The Church at Severn Run says goodbye to Drew Shofner and welcomes Jared Burwell
By Sharon Mager
SEVERN, Md. — The Church at Severn Run marked the close of a remarkable chapter on March 22 as Pastor Drew Shoftner preached his final sermon after more than 27 years of faithful ministry, and the church welcomed their new pastor, Jared Burwell.
Shoftner told the packed worship center, “I’ve preached approximately 2,400 times here at The Church at Severn Run—it’s amazing. And I thank you for the grace of coming back and listening.” Chuckling, he added, “You preach once and think, Wait, they came back? That speaks to your character and your humility.”
The Church at Severn Run prays for Drew Shofner and his family. (Photo by Sharon Mager)
“Of those 2,400 times, this is my last—by God’s design. And if we’re going to love well and live Jesus, we’ve got to know what time it is. Scripture tells us there is a time for everything—a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance. When we miss the moment, we miss what God is doing.”
For nearly three decades, Shoftner has been a steady shepherd to the congregation. Along with his wife, Marcia, and their family, he has helped shape a church culture centered on “loving well, living Jesus, and believing big.”
Shoftner expressed his love for the congregation as he pointed them to the future.
“This church is a special church. It is remarkable, and its future is going to be glorious. And I’m so excited for what God is about to do.
“Being here has been the greatest honor of my life. And I thank you for the opportunity and your faithful obedience and fellowship. I’m looking forward to what God is going to do as we forget what is behind and strain toward what is ahead—and all of the glory God will gain through your faith and trust in His work here.”
Preparing to close, Shoftner said, “And the truth is, now is the time to hand off leadership to the next great pastor of The Church at Severn Run, Pastor Jared Burwell.”
Shoftner brought a baton and literally handed it to Burwell and said, “A handoff works like this—the one in the back reaches forward, and then he lets go. The one in front reaches back before he runs forward. That’s how a handoff works.
“And when you know who you are in Christ, you know it’s not about you. You’re free to do what God calls you to do, trusting that God writes better stories and has a far better plan than anything we could create on our own.”
As Shoftner steps into retirement, the church also looks ahead. Following a season of prayer and discernment, The Church at Severn Run has called Jared Burwell to lead the congregation into the future.
Burwell has served in ministry focused on church planting and missions, equipping believers to live on mission in their everyday lives. He and his wife, Corrie, and their family step into this new season with a shared sense of calling, eager to build on the strong foundation already in place.
Burwell told the congregation, “God has built an incredible legacy of faith in this church. We will honor that legacy, but we won’t just rest on the past. We will move forward with hope into the future, knowing our God goes before us. So let’s step forward with faith. Love well. Live Jesus. Believe big.”
He preached his first sermon as pastor of the church on March 29.
Shoftner, quoting Ephesians 3:20–21, said, “Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.”
Feature photo: Confetti falls as the church says goodbye to Drew Shofner (center left) and welcomes Jared Burwell (center right holding baton). (Photo by Sharon Mager)
The BCM/D exists to equip and resource churches to make disciples. Visit our website to learn more.
Sharon Mager serves as BCM/D content and stories editor.