He was previously the men’s program manager

In 2020, Luke Johnson joined the RMA Central Coast team as the Men’s Program Manager, a role that aligns perfectly with both his calling and his deep roots in the community.

Born and raised on the Central Coast, Luke carries a genuine passion for serving the very community that shaped him. After years in the insurance industry, he felt a strong pull toward ministry, eventually stepping into roles as a youth and family pastor, church planter, and leader within various nonprofit organizations.

“I feel called to RMA. I don’t think I’ve ever been able to say that about any organization I’ve been at before. I’ve never felt so fulfilled serving than at this Mission,” he said.

What’s something you’ve learned while working at RMA?

I’ve learned how invaluable mentorship is and how important it is to mirror what we’re teaching our residents. If I’m having a rough day, if I’m struggling, I have to go and seek my wise counsel, my mentor. We’re all in that same boat. Just because I was program manager and now director, doesn’t mean that I’m any different than the men and women who are struggling with addiction. What we impart to them as a healthy practice, we as well need to be practicing.

As the new director, do you have a specific goal for yourself?

I want to continue to serve our community in as whole and a fruitful fashion as we can. There are still areas that we can help in. There’s a big need here for Missions for women with children, that would be number one. Also, to grow our relationships with churches.

What keeps you going?

Self-care is important; I’m big on exercise. My relationship with God, my family, and my children all keep me going. And I’m a sucker for seeing God move in real time. I get to see God move here everyday and that’s hard to beat.

What would you like more people to know about the Mission?

I want people to know that the only way forward, and the only way to have breakthroughs in your life, is to have an intimate relationship with Jesus. The Mission aims to be a good steward of that.

We’re serious about what we do, but we’re also serious about how we do it. I pray people know our main goal, our literal focus, is seeing lives transformed.

Outside the Mission, Luke loves spending time with his family. He and his wife of 17 years, Ciara, have three children, Giana, Malakai and Micah. Luke is an avid reader and writer, and enjoys exercising and watching youth sports.