Ray Johnston

Ray Johnston is the founding and senior pastor of California megachurch Bayside. On Bayside's website, he touts himself as "A veteran pastor and visionary leader" In 2020 he served as the interim senior pastor of Willow Creek Community Church while they were looking for a new senior pastor, after Bill Hybels was allowed to "retire early" in 2018 after decades of sexual harassment and assault of too many women.

Mr. Johnston interviewed Hybels on the main stage of his California megachurch at the church's annual Thrive Conference in 2016. Mr. Johnson said "I had the privilege of being at Willow Creek, in church, and I was a member at Willow Creek for over 2 years. It restored my faith that a church could be a force for God and for good in the community and in the world. That doesn't happen without leaders that pay the price, and I am honoured to be able to have some time to interview Bill Hybels here at Thrive. Would you give Bill a Thrive welcome! [clapping and cheering]. Aren't you glad Bill's here? [more clapping and cheering]"

References

Bayside Church (n.d.). Leadership. https://granitebay.baysideonline.com/leadership/

Lomenick, B. & Alvarado, C.J. (2017, May 4). Episode 1 - leadership. Thrive Leadership Podcast. https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thrive-leadership-podcast/episodes/Episode-1-Bill-Hybels---Leadership-elb8ij