Johnny Hunt Extends Leave of Absence from Church Citing Exhaustion

Johnny Hunt, pastor of First Baptist Church in Woodstock, Ga., and immediate past president of the Southern Baptist Convention, has extended his leave of absence from the church through mid-September, citing physical and emotional exhaustion.

Hunt had been expected to return to the Woodstock pulpit Aug. 8 following his annual July sabbatical. However, Jim Law, senior associate pastor and administrator of the church, announced Hunt and Hunt's wife, Janet, will extend their leave by another six weeks.

The decision came on the counsel of a professional who encouraged the couple to extend their time away from ministerial responsibilities, Law explained.

Reading from a prepared statement, Law noted an "incredibly busy schedule for both of them, particularly the past two years serving our church family while at the same time serving our beloved denomination, they found themselves physically and emotionally depleted."

"Our pastor and Janet, right by his side, have been consumed with their responsibilities here because of their deep love for us as well as of the Southern Baptist Convention," Law said. "In recent days, at the encouragement of several of us, they sought the counsel of a professional and they have been advised that they needed an extended break from their normal routine.

"I know of no one else on the planet who has been giving himself away to others more than pastor Johnny," Law added. "Many people face physical and emotional weariness and that is especially true of leaders and their families."