Woodstock votes for Morton to serve alongside, eventually succeed Hunt

WOODSTOCK — Members at Woodstock First Baptist Church voted overwhelmingly for Jeremy Morton, formerly senior pastor at Cartersville First Baptist, to serve alongside Johnny Hunt as co-pastor.

Jeremy Morton preaches Sunday morning, Sept. 16, in view of a call at Woodstock First Baptist to serve as co-pastor alongside Johnny Hunt. FBCWOODSTOCK/Screen Grab

"Since I was a teen pastor Johnny Hunt has been one of my heroes," Morton told The Index. "Now, to work at his side as co-pastor is an honor more meaningful than I can describe."

Morton talked about what brought him to this point and the influences along the way.

“From a 37-year-old preacher’s standpoint, I know what kind of responsibility this is. I want to steward it well. Everything I am in my life is because of God’s grace and the the people He’s put around me.

"My parents, my wife, my friends, all the people in the churches I’ve pastored – they’ve made me who I am.”

'Show me His man'

Since Hunt arrived at the Woodstock church in 1986, weekly attendance has exploded from 200 to more than 6,000 and weekly small groups grown from 100 on Sundays to over 5,500. In terms of missions, under Hunt's leadership First Baptist has planted 130 churches, takes hundreds of short-term mission trips annually, and supports 45 families commissioned out of its congregation. This year the church reported giving $2.1 million toward missions causes. 

Hunt expressed gratitude in the Woodstock church's confirmation of Morton. At a future point to be determined between both pastors, Morton will become the church's lead pastor. 

"In praying through this transitional time in my life I asked the Lord to show me His man. I feel that Jeremy fits every quality I felt needed to lead FBCW to its best days," Hunt said. "He’s a great family man, a great bible preacher, a personal soul winner, and tremendous at building relationships with God’s people.

"One of Jeremy’s personal character traits is that he is teachable. This quality is huge. I love Jeremy and we have a great respect for each other. I’m elated that he will pastor my children, grandchildren, and my wife Janet and me."

Morton, a native of Warner Robins, previously served for five years as senior pastor at Cartersville First Baptist Church. Before that he had been the sole pastor of Cross Point Baptist Church in Perry, where he had been for 13 years. A graduate of Brewton-Parker College and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, Morton is currently working on his Doctorate through Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He is joined by his wife, Carrie, and their children: Zeke, Madie, and Abe.