Meet Our Pastor: John M. Otis

John M. Otis graduated from East Tennessee State University (Johnson City, TN) in 1973 with a bachelor of science degree. He attended Reformed Theological Seminary in Jackson, MS from 1975–79, receiving a Masters of Divinity degree and a Masters of Christian Education degree.

In 1979, he was ordained as a minister of the gospel by Westminster Presbytery (PCA). Upon graduation from seminary, he went back to his alma mater and became campus pastor at East Tennessee State University under the auspices of Westminster Presbytery (PCA). He served in that capacity for two years until he received a call to be the pastor of Coeburn Presbyterian Church in Coeburn, VA, where he served from 1982-87.

In 1987, John left that pastorate moving his family to Atlanta, Ga to be a part of the ministry of Chalcedon Presbyterian Church. In 1990, he transferred his membership from Westminster Presbytery (PCA) to Covenant Presbytery (RPCUS). John, while being an ordained minister, was elected by the congregation of Chalcedon Presbyterian Church to serve in the capacity of a ruling elder.

In 1995, John was made an evangelist of Covenant Presbytery (RPCUS) to minister in Corpus Christi, Texas. For a period of nine years, he ministered to this body of believers once a month.

In January 2005, John moved full time to Corpus Christi where he was the evangelist/pastor for four and a half years. In September 2009, John received a call to be the evangelist/pastor of the Covenant Reformed Presbyterian mission work of the RPCUS in Burlington, North Carolina. As of May 9, 2011 the mission work became a particularized church with the installation of a ruling elder and John as the pastor.

Throughout his years of ministry, Pastor Otis has engaged in an extensive writing ministry, having authored 11 differing titles, of which most are available at www.triumphantpublications.com.

His two largest works are: Danger in the Camp: An Analysis and Refutation of the Heresies of the Federal Vision (540 pages), and most recently, Unveiling Freemasonry’s Idolatry (670 pages). His smaller work, Distinctives of Biblical Presbyterianism has been sold by the PCA bookstore in Lawrenceville, GA for over 20 years. His most recent publications are: The Kingdom, Church and Eschatology study guide, and Retracing the Beautiful Steps. The latter is based upon the spiritual diary of John's great, great grandfather, William Audiss, a Primitive Methodist Preacher in England and America.

John is married to the former Christine Weagly of Columbia, SC. They have three adult sons, Jason, Brian, and Derrick.