Today we’d like to introduce you to Roderick Johnson Jr
Hi Roderick, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I was born and raised in Nashville, Tennessee, and from an early age, I felt a strong calling to leadership, service, and ministry. My journey has been shaped by my faith, my family, and my passion for empowering others.
Growing up, I was always involved in church and community service, but everything shifted when I truly embraced my purpose—using my voice and leadership to impact lives. Now, I serve as the College & Young Adult Pastor at Mount Gilead Missionary Baptist Church in Hermitage, TN, where I help Generation Z navigate their walk with Christ and life. In addition to this, I’m a student at Belmont University, where I lead as the president of our collegiate DECA chapter and serve as a student life ambassador for university ministries.
Beyond that, I’m the host of Emerge with Roderick Johnson, a podcast that explores faith, influence, and real-life challenges. It’s a space where I share my personal insights and experiences, and bring in guests from different walks of life to have honest conversations about purpose, leadership, and navigating the struggles that come with both.
Through everything I do, my goal is to serve, inspire, and build spaces where people can grow. My journey has been about taking every experience, good and bad, and using it to pour back into others. Using my pain to fuel my purpose.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. One of the hardest moments of my life was losing my father, Roderick M. Johnson Sr., in 2018. It was sudden, unexpected, and completely changed my world. He was more than just my dad—he was our foundation, the one who led our family with strength, wisdom, and faith.
As the youngest and the only boy, stepping up after his passing felt overwhelming. I was still trying to figure out who I was, but suddenly, I felt this deep responsibility—not just to grow into the man he raised me to be, but to be there for my family in a new way. I watched my mother and sisters navigate their own grief, and I knew I had to be a source of strength, even when I was struggling myself.
Grief doesn’t come with a guidebook, and there were moments when I didn’t know how to move forward. But in that pain, I realized something—my father’s legacy wasn’t just in what he taught me, but in how I lived it out. He showed me what it meant to lead with love, to serve selflessly, and to stand firm in faith. And even though he wasn’t physically there anymore, his lessons were still shaping me.
The road hasn’t been easy, but I’ve learned that pain has a way of shaping purpose. While I still miss him every day, I honor him by showing up, by leading with love, and by making sure his presence is still felt in the way we live and move forward together.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
At the heart of what I do is a commitment to serving others, especially young people. As the College & Young Adult Pastor at Mount Gilead Missionary Baptist Church, I’ve been able to step into leadership and preaching at a young age, which has been both a challenge and an incredible opportunity. I specialize in ministry to the next generation—helping them grow in their faith, guiding them through challenges, and creating spaces where they can connect with God in authentic ways.
What I’m most known for is my ability to speak to real-life struggles while pointing people back to their purpose. My ministry isn’t about preaching at people; it’s about walking alongside them. I’m passionate about helping others discover how their faith intersects with their everyday lives, and how they can use their influence for good.
Being a young pastor and preacher comes with its own set of challenges. At times, it can feel like I’m still figuring things out, especially when I’m leading people older than me. But I’ve learned that leadership isn’t about age, it’s about vision, service, and a heart for people. Whom God calls, is whom God qualifies. When you show up with authenticity and humility, it makes all the difference.
What sets me apart is not only my age, but my approach to ministry. Ministry is not just about the sermon or the program, but about creating relationships and fostering community. I work to meet people where they are, making sure they feel seen and heard, and showing them that they don’t have to wait for the “perfect” moment to step into their purpose. I’m proud of the way that God has used the gifts instilled in me to reach others, impacting those who I encounter both directly and indirectly.
Alongside pastoring, I have a deep passion for content creation and podcasting. Through Emerge with Roderick Johnson, I’m able to share real, unfiltered conversations about life, faith, and leadership. Podcasting allows me to engage with a broader audience, offering insights on navigating challenges and staying true to purpose. I believe that through both ministry and media, we can inspire others to live out their calling and create change, no matter their stage in life.
Ultimately, I believe the greatest impact happens when we live out our purpose and serve others from a place of love and authenticity. That’s what I aim to do every day, lead with that heart, and inspire others to do the same, loving all with the love of Christ!
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
I believe the most important quality to my success is authenticity. Being true to myself and my values has shaped the way I lead, serve, and connect with others. In ministry, especially at a young age, it can be easy to feel pressured to fit a certain mold or live up to expectations. But I’ve learned that when I show up as my true self, vulnerabilities, imperfections, and all, it creates genuine relationships and deeper connections with others.
In today’s age of social media, where everything can feel curated and filtered, authenticity is more important than ever. People are constantly bombarded with images of “perfection,” and it can be easy to get lost in the noise or feel like you have to put on a facade. But I believe true influence comes from being real, from showing up as who you are, not who you think people want you to be. Social media gives us the ability to connect, but it also creates the temptation to portray a version of ourselves that isn’t completely true. When you choose to be authentic, you stand out, and that authenticity attracts people who are looking for something genuine in a world that often feels superficial.
Success is staying true to who you are – PJ Morton. That’s something I hold close to my heart because I’ve realized that when I lead with authenticity, I’m not just achieving goals, I’m living a life that aligns with who I’m meant to be. It allows me to speak from a place of real experience, not just theory, and it helps others feel comfortable enough to be real with me, too. I’ve found that when people see you lead with honesty and humility, they’re more likely to trust you and allow you to walk alongside them through their own struggles.
Whether I’m preaching, leading a team, or just having a conversation, being authentic has built trust and allowed me to create spaces where people can grow and feel heard. I’ve realized that success isn’t just about accomplishing goals, it’s about the impact you have on others, and for that, authenticity is key.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/roderickmjohnson?igsh=MTFhYnpveGVqdmhyMw==
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/19zeasQXam/?mibextid=wwXIfr
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@emergepod?si=WtZ4wfK-WzBR7zU1
