Faith Alive: Rev. John Burnett

Where’s your hometown? I’m from a small town in Lousiana: Denham Springs. I graduated from high school in 1979, then I went to Louisiana College, which is like Mercer in this state. After that, I went to Southwestern Theological Seminary.

Where was your first church? I was director of Family Ministries at First Baptist Church of Ashburn, Ga. After four years in Ashburn, I was invited to move to Atlanta and become a Georgia Baptist State missionary in the area of Family Ministry. That was in 2000. After almost nine years as a missionary, I got a big promotion. God called me to be a pastor just as the state missionary position was winding down.

So you started looking? I already felt God leading me into the pastorate. After much prayer, we thought Columbus would be the best fit not only for me as a pastor, but for our whole family.

How do you like the traffic here? The lack of traffic is amazing. I was in Loganville. To get to the nearest Target, you had to drive 45 minutes — not because of miles but because of traffic. So we love it here.

When was your first Sunday? Nov. 8.

Who’s in your family? My wife is Ronette. Our children are Meg, 7, and Jack, 5.

Where are they in school? They’re still in Loganville. We’re having to commute for now. I either stay through Wednesday night and the alternate week I get here Wednesday morning and stay through Sunday. Ronette’s a teacher.

How did you meet? We’re both from Denham Springs. I went off to college and when I came back, she was the new piano player at church.

Talk about your book, “The Family’s Heart.” It’s about the need for churches to minister to and strengthen families. So many churches depend on programs but it’s a temporary strength. Once I helped paint houses in Mexico. The houses were made of cardboard. You’d go inside and there was no structure. One good storm would come through and it’d collapse. Same with a church — without a good structure, without strong families, it will collapse. ... I’m also a photographer, and I have a passion for cooking. I’m cooking Jambalaya for the church anniversary Sunday.

Hilton Terrace marks its 60th anniversary Sunday. The Rev. Woodrow Hudson, a former pastor, will preach. The service is at 10:30 a.m.