Meet Johnnie Porter | PGMBC Senior Pastor

We had the good fortune of connecting with Johnnie Porter and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Johnnie, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I have been an entrepreneur since I was 15 years old. The spirit of entrepreneurship runs deep in my family on my mother’s side. My grandfather and many of his children were entrepreneurs. Today, I am very passionate about entrepreneurship because it allows me to access a certain financial freedom I could never acquire working a regular 9-5. However, for many years I have done both simultaneously. My ultimate goal is to be a full-time entrepreneur with a thriving network of businesses that not only replace my income but rather exceed it. I truly enjoy inspiring others to embrace the spirit of entrepreneurship for many reasons. However, I’ve learned that this is not for everyone. I remember how inspired I was by the spirit of entrepreneurship that is in great abundance here in Atlanta. I remember moving here from Texas and believing once and for all that anything I dreamed could become a reality. Since my arrival here, Out of the seven businesses I have started since 1999, I continue to operate 5 of those businesses. God has truly been good.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I have served 24 years as a clinically trained Hospice Chaplain throughout metro Atlanta. I own Caring Heart Consulting & Counseling Services, Empower365 Consulting Enterprises, and am a licensed Life Insurance Broker. I also work in other entrepreneurial areas that focus on finances. Each of these businesses is directly connected to and an extension of my ministry. As a pastor, each business allows me to help my congregation and community and others who need resources and help outside of prayer and preaching. These businesses allow me to participate in the doings. For it’s in the doings that I hope to hear the Lord say, “Well done, my good and faithful servants!”

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I would take my best friends to find the best BBQ & Soul food that we could find. Let’s just say that whatever spot we choose, they would have to have brisket! I’m from Texas and haven’t found the best spot yet, but we’d have a blast trying out a few of Atlanta’s top spots. I would then visit some of the local sites in Downtown Atlanta and maybe catch a game. I’m not a hangout type of person, but I am more of a backyard get-together guy. I love a good cookout where we can connect, talk, and enjoy each other. For a week-long trip, we’d have to go out of town to either Savanna or Athens, Georgia, to do something fun.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Over the years, I, as the pastor of Pleasant Grove Missionary Baptist Church, have been blessed to have had wonderful mentors, teachers, and leaders. Each has poured into my development and cared about my growth and process. My father and parents, and my best friends who are no longer with us. One is my younger brother, who passed away in 2021. Every member I had the opportunity to serve as pastor in my previous ministries, New Bethesda Christian Ministries and Living Grace Life Church, has helped me to become the best pastor I can be for Pleasant Grove Missionary Baptist Church. I recognize the contributions of each person and experience which has led me to this point. Recently, I authored a new book that focuses on faith and finances, titled “The Peace Is In The Strategy” (Revealing the Strategic Advantages of Wealth, Faith & Finances!) The members of PGMBC have been a true blessing, and each of them inspires me to be the best leader I can be. I am truly honored to be their servant leader.

Website: https://www.pleasantgrovedouglasville.org

Facebook: https://facebook.com/PGMBC?mibextid=kFxxJD

Other: https://www.mwrfinancial.com/mwrfaith/?member=gracewtworks

www.CaringHeartCCS.com

Image Credits
From left to right: Evangelist Francis Goodman, Minister Lavern Hawkins, Pastor Johnnie Porter, Minister Mary Evans.