Sedley Johnson, Retired Chesapeake Conference Pastor for Over 27 Years, Passes Away

“If I could define the word ‘pastor’ to others, it would be in the person of Sedley Johnson.”

Retired Chesapeake Conference pastor, Sedley Johnson, passed away in Florida on August 22. Johnson, who retired from full-time ministry in 2016, pastored in Chesapeake Conference for over 27 years.

“Elder Johnson was truly one of the finest pastors and gentlemen I have had the privilege of knowing and working with,” says Jerry Lutz, president of Chesapeake Conference. “He was a man of sterling character with a heart filled with compassion and love for people, no matter who they were or from where they came. Until we see him again when Jesus comes, he will be greatly missed.”

Pastor Johnson began his ministry career in Chesapeake Conference at the Towson church (now Pikesville International). Johnson’s ministry led him to serve many congregations throughout Chesapeake Conference including Dundalk, Parkville, Essex, Northeast, Cornerstone, Pocomoke, and Aberdeen. After retiring in 2016, Johnson also served as the interim pastor of the Waldorf, Reisterstown, and Ellicott City churches. 

“If I could define the word ‘pastor’ to others, it would be in the person of Sedley Johnson,” says Ernest Hernandez, Waldorf church member. “He was an encourager to all of us in whose face we saw Jesus loving us back.”

Isaac Hewick, an elder at the Dundalk church, has known Pastor Johnson since the mid 1990s. “He was a very soft spoken and loving person,” he says. “He was always there for his church members any time you needed him, day or night. Many tears have been shed over his passing and he will be dearly missed by all who knew him.”

Ellicott City church member, Moses Anderson, remembers Pastor Johnson for two major qualities that were an inspiration to him. “Pastor Johnson was a man of prayer,” he says. “When he came to the Ellicott City church to be our interim pastor, one of the first things he did was bring back a focus on prayer meeting. The second quality was that he was a peacemaker. Wherever he went, an air of peace would soon follow. In a world of trouble and unrest, it was always a joy to have Pastor Johnson around.”

Johnson is survived by his children and his wife, Eula. Details for a memorial service will be shared at a later date.