John Newton has been appointed to serve the Church of God as the Church Multiplication coordinator in the Congregational Ministries Team of Church of God Ministries. Jeannette Flynn, Congregational Team director, noted that, "As church multiplication coordinator, John will work to develop partnerships with state and congregational leaders to implement a comprehensive strategy for healthy church growth."

Newton comes to this important assignment with experience and expertise in pastoring and church planting. He served as associate pastor of Sunset Park Church of God in Wyoming, Michigan, from 1979 to 1981. Following that assignment, from 1981 to 1994, he served as senior pastor in LaPorte, Indiana.

John comes to his new national assignment from ten years of service (1994–2005) as founding pastor of Centerville Christian Fellowship. This church plant was a joint project of Ohio State Ministries, Salem Avenue Church in Clayton, Miamisburg First Church of God, and Breiel Boulevard First Church of God in Middletown, Ohio.

Ministry is central to John's life. In 1975, when John felt the call to ministry and committed himself to that call, his father gave him a Thompson Chain Reference Bible. In it his father wrote, "The call to ministry is a call from God to a life of high adventure and one of great joy. Always count it a blessing and a privilege to be God's servant as you serve Him in your own special way. Success will not depend upon your personal achievement, but rather to the One who has called you." John shared that he considers this new assignment as a call of God to another adventure of joy.

Newton is at Church of God Ministries to be a servant of God and the church.