John Burton grew up in Kilgore, Texas, and graduated from Kilgore High School in 1973.  He attended Texas Christian University, graduating with a B.A. in History in 1977.  He attended the Vanderbilt Divinity School, graduating in 1980 with a Masters of Divinity degree.  He was ordained as a minister on June 1, 1980 at First Christian Church of Kilgore.

Shortly after ordination he served as an associate pastor at First Christian Church of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and First Christian Church of Lincoln, Nebraska.  Before coming to First Christian Church of Denton in November of 2008, he served as pastor of the Carlisle Christian Church of Carlisle, Iowa, First Christian Church of Bethany, Missouri, and Irving North Christian Church of Irving, Texas. 

Pastor John is married to Phyllis Burton and has three children, Charity, Aaron, and Joy, and two grandchildren.  He enjoys preaching and writing.  Outside of ministry he loves golf, cross country bicycling, traveling with his family, and creating stained glass windows.