About Us

Our History 

Pathway Church began in 2001 with just a few families in Dan and Cheryl Hudson’s basement. We held our first public services in March 2002, and spent the next several years meeting at various schools in the Johnston School district (Beaver Creek, Wallace Elementary, JHS, JMS). 

In October 2014 we moved into the old NAPA auto parts store and warehouse at 6523 Merle Hay Rd., giving us a much more visible presence in the heart of Johnston and the ability to directly serve and impact the community on an ongoing basis. 

Since our beginning, we have been dedicated to our mission of making disciples of Jesus Christ both here and abroad. If you look around, it wouldn’t be difficult to find Pathway members involved in programs that feed the homeless, provide meals for local senior citizens, hosting grill outs for local low-income housing apartments as well as Bible studies for incarcerated teens and other valuable acts of service. 

In 2016 we began sending teams overseas on short-term mission trips to Zimbabwe where we host VBS events, visit schools, hold revivals and serve children at an area orphanage. We have personally seen the transformative power of God displayed in Africa as we have shared the gospel. And we have had the thrill of watching our African friends’ faith blossom and mature through our annual visits. The people of Pathway personally sponsor monthly nutrition, clothing and educational expenses for dozens of children in the poorest rural areas of Zimbabwe as well as a number of children who live in the orphanage in Chiredzi, Zimbabwe. In 2018 our team planted a church in Checheche, Zimbabwe and our continued support and partnership with that church has helped them go on to plant another new church, with more planned for the future. 

While our past is filled with exciting stories, this is only the beginning! God is still writing our story, and you are more than welcome to come be part of it!

Core Values

Our goal is to point people to Jesus. Worship, Bible studies, small groups, everything will be done with the goal of pointing people to Christ. 

A family cares for each other and looks out for each other. The church is a place of refuge from the battleground of life. 

There are no games to play, no shows to put on, and no secrets to hide. We take a “what you see is what you get” approach to ministry. People are encouraged to be “real” in their relationships with each other, with their family and with God. 

We believe that a commitment to excellence honors God and inspires people. 

We are committed to those who are not yet part of the church. Christ Himself said He came to, “seek and save that which was lost.” Every believer has a mission field that they are personally responsible for. It is made up of their friends, relatives, acquaintances and anyone else God puts in their path. 

The only distinguishing difference between the paid staff and the rest of the congregation, is that the staff have more time to serve. Every person in Christ is gifted and called to serve in the home, in the church and in the workplace. We are all representatives of Christ. 

God accepts everyone “as they are,” but loves them too much to leave them there. We understand that there has only been one perfect person. . . and He is now in heaven. Therefore we accept each other as we are, faults and all, and will do our best to offer support to one another as we walk the path of spiritual growth. 

We help connect people to God and help them grow in the spiritual disciplines of the faith. God will do the rest. 

We are committed to keeping prayer as a central focus of the church. We will provide fresh ideas and offer opportunities for people to pray in a comfortable “safe” environment. 

Preaching, music, small groups and every ministry of the church will strive to be culturally relevant. Jesus was and will always be relevant. We will not be afraid to change.

Our Beliefs

Here are some basic, Biblical beliefs that are taught at Pathway Church. 

  • Jesus Christ is the one and only Son of God, who died for our sins and rose from the dead.
    (1 Corinthians 15: 1-8 & John 3:16)  
  • The Bible is the inspired word of God - a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path.
    (2 Timothy 3:16 & Psalm 119:105)  
  • Every person has worth as a creation of God, but that all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.
    (Romans 3:23)   
  • Forgiveness of sins and the promise of eternal life are available to those who trust Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.
    (John 3:16)  
  • The Church is the body of Christ on earth, empowered by the Holy Spirit and exists to evangelize the lost and equip believers.
    (Ephesians 4:1-16)  
  • Jesus Christ will one day return to earth and reign forever as King of kings and Lord of lords.
    (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18)