About John McGinnis

WHERE I’VE BEEN

I grew up in Charlotte, North Carolina…the younger of two sons.  I learned early to love the outdoors – and to live life as an adventure.  Freita, my wife and love of my life was also my best friend and sweetheart in high school.  We have two grown daughters, Amber, who is married to a wonderful son-in-law, Casey and currently lives in North Carolina with our grand-daughter, Layla – and they are expecting another girl in March!  Katie, our youngest daughter is single and works in retail and designs jewelry in Charlotte, North Carolina.   We also have what I call a “girly” little dog named Einstein.

I developed a sense of adventure early in life that has fueled a passion for travel…a passion which I have continued to feed since I took my first road trip to the Rockies with two buddies fresh out of high school way back in the early 70’s. 

I have made my living as a Lineman for the phone company, a Youth Pastor, a Missions Consultant with the Baptist State Convention, a Pastor, a Church Planter, and a Construction Manager.

I surrendered my life to follow Jesus Christ when I was 17 years old.  That decision to surrender later led me to follow a call into the ministry (and a change of vocation) when I was 30.  God has led me in ministries which have allowed me to travel and serve Him in various ways all over the world.

 

WHERE I AM

A couple of years ago, following two and a half years of church planting, Freita and I took some time ‘off’ (a Sabbatical).  We moved to the mountains of North Carolina, and began the work of remodeling a house that we own there.  We finished that project – moved to Florence, Colorado, bought an old building, renovated and apartment, opened and antique shop, planted another church (this time a house church) and sold the house in the mountains of NC!

I love to spend my spare time driving my Jeep – anywhere  for the simple fact that it is time spent out amoung the mountains with the wife that I love!

 

WHERE I’M HEADED

I would love to build a small mountain cabin up in the Wet Mountains with a view to the Sangre de Christo’s.  I am co nstantly looking at land.  (A trait that I picked up from my dad.)

 

I recently went through the certification classes with the Gallup organization for using the Clifton Strength Finder to serve others as a life-coach.  This has been a great tool in helping me to know more about myself and how to better use the strengths that God has given me to pursue future ministry. 

The top 12 strengths that show up in my personal theme sequence are:

Communication – People who are especially talented in the Communication theme generally find it easy to put their thoughts into words.  They are good conversationalists and presenters.

Self-Assurance – People who are especially talented in the Self-Assurance theme feel confident in their ability to manage their own lives.  They possess an inner compass that gives them confidence that their decisions are right.

Beliefs – People who are especially talented in the Beliefs theme have certain core values that are unchanging.  Out of these values emerges a defined purpose for their life.

Activator – People who are especially talented in the Activator theme can make things happen by turning thoughts into action.  They are often impatient.

Maximizer – People who are especially talented in the Maximizer theme focus on strengths as a way to stimulate personal and group excellence.  They seek to transform something strong into something superb.

Relator – People who are especially talented in the Relator theme enjoy close relationships with others.  They find deep satisfaction in working hard with friends to achieve a goal.

Responsibility – People who are especially talented in the Responsibility theme take psychological ownership of what they say they will do.  They are committed to stable values such as honesty and loyalty.

Woo – People who are especially talented in the Woo theme love the challenge of meeting new people and winning them over.  They derive satisfaction from breaking the ice and making a connection with another person.

Positivity – People who are especially talented in the Positivity theme have an enthusiasm that is contagious.  They are upbeat and can get others excited about what they are going to do.

Conntectedness – People who are especially talented in the Connectedness theme have faith in the links between all things.  The believe there are few coincidences and that almost every event has a reason.

Futuristic – People who are especially talented in the Futuristic theme are inspired by the future and what could be.  They inspire others with their visions of the future.

Command – People who are especially talented in the Command theme have presence.  They can take control of a situation and make decisions.

 

These 12 strengths are the themes that I act out of instinctively.  They point me in a direction of starting new areas of ministry .  They also put me on course for mentoring others along the way.

 

LIFE MENTOR

My dad taught me a lot of the things about the way I live my life.  I learned to value integrity, how to work hard, how to handle guns and tools, how to be a man’s man, and how to faithfully love.

 

LIFE VERSE

Matthew 5:16  “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they see your good works and glorify the Father who is in heaven.”

 

FAVORITE MUSIC

I like various styles of music…I love the latest contemporary praise and worship music from artist like Matt Reddman, Kathryn Scott, and Chris Tomlin (it tends to be more ‘rock’ in style).  I also love listening to ‘classic rock’ when I am traveling on the road…artist like Jimi Hendrix (I saw Hendrix in concert when I was in 9^th grade!) – Crosby, Stills, & Nash – CCR – Beatles – Eric Clapton.   When the IPOD’s plugged into the CD player in the Jeep – Jackson Browne’s “Runnin’ on Empty” is a favorite!

 

FAVORITE MOVIES

It’s gotta be action-adventure!  I love the good trilogy films like “Lord of the Rings”, “The Matrix”, and the more recent “Borne” series (Bourne Identity, Bourne Supremacy, & Bourne Ultimatum).  I also liked both “National Treasure” and it’s sequel, “National Treasure 2: Book of Secrets”.

 

FAVORITE MEAL

A good cut of steak (NY strip will do) – not too well done – marinated and served with salt and plenty of black pepper – don’t even think about getting out any kind of steak sauce or ketchup!

 

FAVORITE DESSERT

There are too many to pick only one – but a piece of plain cheese cake and a good cup of black coffee would be close to the top of the list.

 

FAVORITE ICE CREAM

If it’s in a cone – it’s gotta be Butter Pecan.  I pronounce that last word as pea-kon, not pah-kon, or pea-can.  Remember – I grew up in Charlotte

 

FAVORITE CAR

It would have to be a toss-up between the ’65 Mustang that I drove when I was dating Freita in high school and my present ’97 Jeep Wrangler.  I’m a Jeep kind-of-guy – it takes me where I want to go!

 

NICKNAME

Anyone who knows me from my younger days or through my wife calls me Johnny.  Some, especially my hunting buddies and a few who know me through various missions trips and projects call me Johnnymac.