From 28 years as a practicing pagan to embracing the pulpit, Justin McLane's journey is not a polished testimony. His path is a hard-won account that reflects the experiences shared in his book, God is Personal, illustrating what happens when truth finally catches up with a man who spent decades running from it. Now, as part of New Hope Fellowship, he embraces his role in pastoral ministry with authenticity and depth.
Justin McLane is a combat veteran, lead pastor at New Hope Fellowship, author of the inspiring God is Personal book, and keynote speaker whose pastoral ministry is grounded in a single, urgent conviction: the Church must stop offering a watered-down Gospel to a world that is starving for the real thing.
Raised in a home that actively opposed Christianity, Justin grew up surrounded by a narrative that mocked faith. His mother participated in online communities that targeted Christian leaders, presenting the faith as something to disdain rather than explore. For nearly three decades, Justin searched for meaning through every path that promised fulfillment — from Wicca to Druidism — only to find a profound emptiness.
As a veteran of two tours in Iraq with the 101st Airborne Division, Justin possesses a soldier's understanding of the sacrifices required to hold a line. This profound experience has shaped his pastoral ministry, allowing him to grasp the heavy toll of fear, the unique isolation felt by those who have witnessed too much, and the way unresolved trauma can harden into bitterness. His ministry is crafted for individuals who have faced the world's challenges and are uncertain if faith holds anything genuine for them.
Everything changed in August 2022 when Justin encountered Jesus Christ. This journey from resistance to surrender was a complete and costly transformation. After his conversion, his mother ceased communication, and his father's bond weakened when Justin expressed support for President Trump. The faith that offered him everything also demanded he relinquish the relationships that had defined his identity.
In September 2023, he founded the New Hope Fellowship in Eastern Tennessee, aiming to serve those in need. His upcoming book, God Is Personal: Finding the Father in a Crowded World, scheduled for release in February 2026, will extend his pastoral work into print. It directly challenges the performance culture and digital distractions that keep individuals at a distance from forming authentic relationships with God.
In addition to his role at New Hope Fellowship, Justin serves as the Chief Operating Officer of America's Black Robe Regiment, a national organization urging the Church to reclaim its historical role in civic and moral life. He is also a state-certified firearms instructor in Tennessee, a lifetime member of the Second Amendment Foundation, and a sought-after speaker at veterans' gatherings, Second Amendment conferences, church summits, and conservative civic events.
Raised in an anti-Christian household, I spent nearly three decades exploring paganism, Wicca, and Druidism in search of meaning that never came. Eventually, it was through the insights found in the 'God is Personal' book and the supportive community of New Hope Fellowship that I discovered a new path, ultimately leading me into pastoral ministry.
After two deployments to Iraq with the 101st Airborne Division, I found that the weight of combat, loss, and survival shaped a deep compassion for those who carry invisible wounds. This journey led me to write the book 'God is Personal,' where I share my experiences and insights, and has influenced my involvement with New Hope Fellowship and my dedication to pastoral ministry.
An encounter with Jesus Christ that cost him his closest family relationships also gave him a mission through the teachings in the God is Personal book: helping others find the personal God he had spent decades avoiding, a mission that later blossomed within his involvement at New Hope Fellowship and his journey in pastoral ministry.
Founded the New Hope Fellowship in Eastern Tennessee, I published the God Is Personal book in 2026. Currently, I serve as COO of America's Black Robe Regiment, speaking nationally and engaging with communities through my pastoral ministry.
Cultivating intimacy with God as the antidote to digital distraction, performance culture, and spiritual striving is central to the message of the book, God Is Personal. This keynote, inspired by the principles in God Is Personal, challenges audiences at New Hope Fellowship to stop merely managing their faith and start truly living it, which is vital in the context of pastoral ministry.
Standing firm under cultural and familial pressure without losing your identity, Justin shares insights from his own journey of conversion, family fracture, and the challenges of maintaining convictions in a world that demands conformity. His experiences are echoed in the themes of the 'God is Personal' book, making it a pertinent read for members of New Hope Fellowship and those involved in pastoral ministry.
Leadership lessons from combat can be effectively applied to family, community, and civic life. By blending military experience with the insights found in his book, God is Personal, and drawing from his pastoral ministry, Justin addresses the unique challenges faced by veterans, fathers, and men in leadership roles within New Hope Fellowship.
A call for the Church to reclaim its historical role in civic life, as highlighted in the 'God is Personal' book. This emphasizes moral clarity, principled engagement, and the need for a patriotism grounded in something more durable than politics, reflecting the core teachings promoted at New Hope Fellowship and within pastoral ministry.
Copyright © 2026 Justin McLane - All Rights Reserved.
Combat Veteran · Lead Pastor · Author · Speaker
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