S3E6 - John Randolph

In this month’s episode, Rob and Rachel sit down with Rev. John Randolph. John is the pastor of Genesis UMC and Crescent Hill UMC in Louisville, KY. Rev. John Allen Randolph is a lifelong Louisville native and graduate of DuPont Manual High School and the University of Louisville, where he studied Justice Administration with a minor in Pan-African Studies. Licensed to preach in 2013 and ordained in 2022 at Bates Memorial Baptist Church under Rev. Dr. F. Bruce Williams, John holds a Master of Divinity in Black Church Studies from Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary, where he co-founded the Gayraud S. Wilmore Society of Black Seminarians. In this episode, we explore the experience of pastoring in two unique congregations, highlighting the cultural, historical, and spiritual differences that shape ministry in each context. It reflects on how preaching adapts, or remains rooted, across these spaces, and lifts up the wisdom and practices of the Black church that could deepen congregational life. The discussion also names the challenges of navigating dual contexts, the resilience required to sustain such work, and the ways the United Methodist connectional system can both support and complicate cross-cultural ministry. You can check out John’s Substack here.