RELEASE DATE: Monday, January 18, 2021
Contact Information: Bishop W. Earl Bledsoe – bishopbledsoe@nmconfum.com
The Reverend Mike Schafer, Senior pastor of First UMC, Plainview, Texas will be the next Director of Missions and Administration for the Northwest Texas Conference, effective July 1, 2021. Bishop W. Earl Bledsoe made the appointment based on the request of Rev. Wendell Horn, after he announced his retirement for this coming year.
Rev. Schafer pastored churches in the Northwest Texas Conference for over 30 years starting with his days as a student at McMurry University. His pastoral experiences include small rural churches, a midsized county seat church, and a large city church. He is an active member of the Bishop’s Large Church Pastors’ group and has served as the Teaching pastor for the Northwest Texas Conference. Mike is passionate about helping people see possibilities of a new and different future, and then leading them toward accomplishing that vision. Mike will be invited to sit in on the upcoming appointive cabinet meetings to provide for a smoother transition of leadership.
Mike has been married to his wife Sandy for almost 40 years. The couple served together for eight (8) years on the staff at SonScape Retreats where they provided teaching and pastoral counseling to help people in full-time ministry stay healthy. The Schafers have two sons, Nathan, and Matthew, as well as a daughter-in-law and two grandchildren.
Rev. Schafer follows the leadership of Rev. Wendell Horn after he announced his retirement effective July 1, 2021. Bishop Bledsoe asked Rev. Horn to serve as the Interim Director after the election of Rev. Jimmy Nunn to the Episcopacy. Wendell did such an outstanding job of providing stable and effective leadership, he was appointed to the position and served faithfully from September 2016 until now.
Rev. Horn served many churches in and throughout the conference, many in county seat towns both small and large. He served as the Pampa District Superintendent from June 2002-2005. His work experience as a farmer, insurance salesman and Industrial Arts teacher prepared him to connect with both lay and clergy inside and outside the church. He led the conference in the adoption and implementation of the NWTX Strategic Plan and its strategic initiatives. Many of those initiatives are bearing fruit in the conference today. Bishop Bledsoe hopes that a suitable retirement appreciation can be held once we get past the pandemic and gather as a conference again.
George Price (Cabinet Dean) stated “I am thankful for the faithful service and commitment that Wendell has given to our conference, not only through his tenure as our conference director, but his entire ministry. His love for the churches he pastored, his willingness to serve as a district superintendent and now as conference director is only surpassed by his love for Christ. We, as a conference, owe him a great debt of gratitude.”
George had these words about Mike. “I was excited to learn of Mike’s appointment as our new conference director. Mike brings to our conference a wealth of gifts and knowledge that will be great assets for the future of our conference. Mike’s servant heart has been a blessing to many pastors and churches in and beyond our conference borders. Our conference will benefit greatly from his leadership.”
Randy Stutes (Conference Lay Leader) adds the following:
“Mike has been wonderful for FUMC in Plainview. He will be missed greatly but has strengthened the laity and staff of the church where they can continue to go out and be the church and serve the Plainview community. I am excited for the conference as Mike brings a wealth of knowledge and experience during these uncertain times to lead the clergy and the laity of the NWTX Conference with grace and compassion.”
“I am very excited for Wendell as he goes into retirement and explores new ways to spread the Gospel with the calm and compassionate manner that he used in serving the NWTX Conference both as a local pastor, district superintendent, and as the Director of Missions and Administration. I wish Wendell and Jennifer all the best as they explore this new chapter in their lives.”