October 1, 2026
TOPEKA, Kan. – Church Forward, the Kansas-Nebraska Convention of Southern Baptists, has announced that John Shields will become the organization’s next executive director-treasurer, effective Nov. 1. Shields currently serves as Church Forward’s director of leadership health.
Shields brings deep experience to the role. He has served on the Church Forward staff full time for five years, following three years as a part-time church health consultant. Before joining the staff, he spent 25 years as lead pastor of Parkview Baptist Church in Lexington, Neb.
During his tenure at Church Forward, Shields helped launch the annual Associational Leader Retreat, introduced the Funnel Fusion Coaching Process to help churches sharpen their approach to intentional disciple-making, and initiated a partnership with Double Honor that provides free retreats for ministry couples.
Shields holds a Doctor of Ministry from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (2008), a Master of Theology from Dallas Theological Seminary (1995), a Bachelor of Music from Florida Southern College (1989), and an Associate of Arts from Manatee Community College (1987).
Shields said he is looking forward to helping churches across the two states regain missional momentum and deepen their sense of shared purpose.
“We long to see every church move forward in their sacred mission,” Shields said. “Too many of our churches are plateaued or in decline, and we want to do our part to leverage the strength of our convention to help churches desiring to regain missional momentum do so.”
“Specifically, we will prioritize strengthening the missional vitality of each church and deepening the culture of discipleship across the convention. We hope to leverage the learning of those doing this well to help those who aren’t yet. There are still too many in our two states in need of hearing about Jesus. We must do better in making disciples who can be sent.”
“Jesus is building His church, and Church Forward exists to serve Him by helping every congregation step fully into that calling,” Shields said. “A key goal is continuing to strengthen our functional partnerships with association leaders and other national partners. Churches are better served when we function as an aligned team rather than competing entities.”
Church Forward’s vision is to see 500 missionally connected churches across Nebraska and Kansas, united in heart and purpose: healthy, Spirit-led, and joyfully cooperative for the gospel, together supporting multiplying disciples and new works in every community.
Reflecting on the appointment, Shields pointed to the legacy of faithful leadership he is now stepping into.
“Church Forward has a long history of prioritizing the Great Commission through trusted relationships,” he said. “I have been blessed to have been a part of that as a pastor and humbled to embrace this new calling to serve the churches of Nebraska and Kansas. We all stand in a line of other faithful servants trusting God to advance His mission, as we obediently follow Him. My hope is to do just that during this next season.”
David Manner, who is retiring from the executive-director role after five years, said he “can’t imagine a better choice” to do the job than Shields.
“John is already a trusted leader among churches across Kansas and Nebraska,” Manner said. “He has championed leadership and church health with integrity, humility, and a genuine pastoral heart. I’m excited to see how God will use John in this new season of ministry as he collaborates with convention staff and ministry partners to help every Kansas and Nebraska church to discover their next step forward.
“I’m grateful for John’s leadership and can’t wait to see what God does through him and Church Forward in the days ahead.”
Church Forward convention president David Crowther was part of the team that selected Shields.
“Throughout the search process, the Executive Committee discovered John Shields to be a man of impeccable character, faithful service, and genuine spiritual depth,” Crowther said. “His love for Christ, his family, and our convention was evident throughout our conversations with him and those who know him best.
“We believe God, in His providence, brought John before us for such a time as this, and we are excited to see how the Lord will use him to lead our convention and strengthen churches across Kansas and Nebraska.”
Shields was born in Iola, Kan., and grew up in Sarasota, Fla. He has been married to Julie for 38 years, and the couple has four adult children and seven grandchildren.
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