GRANT MEMORIAL CHURCH Inviting people to find and follow Jesus. THE BOARD OF DEACONS recommends JOHN SCHAFFNER for our SENIOR PASTOR
MEET JOHN Jeremiah 20:9 But if I say, I will not mention him or speak any more in his name, his word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in; indeed, I cannot. life verse I became a Christian at the age of 18; I was involved in a tragic car accident and it was after this that I was truly saved. I attended Louisiana Tech University and was very involved in the Baptist Student Union; God used this ministry to shape my life and to call me into the ministry. I married Amy in August of 1999 and we moved to Winnipeg in January of 2000 as US/C-2 missionaries with the North American Mission Board (it was -20 when we crossed the border!). We served for over two years in Winnipeg before moving to Calgary, Alberta where I attended the Canadian Southern Baptist Seminary. I love spending time with my family. I believe that discipleship begins at home, so I am intentional about reading the Word and praying with my wife and kids. I try to be involved in my kid s activities; this is a good way to spend time with my family but also a great opportunity to interact with families outside of the church. I enjoy being outdoors; I grew up hunting and fishing and still like to do these things when I can. I also do my best to stay in shape and work out regularly. I have done several extreme obstacle races (the Tough Mudder and the Spartan), a half marathon and a sprint triathlon. Amy and I loved our time serving in Winnipeg and have always thought about going back some day. We endured three winters and survived the mosquitoes in the summer! We enjoy watching movies and searching for the best cheeseburger in town.
PREACHING I receive much joy from preparing messages and presenting the Word of God with passion, conviction, and creativity. One of my favourite quotes about preaching comes from Richard Baxter... I preach as never sure to preach again and as a dying man to dying men. Power Through Prayer by E.M. Bounds has been an influential book in my life, especially in the area of preaching. GIFTS LEADERSHIP/DISCIPLESHIP I feel invigorated by the call to lead the people of God in accomplishing the mission of God; challenging them to grow and mobilizing them to go. One of the primary ways I accomplish this is by investing in leaders strategically and consistently connecting with key leaders, intentionally investing my limited time and energy in a way that maximizes and multiples influence. I am a visionary type of leader, challenging people to fulfill their God-given potential and to pursue God-sized goals. The Master Plan of Evangelism by Robert Coleman has been an influential book and has helped shape my philosophy of ministry. EVANGELISM I am passionate about seeing lives changed by the power of the Gospel. The Great Commission starts at home with those closest to us and goes from there to the ends of the earth. We have baptized 52 college students in the time that I have been at First Lubbock. I have had the privilege of leading teams all over the world to share the gospel Africa, China, Canada, Mexico, El Salvador, Haiti, and Peru. I have also led mission teams in the United States, taking a team of 90 to New Orleans last April, and a team of 85 to south Texas this April. The Shaping of Things to Come by Michael Frost and Alan Hirsch and Conspiracy of Kindness by Steve Sjogren are two books that have influenced my thoughts on evangelism and missions. John & Amy Schaffner
John Schaffner is currently Associate Pastor of University Life at First Baptist Church in Lubbock, Texas. He received his MDiv at the Canadian Southern Baptist Seminary in Cochrane, Alberta; and received a BA in Business Administration from Louisiana Tech University. John is originally from Camden, Arkansas. Find John at: www.facebook.com/schaffinator www.twitter.com/schaffinator www.instagram.com/schaffinator Amy is a stay-at-home mom who spends her days in the chaos and excitement of taking care of her home and raising three great kiddos. She enjoys writing, reading, and drinking entirely too much coffee. Amy met John at Louisiana Tech University where she received a BS in Fitness and Wellness. Originally a Louisiana girl, she is ready to trade her flip-flops for snow boots, and her Starbucks for Tim Hortons. Find Amy at: www.amyschaffner.com www.facebook.com/amy.r.schaffner www.twitter.com/amylynschaffner www.instagram.com/amy_schaffner www.pinterest.com/amyschaffner FAMILY John & Amy Schaffner and their children, Jack, Walt, Sadie
On the weekend of October 29-30, we will host an official candidate visit for the Senior Pastor position at Grant Memorial Church. You will find a schedule of events relating to the visit below. WEEKEND DETAILS Please be in prayer for the candidate and his family, and their travel to Winnipeg. Please also pray for discernment and the Holy Spirit s leading throughout the final steps of this process. Saturday, October 29, 6:30 p.m. Worship, Candidate Interview, Q&A Session All are encouraged to attend. Sunday, October 30, 9:30 a.m. Sunday Sermon The Senior Pastor Candidate will preach at both services on Sunday, October 30. Sunday, October 30, 10:30 a.m. Membership Vote Opens The vote to call a senior pastor will open at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday, October 30. Sunday, October 30, 11:00 a.m. Sunday Sermon The Senior Pastor Candidate will preach at both services on Sunday, October 30. Sunday, October 30, 12:15 p.m. Reception Light refreshments, candidate interview, question and answer time. Sunday, October 30, 2:30 p.m. Membership Vote Closes The vote to call a senior pastor will close at 2:30 on Sunday, October 30. Visit www.grantpastorsearch.ca to view video messages given by John Schaffner. OCTOBER 29-30, 2016
Associate Pastor for University Life First Baptist Church, Lubbock, Texas 2013-Present Lead teams of adult volunteers and student leaders; meet regularly with students for evangelism and discipleship; preach at weekly meetings; plan and lead mission trips; work closely with the other staff in coordinating the ministries of First Baptist Church. Baptist Collegiate Ministry Director at the University of Arkansas Arkansas Baptist State Convention, Fort Smith, Arkansas 2010-2013 Overall leadership of the ministry; met regularly with students; preaching and teaching; managed the property and the budget; represented the ABSC in local churches and associations; supply preaching and interim work; planned mission trips. Adjunct faculty member for Oklahoma Baptist University Taught Youth Ministry in the Church in the fall of 2012 at the local associational office. Assembly Line Worker Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) Plant, Lockheed Martin Camden, Arkansas 2010 Baptist Collegiate Ministry Director at Southeastern Louisiana University Louisiana Baptist Convention, Hammond, Louisiana 2006-2009 Overall leadership of the ministry; preaching and teaching; managed the property and the budget; represented the LBC in local churches and associations; planned mission trips. Lead Pastor & Campus Minister First Baptist Church of Roseland, Roseland, Louisiana 2007-2009 Preaching and teaching. MINISTRY Lead Pastor The Bridge International Church, Calgary, Alberta 2002-2006 Preaching and teaching; cross-cultural ministry experience. Pastored a Filipino church while attending seminary. Youth Minister The River Church, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada 2000-2002 My wife and I served as US/C-2 missionaries. Overall leadership of the student ministry; preaching and teaching; planned mission trips. Youth Minister Emmanuel Baptist Church, Ruston, Louisiana 1998-1999 Overall leadership of the student ministry. Licensed and ordained at this church; Amy and I were married here.
EDUCATION Master of Divinity, 2006 Canadian Southern Baptist Seminary, Cochrane, Alberta Bachelor of Arts, Business Administration, 1998 Louisiana Tech University Ruston, Louisiana
Acts 20:24 However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me, the task of testifying to the gospel of God s grace. GRANT MEMORIAL CHURCH 877 Wilkes Avenue Winnipeg, MB R3P 1B8 204.989.6740 www.grantmemorial.ca 2016 life verse