Mark sits down with Mitchell Johnson, a church planter being sent out from Cornerstone to launch The Way Church in Austin, Texas. Mitchell shares his remarkable story of growing up in New Orleans, surviving Hurricane Katrina, a crisis of suicidal despair in high school, and ultimately finding faith in Jesus at Texas Tech University. The conversation traces how God used brokenness, mentors, and years of ministry experience to equip Mitchell to plant a church in one of America's most spiritually searching cities.

Episode Highlights

00:27 — Introducing Mitchell Johnson and his connection to Cornerstone Church

00:58 — The Way Church: launching in Austin, Texas on September 13th

01:22 — Getting to know Mitchell: a peek behind the scenes before the ministry talk

01:50 — Growing up in New Orleans: family background, divorce, and the Lower Ninth Ward

02:51 — Mitchell's mom goes to prison — and he finds out on his own at age eight

03:42 — Life in one of New Orleans's most dangerous neighborhoods

04:12 — Hurricane Katrina hits: staying in the Lower Ninth Ward without evacuating

05:40 — Trapped for four days, rescued by boat and helicopter, and arriving in Houston at age 12

06:25 — Mitchell's grandmother: a model of faith in the middle of the storm

07:44 — Depression, anxiety, and a suicidal crisis in high school

08:55 — A gold cross on a rearview mirror and the moment everything changed

09:28 — Coming to faith at Texas Tech University and beginning to run after Jesus

12:18 — Mark reflects on Mitchell's infectious joy in the Lord

13:40 — Ministry at Redeemer Church in Lubbock and the mentors who shaped him

15:35 — Being handed the college pastor role at 23 and stepping into leadership

17:33 — Wrestling with the call to full-time ministry and what shifted

18:11 — Moving to Austin Stone and six years of ministry at UT Austin

19:51 — The Way Church: mission, vision, and the launch plan for fall 2026

20:35 — Austin as a city: culture, spiritual climate, and why a new church is needed

22:54 — Reaching the high rises, the alleyways, and the dorm rooms of Austin

24:34 — John 13:35 and the heart of what The Way Church wants to be

25:06 — Celebrating what God has done and what He's about to do

25:49 — How to find, follow, and support The Way Church online

Resources

Cornerstone Sermons: Listen Online

The Way Church Austin: thewaychurchaustin.org

Ask Mark a Question!

Suggest a topic or question for Mark to discuss on a future episode of the Equip Podcast!