Founded in 2001 by Pastor Louie Johnston, Jr., Layman Lessons Ministries is a 501(c)3 that has fed, clothed and assisted in procuring shelter for thousands of homeless and disenfranchised individuals in the Nashville area. As Founder and Director, Louie established training centers and transitional housing programs for disadvantaged men for 12 years, fed and clothed downtown Nashville’s homeless population, operated a mobile shower and laundry facility and partnered with multiple non-profit organizations across the U.S. until his death in 2021.
His widow, Karen Johnston, took over as Executive Director in 2020, and in time moved the base of operations to Louie’s childhood home on Brick Church Pike in Nashville, Tennessee. Today Layman Lessons is proud to partner with Maples Farm Fresh Eggs, where together we operate a mentorship for disadvantaged young men – feeding, clothing and discipling tomorrow’s leaders.
On November 4, 2025 we launched our Stone Soup project. Based on the old folk story, “Stone Soup”, we operate a neighborhood soup distribution to our neighbors every afternoon from a borrowed food truck. Our neighbors have very generously supported this effort, in donated food, money and time, so that others can thrive and NOBODY goes hungry.
His widow, Karen Johnston, took over as Executive Director in 2020, and in time moved the base of operations to Louie’s childhood home on Brick Church Pike in Nashville, Tennessee. Today Layman Lessons is proud to partner with Maples Farm Fresh Eggs, where together we operate a mentorship for disadvantaged young men – feeding, clothing and discipling tomorrow’s leaders.
On November 4, 2025 we launched our Stone Soup project. Based on the old folk story, “Stone Soup”, we operate a neighborhood soup distribution to our neighbors every afternoon from a borrowed food truck. Our neighbors have very generously supported this effort, in donated food, money and time, so that others can thrive and NOBODY goes hungry.