In a cultural moment where many believers feel pressure to soften or hide their faith, Pastor Travis Johnson is delivering a bold message: Now is not the time to shrink back.
During a recent appearance on The Eric Metaxas Show, Johnson spoke candidly about media attention, national influence and why he believes Christians must refuse to apologize for standing on biblical truth.
Johnson described a recent surge of national visibility after a major media profile. “I had a New York Times interview,” he said. “They came and did a weekend with us, profiled us on that, and I actually had a really great article come out there.”
What happened next surprised even him. “Then President Trump retweeted it. So that’s a good day.”
For Johnson, the moment wasn’t about personal recognition—it was about what he believes signals a broader cultural shift. He described recent opportunities to participate in national conversations about faith and religious liberty, expressing gratitude for what he sees as a growing openness to Christian voices in public life.
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But the pastor made it clear that cultural visibility means nothing if believers lose their backbone spiritually. Johnson warned that much of modern church culture has drifted toward comfort instead of transformation.
“We build crowds, but we’re not building disciples,” Johnson said. “We speak about the things that are palatable and the things that aren’t palatable, which is actually what changes people. You have to be confronted with your sin.”
That conviction has come with a cost. Johnson recounted a moment when he prayed publicly for protection over children during a city council invocation. The fallout was immediate and severe—doxing, threats and public pressure to apologize.
Instead, he doubled down.
“They’re asking for an apology. I have a statement to make,” Johnson told his church. “Here’s my statement. I am not sorry. I do not apologize. We don’t bow. We stand.”
Rather than damaging the church, Johnson said the moment sparked spiritual hunger and revival-level growth. Packed services followed, along with record baptisms. For him, it reinforced a lesson he believes many pastors are rediscovering: People are hungry for truth, not spiritual compromise.
Johnson repeatedly returned to one theme—boldness creates momentum. He believes this principle extends beyond individual believers into families, churches and even generations. Johnson pointed to what he sees as a growing spiritual interest among young people, especially men, as evidence that cultural pressure is not killing faith but refining it.
At the heart of Johnson’s message is a warning against what he calls “distance Christianity”—a faith that stays socially safe but spiritually powerless. Drawing on the story of Peter following Jesus at a distance before the crucifixion, Johnson warned modern believers against observing faith rather than living it.
“We’re following Jesus at a distance,” he said.
As cultural tensions around biblical values continue to rise, Johnson believes the church faces a defining choice: retreat into comfort or step into conviction. Now the question is: How close are you willing to follow Jesus? What would you give up for him?
Abby Trivett is a writer and editor for Charisma Media and has a passion for sharing the gospel through the written word. She holds two degrees from Regent University, a B.A. in Communication with a concentration in Journalism and a Master of Arts in Journalism. She is the author of the upcoming book, The Power of Suddenly: Discover How God Can Change Everything in a Moment. For interviews and media inquiries, please contact [email protected].
