John E. Wasem - Emmanuel School of Religion

Education
• B.A., Milligan College
• M.Div., Emmanuel School of Religion

Ministry Experience
Served congregations in Indiana.

John E. Wasem
Director of the Emmanuel Institutes and
Faculty of Christian Ministries

John E. Wasem began his service at Emmanuel School of Religion in 2005 after 31 years of experience in five local churches in Tennessee and Indiana. The product of rich mentoring at the feet of ministry leaders like Robert Fife, Joseph Dampier, and Russell Blowers, John possesses a vibrant love for the Church, strong confidence in its ongoing impact, and deep passion for developing her emerging leaders. His ministerial journey has included an array of opportunities to learn multi-faceted ministry from perspectives ranging from a mega-church to a “solo minister” church … an 1824 Appalachian church with a stunning heritage to a 1994 Chicagoland church that he founded and served until his move to Emmanuel.

John was baptized, married, and ordained in the Marlboro Christian Church of Alliance, Ohio during the ministry of Eric Crites. The encouragement of his “home” minister has been a catalyst for John’s love for supporting and equipping men and women preparing for or newly deployed into ministry. After studying oceanography at the University of Michigan, John came to Milligan College to complete his undergraduate ministerial education. His academic commitment continued with his completion of the Master of Divinity degree at Emmanuel. The focus of his thesis was outreach and evangelism in the local church. He is currently completing his dissertation related to a doctorate in Organizational Leadership to augment his practical experience.

Following his Emmanuel studies, he served for eight years with the East 91^st Street Christian Church of Indianapolis. He was the primary developer of that congregation’s noted church planting ministry that recently exceeded its goal of planting 20 churches in 20 years. In 1994, John planted the 8^th daughter church for East 91^st Street in St. John, Indiana in cooperation with the Chicago District Evangelizing Association. Suncrest Christian Church has grown from 40 people to well over 1,000 in attendance led by an eldership, over 60 ministry team leaders, and a staff of 10. Its beautiful, first facility sits on a strategic 40-acre site. The strong church planting and mission commitment of Suncrest is in part measured by more than one million dollars having been invested globally in church planting as well as a crescendo of short term mission endeavors.

John has served the Restoration Movement as a key leader in the church planting arena for nearly 25 years. He has taught church planting and related courses since 1987 as an adjunct professor at Cincinnati Christian University, Lincoln Christian College and Seminary, and Emmanuel. He has taught leadership courses online for Dallas Christian College since 2004. He serves as the Director of Planter Care for Stadia East – a church multiplication movement based in California. John has coached nearly 50 new church planters in 20 states since 1997. His special focus has been on church planting in New England where he serves Restoration House Ministries of Manchester, NH as a church planting consultant and coach. He has attained national certification as a ministry coach.

In his present capacity, John provides leadership to the Emmanuel Institutes designed to make significant contributions through continuing education, and research and development projects in the areas of world mission, church planting, and excellence in ministry. This veteran church leader is committed to helping Emmanuel make ever-increasing contributions to the strength of the Lord’s Church. In addition, he serves as a professor in the Christian Ministries area and is pioneering the development of online ministry courses.

John is married and has three children and two granddaughters. His wife, Leslie, is founder and president of Wellspring Innovations. Their daughter, Ashley, is married and residing in Portland, OR. She is a nationally acclaimed graphic designer. Their eldest son, John, is a songwriter/performer in Chicago and engaged to be married in 2009. Tim is a junior in the Humanities major at Milligan College. John enjoys writing, family travel, golf, and historical reading. He resides in Gray, TN and attends the Boones Creek Christian Church.

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