Brent Owen Johnston

Johnston, Brent Owen , It is with immense sadness but with trust in the promise of the Resurrection that we announce the death of Brent Owen Johnston, May 26, 2023, age 65, in Mount Juliet, Tennessee, following a battle with pancreatic cancer. A Celebration of Life will be held 11 a.m. Thursday, August 10, 2023 at Lebanon First Presbyterian Church, 304 W. Main Street, Lebanon, TN.

Brent was born April 1, 1958 in Charlotte, North Carolina, to Harvey and Roberta Johnston. He was a twin, the middle child of five (siblings: Eric, Robin, Kurt, Amy).

A lifelong scholar, he graduated from Providence Day High School in 1976 and held degrees from North Carolina State (BA, 1981) Union Seminary of Richmond, Virginia (DMin, 1986), Columbia Seminary of Decatur, GA (ThM, 1997) and the University of Aberdeen (PhD in Divinity, Bonhoeffer Studies, 2022).

He was a dedicated minister of Word and Sacrament for the Presbyterian Church (USA), for over thirty-five years, most recently serving as Pastor/Head of Staff at First Presbyterian Church of Wichita, Kansas. He also pastored Benton Heights Presbyterian Church of Monroe, North Carolina, as well as the First Presbyterian Church of Aurora, Colorado and the First Presbyterian Church of Lincoln, Nebraska.

Brent was passionate about the radical gospel of Jesus. He loved to mentor others and advise struggling congregations. He was generous with his time, encouraging and wise. He felt called to urban ministry, readily building relationships in the community.

Brent was devoted to Catherine, his wife of 25 years. Their children, Andrew and Emma, gave him immense joy and he was so proud of all their accomplishments.

Brent loved to travel, particularly to Europe and the British Isles, always hoping for a beach, a game of golf, a plate of seafood and a good glass of Scotch.

Donations can be made in Brent’s memory to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network

(PanCAN), the University of Aberdeen, or World Central Kitchen.

Arrangements by Bond Memorial Chapel, N. Mt. Juliet Road and Weston Drive, Mt. Juliet, TN. (615) 773-2663. www.bondmemorial.com