Brian Johnson is the Lead Pastor at Williamsburg United Methodist Church. A lifelong United Methodist and Virginian, he brings extensive experience from rural and suburban settings—from a nearly 250-year-old congregation whose building felt as storied as its history to a newly planted church worshiping in an elementary school gym. Brian has served churches in Northern Virginia, the Richmond area, and Mathews County, leading worship in a variety of styles and guiding congregations of all sizes. His primary passion is proclaiming the Good News of Jesus Christ: telling the story of Christ’s death and resurrection and inviting people to encounter that story through worship, mission, service, and radical hospitality.
Brian also delights in helping churches connect with their local communities and welcoming new faces into God’s unfolding story. At WUMC, he collaborates with staff and lay leaders to deepen community outreach and invite skeptics, seekers, and longtime members alike to find their place in God’s work. Whether organizing a neighborhood service project or crafting a sermon series, Brian aims to make the gospel tangible through both words and actions.
He lives in Williamsburg with his wife, Kim, and their two sons—Jeremiah (in high school) and Ezekiel (in middle school). They are avid sports fans, Star Trek enthusiasts, and eager Busch Gardens explorers. As a family, they savor Tex-Mex nights, long walks on quiet neighborhood streets, and weekends spent discovering Williamsburg’s historic trails and hidden gems.
Above all, he considers it a privilege to shepherd the WUMC family, learning every day how God is at work in and through this congregation, and partnering in Christ’s mission throughout the Williamsburg area.
