Meet the new pastor at Shelby’s Calvary Baptist Church, Johnathan Stansell
Shelby’s Calvary Baptist Church is excited to welcome Johnathan Stansell and his family to their congregation. Pastor Stansell and his wife, Cara, are stepping in for Pastor Schag and his wife, Sonia, who retired from Calvary Baptist Church late last year. Stansell was born in Indiana then his family moved to Tennessee when he was 11 years old. Cara was born in Pennsylvania and then her family moved to New Jersey when she was 11 years old.
The two met at West Coast Baptist College where they both attended. “I’m glad that the Lord led us there because we both met each other. I don’t think we would have ever met each other otherwise,” he said. The couple got married in 2011 and have four super sweet kids: Joy (9 yrs., but turning 10 soon), Noelle (7 yrs.), Luke (4 yrs., turning 5 soon), and
Micah (2 months).
Stansell was led to Calvary Baptist Church in Shelby through a Facebook ad of all things. He said that he was in transition between churches at the time and it just seemed like perfect timing. He spent time getting to know the church and its people, not trying to rush the process. Ultimately, Stansell was voted in as the new pastor at Calvary Baptist Church with Pastor Schag’s blessing. In addition, Cara is planning on gradually taking over some of the administrative duties that Sonia would normally perform.
Both Stansell and his wife are very excited to be living in Shelby. So far, they are enjoying the small community and all it has to offer. He mentioned that his children really love Marvin Memorial Library and are excited to go back. “We like the small town feel but it has all the amenities you would really need just down the road, not far at all,”
Stansell said. The family moved here from Hendersonville, North Carolina.
Pastor Schag mentioned in his interview for the Globe that he would still be teaching classes at Calvary Baptist and helping around the church. “Sometimes a pastor will retire and then just leave and sometimes that can make the church go into a disarray,” Stansell said. He is glad that Pastor Schag is sticking around because he is the only leader Calvary Baptist has ever known. Stansell is very appreciative of the guidance, support, and mentorship Pastor Schag offers. The established congregation has also welcomed the Stansell family with open arms. “It’s just amazing how supportive and kind everybody has been. I know that has a lot to do with how spiritually mature they are but also because of Pastor Schag getting them ready. It’s all just a really good situation,” Stansell said.
Stansell is currently working on remodeling the church’s nursery and will be moving to the offices and studies next. He said that there is nothing wrong with the rooms but they just needed to be updated a little. He loves the historic structure and layout of the church and does not plan to change it beyond modernizing the design. The family is currently staying in an Airbnb in Ashland but they are on the hunt for a home in Shelby.
The Stansells want to bring more children’s activities to Calvary Baptist Church. They will be holding a children’s vacation bible school July 17 through July 20, 2023. They will also be holding a big Easter egg hunt for the kids of Shelby on Easter Sunday. Keep an eye on the Calvary Baptist Facebook page for more information on the church and upcoming events. “We’re looking to build on what they already have and do some outreach,” said Stansell.