Pittsburgh recently named Nov. 16 as James and Dr. Sheila Johnson Hunt Day.
Johnson Hunt grew up in the Dayton View neighborhood, and she graduated from Colonel White High School in the 1970s. She mentors teens in job readiness skills and also works with Project Right Start and Young Ladies Rites of Passage.
The city honored the couple for their 25 years of ministry-related work in the Baptist community of western Pennsylvania.
Her husband is the senior pastor of First Baptist Church Penn Hills, and Johnson Hunt is the minister of music and executive pastor.
Johnson Hunt still has family in the Dayton area. Her family includes two sons, Julian and Justin, and a grandson.
She said she was surprised when she learned of the honor.
“As a person in the people development business, you do what you do because you love doing it and you are gifted to do it,” she said.
The husband-and-wife team also created multiple community development programs to help teenagers prepare for the workforce and help women gain self sufficiency after crisis situations.
“Everyone can make a difference in the lives of others because everyone has a sphere of influence,” Johnson Hunt said. “Your sphere of influence may be your children, neighborhood, church, community center. Whatever your sphere of influence make sure you leave a positive lasting impact.”
Hunt, a native of York, Pa., has participated in many mission trips and trained others for trips to Germany, Haiti, Mexico, Kenya, Russia and Liberia.
Johnson Hunt is also a gospel singer and recently released her seventh album. She also served as faculty for the Gospel Music Workshop of America.
The best part is “seeing people’s lives transformed to reach their potential against all odds,” Johnson Hunt said. “(It) reminds me of what has been accomplished and motivates me to accomplish even more.”
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