Pastors
Rev. Dr. Michael J. Hoyt - Pastor
Mike was born and raised in Lithonia, Georgia -- a suburb of Atlanta. He graduated from Presbyterian College in Clinton, South Carolina in 1991, received his Master of Divinity degree in 1995 from Union Theological Seminary in Richmond, Virginia, and received his Doctor of Ministry degree in 2003 from Columbia Theological Seminary in Atlanta.
Prior to joining us in 2001, he served for six years as the pastor of Loch Willow Presbyterian Church in Churchville, Virginia.
Mike and his wife Mary Ellen met in college and were married in 1991 by Mary Ellen's father, a Presbyterian minister. They have two children: Langley (age 11) and James (age 9).
Jonathan Wagner - Student Minister
Jonathan Wagner is completing his middle year at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, where he is working towards a Master of Divinity. His wife, Elizabeth, is also a student. She is enrolled in the University of Pittsburgh's doctorate of physical therapy program. Both Jonathan and Elizabeth are from Starkville, MS, where they grew up and attended Mississippi State University.
Jonathan has done both part-time and full-time ministry for a number of years. Before coming to Pittsburgh for school, he served First Presbyterian Church in Starkville for six years. While still attending Mississippi State, he helped create and lead a contemporary service and worked as a youth leader. After graduating from Mississippi State, he served for three years as the Director of Student Ministries, doing youth and college ministries. Since being in Pittsburgh, Jonathan has served at Shadyside Presbyterian Church as a youth leader and at Pleasant Hills Community Presbyterian Church as a contemporary worship leader.
Other than doing ministry, Jonathan's other interests include: playing guitar, singing, enjoying God's creation (hiking, backpacking, kayaking, riding bikes), reading, watching movies, finding good restaurants, and spending time with family and friends.
Rev. Clifton Johnson - Parish Associate
Clifton was born in Pittsburgh. He graduated from LaSalle University in 1992 and received his Masters of Divinity degree from Princeton Theological Seminary in 1997.
Clifton's first ministerial call was as a hospital chaplain on the west coast. After he returned to Pittsburgh, Dr. Hoyt nominated him as Parish Associate at GPC.
Clifton assists with pastoral visitation, teaches Sunday School classes, and is a resource in a variety of other ministerial and pastoral care areas.
In addition to his duties at GPC, Clifton is a full-time counselor for the Family Service programs of Pressley Ridge.