John McKinnis has served as an elder at Central since 2000, having previously served here as a deacon. He grew up in Union City in West Tennessee, received an undergraduate degree (MTSU) and then a law degree (Vanderbilt) in Middle Tennessee, and then moved to East Tennessee where he met his wife-to-be, Brenda (who grew up in Greeneville, Tennessee). Brenda and John have been married since 1983. They have two children, Katie McKinnis Jenkins (wife of Tim Jenkins) and Conor McKinnis, and three grandchildren: Ella Jenkins, Ethan Jenkins and Eamon Jenkins. He continues to practice oil and gas law and general real estate law. “On our very first visit to Central, soon after moving to Johnson City, it felt like home and we knew right away this is where we wanted to worship God. We are so thankful for this congregation and feel blessed to be a part of such a warm and spiritually rich body.”
