been open? Our licensed daycare has operated for over 20 years. My current director Lynne Saunders just celebrated her fifth year in December. We have 71 students enrolled currently and we are filled to capacity. Our mission is to provide an environment of love, learning, acceptance, approval, recognition, kindness, and security. We also impact the parents of the children we serve. We make it our mission to offer support and training to reinforce the teachings of our daycare. Last Friday the outreach team New Jersey State Police conducted a car seat safety session. One parent said she was almost in tears; the officers gave her tips for safety then installed a new car seat for her child!

We provide a well-designed, quality, Christian daycare to under-privileged children in Salem City. The daycare is located in an area struggling to combat poverty, crime and drugs. It is our privilege to help our students grow to be healthy, productive contributors to society. Our daycare embraces the opportunity to teach these children and develop them for great things. We also support parents in the process of applying for subsidized child care and assisting with access to community resources.

FSJ: You are known for doing so many fun things with the community.  I try to keep the community informed on what is happening as it  relates to grocery stores, safety, fun things to do, even jobs and training programs. On March 31 at 6 p.m. we have a forum that I am encouraging all of my community to attend to support the recycling company that wants to move to Salem. We have a planned five water days this summer June 24, July 8, 22, August 5 and 19, and our Senior Citizen Ball will take place May 30 from 5 to 9 p.m. The annual Block Party on June 6 and the Salem City grand finale will be our 350th celebration on October 4.  

FSJ:  Lastly you are a lead for the Salem Area Ministerium. Can you share what that is and how you became involved? The Ministerium is a collective group of churches in Salem City from different denominations that come together to serve the community in a variety of ways. My dad was a pastor so I came out to represent SJPOC and I really have learned a lot from other pastors. We really have come together in unity, and worship together on 5th Sundays too.

FSJ: To end, what do you think is the best thing about Salem? I think one of its biggest strengths is the Salem Area Ministerium. It is rare for organizations to put differences aside and come together to help the community. The ministerium does that with ease. People care about each other here. You can feel the love people have for one another. 

If you need assistance with food, community service, or are looking for a great church, reach out to St. John’s Pentecostal Outreach Church at 22 New Market Street, Salem, 856-935-1441.

Follow South Jersey provides local journalism which highlights our diverse communities; fosters transparency through robust, localized, and vital reporting that holds leaders and institutions accountable; addresses critical information needs; supports people in navigating civic life; and equips people with the information necessary to partake in effective community engagement. If there is a story or event you think we should cover, please send your tips to news@followsouthjersey.com with “NEWS” in the subject line.

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