Homecoming

Alumni Association President, Rachel (Price, ’09) Woolard, and the 2026 Alumni Association officers invite you to the Tennessee campus for Alumni Homecoming.

Guest Speakers:

• Carl Kuhl, Executive Pastor, Southeast Christian Church, Louisville, KY
• Christopher Lytle, Executive Minister, Area10 Christian Fellowship, Richmond, VA
• Jody (M.A., ’95) Owens, Professor of Bible and Pastoral Ministries, Johnson University, Knoxville, TN

Homecoming begins with the Church Leadership Conference all day on Thursday, February 26, and will feature Richard Clark (Retired V.P. of Advancement for Johnson University) and Todd (’77) Brown (Retired Minister).

NEW features for 2026 include:

• Early Check-in and Picnic and Games by the Pond
• Passport of Participation (Get badges for participating)
• S’mores
• Attend a Class
• Field Trips
• Friday Night Musical Production
• Johnson Family Picnic

SCHEDULE: (Updated 10/29/25)

Thursday, February 26

12:00 pm – Early Arrival Check-In Begins for non-Church Leadership Conference participants

1:00–5:00 p.m. – Picnic by the Pond

5:00–6:30 p.m. – Dinner & Team Trivia

7:00–8:00 p.m. – Homecoming Session #1: Restoring Hope (Loss & Lament w/ Christopher Lytle)

8:30–10:00 p.m. – S’mores Buffet & Fire-pit Conversations

Friday, February 27

7:00–7:45am – Joggers/Walkers/Birders Meetup

8:00–9:00 a.m. – Breakfast Seminar: TJ Owen & Rachel Woolard – Restoration

9:30–10:20 a.m. – Chapel: Restoring Relationships (Speaker: Topher Lytle)

10:45–11:45 a.m. – State of the University with Dr. Overdorf

12:00–1:30 p.m. – Lunch

1:00–2:15 p.m. – Optional Activities 1

2:30–3:45 p.m. – Optional Activities 2

4:00–5:00 p.m. – Class Banner Voting & Preacher Grand Prix

5:00–6:30 p.m. – Dinner and Alumni Reunion/Senior Banquet (ALL reunion classes)

7:00–8:00 p.m. – Restoring Vision (Remember Your Calling w/ Carl Kuhl)

8:00–8:30 – Distinguished Service Awards

8:30–10:00 p.m. – MORE: The Emma Johnson Story

Saturday, February 28

7:00–7:45am – Joggers/Walkers Meetup

8:00–9:00 a.m. – Breakfast

9:00–10:30 a.m. – Alumni Association Business Meeting PDR#3

11:00–11:50 a.m. – Homecoming Sessions #3: Restoring Faith (Spiritual Disciplines w/ Jody Owens)

12:00–2:00 p.m. – Family Picnic – BBQ

* Preschool/Nursery childcare available.

Need housing? Here is a list of area hotels. Some of these may offer a special rate for guests of Johnson University. Be sure to ask if you call to reserve a room. Also, there are a few Air B&B locations somewhat close to campus. Unfortunately, no on-campus guest housing is available.

If you haven’t done so already, please take a few moments to register your profile on the Alumni Community and  update your information. Additionally, I encourage you to join the Alumni Association for 2026. Your dues subsidize the cost of Homecoming and other alumni gatherings, support scholarships, campus projects, and more.