About the Author

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What do Alabama, Russia, Merle Haggard, and church have in common? The answer: Johnny Mays, council member from Dos Palos and a Director on the MCAG Governing Board.

Johnny has a fascinating life story. Born in Russelville, Alabama, Johnny first came to California in 1962, prior to heading for Okinawa and then Viet Nam. Four years later, he took up his dream to be a professional singer and musician. Johnny plays guitar, mandolin, and the piano. He had some success, a couple of records, and finished his singing career performing in the road show of famous country singer Merle Haggard. During those travels, he met his wife Judy. Together they have five boys and a girl and seventeen grandchildren. Then his life took a major turn.

“I discovered the Bible and received my call to the ministry,” he explains. Johnny’s ministry covered 39 nations in the past 35 years, with a majority of the time in Russia, England, and Thailand..

Music has continued to be a part of Johnny’s life, and he shares his talent on his KDPT (102.9 FM) radio shows.

“In 2005, while working in London with Russian asylum seekers, I received a call to come back to the USA and eventually to a small home mission church in Dos Palos (Valley Christian Center),” says Johnny.

Since coming to Dos Palos, a new chapter is being written in his life saga. Johnny had never been involved in public service being elected to the city council and appointed as the Mayor pro-Tem. Johnny also appreciates being the Dos Palos representative to the Merced County Association of Government, Governing Board and participating in the One Voice program, which takes issues of regional interest to legislators in Sacramento and Washington, D.C.