MEET OUR PASTORS
Adam & Morgan Johnson
Our Story
Adam and Morgan —
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Our journey together started long before we ever imagined planting a church. Over the years, God has shaped our hearts through everyday moments, deep conversations, hard lessons, and the joy of building relationships with people from all walks of life. We’ve learned that ministry doesn’t just happen on stages or in buildings—it happens around dinner tables, in common spaces, coffee shops, and quiet prayers.
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After years of serving in various ministry roles, God began stirring something new in our hearts. Through prayer and wise counsel, it became clear: He was calling us to start a church in Raleigh, NC. A city of influence. A city full of potential. A city filled with people God loves deeply.
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With our three amazing children—Zeke, Elina, and Eli—we now call Raleigh home. We believe the local church is still God’s plan for reaching the world, and we want to be part of that story here in Raleigh. Not just to build another church—but to build a community of people who are being transformed by Jesus and learning to live out their faith in real and practical ways.
This isn’t just our story. It’s God’s story—and we’d love for you to be a part of it too.
Why Raleigh?
We’re planting Turnaround City Church in Raleigh because God said so—and He gave us a deep love for this city. That’s where it starts. But as we’ve prayed and obeyed, we’ve also seen just how strategic and significant Raleigh really is.
Raleigh is a place of authority and influence—the capital of North Carolina, a hub for education, government, technology, and innovation. It’s home to major universities, global companies, and a growing community of future leaders. Simply put, the next generation is moving here, and the nations are, too.
With over 6,000 international students at N.C. State alone and more than 13% of the city born in another country, Raleigh has become a global city. Many come from places with little or no access to the gospel. What an opportunity—to reach the world by loving and serving right here in our own city.
On top of that, Raleigh’s population has exploded—growing by 30% in the last decade, and it’s not slowing down. But church planting hasn’t kept up. There simply aren’t enough churches being planted to reach the people moving here. Raleigh needs more gospel-centered, Spirit-empowered churches.
It’s also just a cool place to live—diverse, creative, and full of life.
We believe God is calling us to create a space where people can experience Jesus, build real relationships, and be equipped to live on mission. We’re not coming to compete with other churches—we’re coming to reach the ones no one else is reaching.
That’s why we’re planting in Raleigh.
Our Belief Statements
Turnaround City is built on a core set of what we call ESSENTIAL BELIEFS. These are the beliefs we unite around and on which we base our fundamental decisions.
Jesus is the head of our church, and His Word is the standard for how we live — as individuals and as God’s family — for the glory of God. All of our teaching and ministry is rooted in Scripture and flows from the following basic foundational doctrines.
God
God is the Creator and Ruler of the universe. He has eternally existed in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three are coequal and are one God. (Genesis 1:1,26,27,3:22; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19; I Peter 1:2; and 2 Corinthians 13:14)
Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is coequal with the Father and Holy Spirit. Jesus lived a sinless human life and offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all people by dying on a cross. He arose from the dead after three days to demonstrate His power over sin and death. He ascended to Heaven and will return again someday to earth to reign as King. (Matthew 1:22,23; Isaiah 9:6; John 1:1-5,14:1-30; Hebrews 4:14-15; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; Romans 1:3-4; Romans 1:3-4; Acts 1:9-11; 1 Timothy 6:14-15; Titus 2:13)
The Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is coequal with the Father and the Son of God. He is present in the world to make men aware of their need for Jesus Christ. He also lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation. He provides the Christian with power for living, understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right. He gives every believer spiritual gifts when they are saved. As Christians we seek to live under His control daily. (Acts 1:8; 2 Corinthians 3:17; John 16:7-13, 14:16-17; Galatians 5:25; 1 Corinthians 2:12, 3:16; Ephesians 1:13, 5:18)
The Bible
The Bible is God’s Word to us. It was written by human authors, under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is the supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs about living. Because it is inspired by God, it is truth without error. (2 Timothy 3:16, 1:13; 2 Peter 1:20-21; Psalm 119:105&160, 12:6; Proverbs 30:5)
Human Beings
People are made in the spiritual image of God, to be like Him in character. People are the supreme object of God’s creation. Although every person has tremendous potential for good, all of us are marred by an attitude of disobedience toward God called “sin”. Sin separates us from God and causes many problems in our life. (Genesis 1:27; Psalm 8:3-6; Isaiah 53:6a; Romans 3:23; Isaiah 59:1-2)
Salvation
Salvation is God’s free gift to us but we must accept it. We can never make up for our sin by self-improvement or good works. Only by trusting in Jesus Christ as God’s offer of forgiveness can anyone be saved from sin’s penalty. When we turn from our self-ruled life and turn to Jesus in faith we are saved. Eternal life begins the moment one receives Jesus Christ into his life by faith. (Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8-9; John 14:6, 1:2; Titus 3:5; Galatians 3:26; Romans 5:1, 10:9-10)
Eternity
People were created to exist forever. We will either exist eternally separated from God by sin or eternally with God through forgiveness and salvation. To be eternally separated from God is hell. To be eternally in union with Him is eternal life in Heaven. Heaven and hell are real places of eternal existence. (John 3:16, 14:17; Romans 6:23, 8:17-18; Revelation 20:15; 1 Corinthians 2:7-9)
We seek unity in our essentials, while embracing diversity and dialogue in non-essentials, and promoting charity (love) in everything we do.
We stay curious, ask real questions, walk humbly, and keep learning. You don’t have to have everything figured out to belong here — but we are serious about following Jesus.
We believe that the journey of pursuing a relatonship with God includes walking alongside people while wrestling through hard topics.
See something you have a question about? – Looking for something that you don’t see?
Get in touch with one of our pastors — we’d love to talk – connect@turnaroundcity.church