Who is Pastor Jeffrey Johnson’s son? Eastern Star Church’s new lead pastor defends father’s arrest

Pastor Jeffrey Johnson Sr., the longtime leader of Eastern Star Church in Indianapolis, was arrested on Saturday, October 11 on a domestic battery charge. The news was confirmed not through official statements, but by his son, Pastor Jeffrey Johnson Jr., during Sunday’s church service.

Johnson Jr., who now serves as the lead pastor of Eastern Star Church, spoke emotionally to the congregation, defending his father and explaining that the incident stemmed from a serious family mental health crisis.

Who Is Pastor Jeffrey Johnson Jr.?

Pastor Jeffrey Johnson Jr., also known as Pastor Jay, is the current spiritual leader of Eastern Star Church.

• He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Mass Communications (Paine College)

• Earned a Master of Divinity in Hermeneutics (Morehouse School of Religion, ITC)

• Former Senior Pastor at Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church in Indianapolis

• Advisory board member at IC3 Issachar Church Conference

• Author of “A Story to Tell: A 40-Day Focus on Your Walk With God”

On the personal front, Pastor Jay is married to Janelle Rae, an events and tourism professional with over 15 years of experience, currently working as Destination Experience Manager at Visit Indy. They share three sons — Dylan Kyle, Jeffrey Allen III, and Jeremiah August Raymond.

What Happened on the Night of the Arrest?

Pastor Johnson Jr. explained that the situation began with one of his brothers experiencing intense emotional and mental distress.
He shared: “He became verbally aggressive toward my mother. As a loving husband and father would, my dad stepped in to protect her and calm the situation.”

According to Pastor Jay, it was his father who called the police seeking help — but instead, the officers arrested Jeffrey Johnson Sr.
He emphasized: “At no time did my father harm my mother nor my brother. He tried to protect both.”

A Call for Compassion and Prayer

Addressing a packed congregation, Pastor Jay asked members to pray for their family and to respect their privacy during this difficult time. He highlighted that this was a deeply personal matter, rooted in the kind of mental health battles many families face silently.

The church responded to his message with standing applause, supporting both the father and the son.