Staff & Leaders

I'm so glad you are visiting our website! Let me tell you a little bit about me. I answered the call to full-time ministry later in life. I began in 2014 as a Local Licensed Pastor (LLP), initially serving Fairgrove, and then serving both Fairgrove and Sutton-Sunshine as a full-time appointment. In 2020, I was appointed to serve Frankfort and Elberta on beautiful Lake Michigan. After completing the required Course of Study for LLPs, I went on to achieve the designation of Associate Member of the Michigan Annual Conference in 2022.

Before becoming a pastor, most of my career centered around The Dow Chemical Company for which I worked at various times as an employee, as a consultant, or as a contractor. During those 39 years, my career ranged from a midnight shift pipe-threader, to a secretary, to a government relations manager ("lobbyist"), to an international trade financial consultant. As a consultant, I represented both Dow and Dow AgroSciences before various trade and development agencies for the Middle East, Africa and Eastern Europe. After 19 years in the Washington, DC area, I returned to Michigan. Ultimately, while employed at Delta College Corporate Services, I worked as a System Administrator of Dow Chemical's Learning Management System which provided delivery of training, as well as tracking of training, for Dow's global organization.

When I returned to Michigan, I began attending the Auburn UMC again and began to feel drawn towards involvement in the life of the church, first as a lay person, eventually volunteering to serve as a liturgist, accepting the role of Staff-Parish Relations Committee Chairperson, and volunteering to be an At-Large Representative for the Saginaw Bay District to the Detroit Annual Conference of 2013. During the ordination service at that conference, when the bishop invited forward those who were being called to ministry, I answered that call.

In addition to the religious studies mentioned above, I earned a bachelor's degree from Saginaw Valley State University and a law degree (Juris Doctor) from The George Washington University School of Law.

What do I do to relax? Well, I hope to get back to doing cross-stitch and read for the pure pleasure of reading. I especially like humorous Science Fiction/Fantasy, such as the works of Sir Terry Pratchett. In 2019 I went to Dublin, Ireland to attend the World Science Fiction/Fantasy Convention, and I encourage church members to attend such conventions because we all can learn a lot about how to be inclusive and welcoming to "the other" by actually being "the other" in such groups. Plus they can be a heck of a lot of fun.

John Chapman is an active-duty veteran of the Michigan Army National Guard with over two decades of experience in Human Resources and Administration. Recently, he served as Senior Historian for the Michigan Heroes Museum where he developed stories of Michigan's servicemembers and created displays honoring their sacrifice in addition to assisting with the museum's administration.

Early in his career, John took it upon himself to treat everything as though it were his own. The application of the Golden Rule found in Matthew 7:12 summarizes his personal philosophy. John's awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, seven Army Commendation Medals, and the State of Michigan Distinguished Service Medal. Additionally, he holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Ashford University. John is currently building his retirement home in Thompsonville, and he enjoys the outdoor activities the area offers.