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By Sharon Mager

ABERDEEN, Md. — The Susquehanna Baptist Association (SBA) has called John Gauger as their executive director. Gauger succeeds Dan Sheffield, who retired Dec. 31 after serving the association for over 40 years as the director of missions (DOM). Gauger is serving part-time alongside the leadership team, newly established by the SBA executive board. The executive board includes senior pastors and one representative from every SBA church. The new structure was developed after surveying the member churches and learning from other associations.

Dr. John Gauger served as pastor of the First Baptist Church of Perryville and with the Baptist Convention of Maryland/Delaware. (Photo submitted)

A former BCM/D Partnership Missionary, Gauger said Sheffield was his DOM during the 28 years he pastored at First Baptist Church of Perryville, where he and his wife Linda attend as members. John said he’s honored to have the opportunity to follow in Sheffield’s steps. “He did some amazing things, and I learned a lot from him,” John said. “Dan’s legacy included encouraging missions with trained volunteers, helping churches solve problems behind the scenes, and keeping a sound monthly ministers and wives fellowship that never stopped, even for Covid.”

Sheffield and John shared a strong passion for missions. John said, “The SBA is known for that throughout the state. Dan was the guy who did missions himself and led others in serving on mission.” Sheffield served in Mexico, Senegal, Guinea, Scotland, Kenya, Canada, Israel, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia. Interestingly, it was Sheffield’s wife, Debbie, who took their first mission trip to Rwanda, and then Dan caught the fire. John has also led at least 50 mission trips, including 30 to West Africa and 10 to Mexico, Canada, Latvia, and Turkey. He wants to continue that mission emphasis in the association.

Dan Sheffield is happy with his book of cards and notes from friends and loved ones presented to him at his anniversary celebration. (Photo by Ellen Udovich)

John met with the new leadership team last month that includes a mix of younger and older pastors representing various types of churches, including small and large congregations, plants, and revitalizations. Team members are Sam Brinley, pastor of First Baptist Church of Perryville; Curtis Strange, pastor of  Conowingo Baptist Church; Ben Eller, pastor of Pine Grove Baptist Church, Elkton; Chris Englebert, associate pastor of Pleasant View Baptist Church, Port Deposit (moderator); Daniel Mele, pastor of Towne Baptist Church, Joppa, (vice-moderator), and Angie McGuigan, a member of Perryville Baptist Church, SBA ministry assistant, and board treasurer. At their first meeting, the team prayerfully discussed plans for future and new initiatives to assist churches in planting, revitalization, pastors’ wives ministry, and more.

John is thrilled with the opportunity to serve the SBA churches. He said the association has grown, with two new churches recently joining. And he’s thrilled that younger pastors are becoming active.

McGuigan said John is the perfect choice to succeed Dan. “God laid it all out for him, preparing him for this position.” She cited his years serving as pastor of Perryville, where she is a member, and his position with the BCM/D, which allowed him to network with pastors, DOMs and other leaders and be aware of opportunities and resources. “He is a great networker, and he’s missional. I think we’re on the same page of wanting to revitalize and move forward on the legacy Dan laid.”

John said, ”I’m excited and encouraged,”

Sharon Mager serves as a communications specialist and writer/editor of BCM/D news.