[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 32 (Tuesday, February 17, 2026)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E141-E142]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




HONORING PASTOR JOHNNY M. McKINNIE AS A DISTINGUISHED LEADER IN CENTRAL 
                    FLORIDA FOR BLACK HISTORY MONTH

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. DARREN SOTO

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 17, 2026

  Mr. SOTO. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Pastor Johnny M. McKinnie, a 
quiet and devoted servant of God with a deep love for the Lord and a 
strong commitment to preaching, teaching, and community service. He is 
married to Lady Earline C. McKinnie, and together they are blessed with 
four children who serve in ministry.
  His background reflects a lifelong dedication to faith and 
leadership. Pastor McKinnie earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology 
from Bethune-Cookman University, a Master of Arts in Christian 
Education from North Florida Baptist Theological Seminary, and a 
Certificate in Expository Preaching from E.K. Bailey Ministries. He 
honorably served in the United States Army as a flight control 
specialist and later spent 23 years in the telecommunications industry 
before entering full-time pastoral ministry.

[[Page E142]]

  He served three years as pastor of Sweet Hope Missionary Baptist 
Church in Live Oak, Florida, eight years at Jerusalem Missionary 
Baptist Church in Jacksonville, and has faithfully led St. Luke 
Missionary Baptist Church in Kissimmee, Florida, for more than 24 
years.
  At St. Luke, Pastor McKinnie strengthened Christian education by 
restructuring the Sunday School and Youth Ministries, establishing a 
weekly Sunday School Forum, New Members Orientation, leadership 
training for Deacons and Deaconesses, and expanding the Women's 
Ministry. He also introduced youth evangelism training to promote 
leadership, social engagement, and spiritual growth among young people. 
Under his leadership, the church expanded its infrastructure and 
acquired seven duplexes to provide housing for low-income families. He 
further expanded community outreach by collaborating with the Council 
on Aging in Kissimmee, Florida, to support social, educational, and 
advocacy initiatives for seniors.
  Pastor McKinnie has served in leadership roles within multiple 
Baptist associations, including 10 years as third vice-moderator of the 
First South Florida Baptist Association, served as the Chaplain for 
Osceola County School Board, is a lifetime member of the NAACP, 
received many prestigious awards, and is the son of Mr. S. H. McKinnie 
and the late Mrs. Chelcie McKinnie of Campbellton, Florida.