Pastor Johnny L. Griffin Jr.

Pastor Johnny Lewis Griffin, Jr. was born on December 2, 1937 to parents Johnny L. Griffin, Sr. and Bessie Cornelia Griffin in Williamson, West Virginia. He was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters Mary Griffin and Rosa Lee Howard, daughter Debra Jean Carr and sons-in-laws Elijah Barrett and Stanley Thompson. To cherish his memory, he leaves his wife Janice Griffin, two daughters Rayetta Barrett and Janel Thompson, son Johnny Griffin, III (wife Sharon), step-daughters Sherry Johnson, Janet Johnson, Melinda Frazier (husband Ronald), 12 grandchildren, 30 great-grandchildren, 11 great-great-grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, loving friends and spiritual sons and daughters.

He was an exceptionally accomplished musician and composer, playing the piano and organ. In his younger years, he worked as a studio musicianeral R&B and Jazz bands, which performed in venues throughout the Midwest, East Coast, and founded sev and several Southern states. 

After many years on the road with his bands, he went through formal educational training and accepted a position at Mount Carmel West Hospital where he worked in their Inhalation Therapy Department. He was ultimately promoted to a supervisory position within the department. Upon retirement, he established Griffin Janitorial Services, which provided cleaning services to many office buildings throughout the Columbus area. His employees often included his children and grandchildren. He instilled in them responsibility and the importance of having a strong work ethic. He emphasized that this work ethic applied even when the job was cleaning others’ toilets. 

Though he was no longer performing with bands, he continued his love of music by providing piano lessons to many (young and old), and by serving as the Minister of Music at various churches.

In September of 1991, he formally accepted his calling into the ministry. In May of 1995, he completed his studies from The Bible-Way Theological Institute. In September of 1997, he received his official Ordination Certification from the State of Ohio. He was then selected as Pastor of Burnside Baptist Church.

In October of 2021, he founded P.A.T.H. Ministries (People After True Holiness). The membership quickly grew under his leadership and with the support of his wife Janice who, with her exceptional singing, was his Minister of Music. One of his signature statements to parishioners and to all who would leave a message on his cell phone, was his greeting: “This is Pastor Griffin, please leave a message. Remember, when praises go up, blessings come down.” 

He served as the Pastor of the P.A.T.H Ministries. until his passing on December 14, 2024.

During his final days, many parishioners and others visited and offered prayers and support. Pastor Griffin, of course, gladly received the prayers and would then immediately follow their prayers by praying for them. He always concluded his prayers for others by saying:

“The LORD bless thee, and keep thee:

The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee:

The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, And give thee peace.”

Numbers 6:24-26 (KJV)