The Rev. Joshua Johnson, pastor at Sacred Heart of Jesus Church and School in Baton Rouge, has a new job this summer.
He's reading aloud and recording the Bible every day as the host for Ascension Press's ", which is geared toward children between the ages of 7 and 12 and their parents. The podcast launches Jan. 1.
The Rev. Joshua Johnson, pastor at Sacred Heart of Jesus Church and School in Baton Rouge.
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"I can't wait for the world to be introduced to the Word of God in a way that's really tangible, in a way that kids can understand and a way that families can engage the Bible together," Johnson said.
Launched in 2021, "The Bible in a Year" podcast with the Rev. Mike Schmitz walks listeners through the entire Bible in 365 episodes, providing commentary, reflection and prayer along the way. It reached 1 billion total downloads in March and is the top religious podcast in the world, according to — a Catholic media organization.
Johnson will guide youngsters and their families through the "Great Adventure Bible for Beginners" from Genesis to Revelation with explanations, insights and encouragement. Johnson's Sacred Heart students are included in the episodes as well.
The Rev. Joshua Johnson, left, with his parents Patricia Istre-Johnson and Aaron Johnson at Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in Baton Rouge.
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Twelve years ago, only one week after he was ordained as a priest, Ascension Press reached out to Johnson to work with him. Since then, he has written five books, hosted a podcast (“Ask Fr. Josh”) and created spiritual formation materials.
Now, he is the voice and face of the new "Bible in a Year," geared toward families.
Ascension Press selected Johnson because of his dedicated teaching of the students at Sacred Heart of Jesus School, which includes kindergarten through middle school.
In addition to being the pastor at Sacred Heart of Jesus Church and School, Johnson is also the propaedeutic house director in the Office of Vocations & Seminarians for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Baton Rouge.
With this role, he leads seminarians in their first year of formation at the Blessed Stanley Rother House of Formation.
Bishop Michael Duca explains some of the traditions surrounding the St. Joseph's Altar before blessing it at St. Joseph's Cathedral in Baton Rouge, La., on Sunday, March 19, 2023.
PHOTO BY MORGAN WERTHER
Due to this commitment, Johnson made a deal with Baton Rouge Bishop Michael Duca that he would take a step back from any activities outside of his former duties.
But Johnson crossed paths with Ascension Press at a conference several months ago, and they told him they had been watching Johnson's interactions with his Sacred Heart students on social media. So they pitched the podcast idea.
It was a big commitment.
On one hand, he was excited about the opportunity to extend his teachings past the walls of Sacred Heart, especially to parents. He also saw it as a chance to reach the neighbors around Sacred Heart, where the Vagabond Missionaries and St. Vincent de Paul team build friendships and deliver food.
The Vagabond missionaries with Sacred Heart of Jesus in Baton Rouge are based in the Underground Hub, a building that is owned by the church. Youth in the community are able to come to the space to connect with the missionaries and each other.
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"If someone's not ready for the church, I think they might be a lot more open to listen to a podcast about the Bible," Johnson said. "It's for Catholics around the world, but for non-Catholics, too."
His resistance to taking on the challenge was his packed schedule, but he was also nervous about being on such a large public platform. After much prayer and consulting with Bishop Duca, Johnson said yes.
He has already recorded 100 episodes.
"I know it's going to be good for the world, because it's the Word of God, and the Word of God is effective," Johnson said. "It's been so good for me and my relationship with Jesus to just read scripture all day long."
A sneak peek episode on is available.