John Batson
Topeka,KS
Summary
Dynamic leader with a robust background in management, education, and curriculum development, specializing in overseeing diverse teams, including a field staff of thirty-five missionaries and volunteers. Proven track record in designing and executing innovative multicultural programs tailored for local churches and faith-based organizations, significantly enhancing community engagement and outreach. Expertise in managing substantial budgets across nonprofit and corporate sectors, ensuring financial sustainability and program effectiveness. Recognized for exceptional team-building skills and a commitment to empowering individuals, fostering a collaborative and inclusive environment that drives collective success.
Overview
47
47
47 Years of secular, professional, and non profit sector.
Work History
Senior Pastor
Shawnee Heights Baptist Church
Topeka, KS
09.2009 - Current
- Senior Pastor of thriving urban church.
- Maintain and direct staff and leadership team.
- Responsible for weekly messages.
- Marriage and Family counseling.
- Established recovery ministry for men and women dealing with substance abuse.
- Working in conjunction with Mirror, Inc to facilitate the spiritual well being of men and women in substance abuse recovery.
- Direct children’s community group.
Chaplain
Disaster Relief & Chaplains Ministry
Omaha, NE
01.2017 - 03.2023
- Company Overview: Kansas Nebraska Convention of Southern Baptists
Senior Estimator
Davis Fence Company
Topeka, KS
07.2019 - 09.2021
- Measure and estimate residential and commercial fencing accounts.
- Set appointments and assist customers determining fencing needs.
- Buyer for fencing from statewide vendors
- Commissioned compensation
Marriage and Family Counseling Service
Batson & Associates Inc
Topeka, KS
10.2006 - 10.2009
- Marriage & Family Counseling
- Crises Counseling
- Testing and evaluation
- Group and individual disciplines
Field Recruiting
Awana Clubs International
Streamwood, IL
07.2006 - 01.2008
- Responsible for the overall strategies and execution of the search process to source, recruit, and attract missionary candidates.
- Develop and direct a U.S. Field Recruiting Team.
- Partner with the Human Resource Department to funnel the recruits into the application process.
- Direct ongoing communication and contact with Bible Colleges and other recruiting sources.
- Partner with Marketing and Communications to ensure that a consistent branding message is communicated externally.
- Coach and manage missionary deputees.
Director of Field Training and Regional Ministries
Awana Clubs International
Streamwood, IL
06.2000 - 01.2007
- Responsible for development of services and materials through focus groups and idea development; by consultation with churches and Awana Missionaries; and through writing and editing materials.
- Shared responsibility of training within the format of Rorheim Institute Seminars, training seminars, CE Conferences, and church workshops.
- Developed materials for the continuing education of both missionaries and their volunteer staff.
- Supervised thirty five missionaries.
- Provided counsel to the missionary family.
- Assisted in hosting and training of missionaries during Missionary Candidate School.
- Responsible for budgets, setting and maintaining regional and national goals, conducted annual performance appraisals, assisted Human Resources in disciplinary action taken on the field.
Adjunct Professor
Highland Community College
Hoyt, KS
09.1998 - 05.2004
- Psychology
- Ethics
- Sociology
- Culture & Context
- Speech
- Built relationships with students, mentoring on personal, professional and academic goals while providing coaching on effective study habits.
- Graded quizzes, tests, homework, and projects to provide students with timely academic progress information and feedback.
- Strengthened critical thinking skills in students through the incorporation of problem-based learning activities.
- Boosted class participation rates by fostering a positive and collaborative learning environment.
- Enhanced student comprehension by employing diverse teaching methods and incorporating multimedia resources.
- Encouraged class discussions by building discussions into lessons, actively soliciting input, asking open-ended questions and using techniques to track student participation.
- Empowered students to take ownership of their education by facilitating opportunities for independent research projects within specific areas of interest.
- Evaluated and revised lesson plans and course content to achieve student-centered learning.
- Developed curriculum standards, lesson plans and syllabi.
- Used exams, quizzes and assignments to assess student comprehension.
- Managed student performance using automated reporting system, leveraging data to identify student learning needs and create action plans to overcome learning deficiencies.
- Contributed to curriculum development efforts, ensuring content was up-to-date and relevant to industry trends.
- Optimized assessment processes by designing rubrics that clearly communicated expectations for various assignments.
- Increased student retention by providing individualized support and tailored feedback on assignments.
- Cultivated strong relationships with colleagues, participating in interdisciplinary initiatives aimed at enhancing the academic experience for students.
- Improved overall course quality through the implementation of regular evaluations, incorporating student feedback into future improvements.
Awana Missionary
Awana Clubs International
Streamwood, IL
02.1989 - 06.2000
- Assisted local churches in starting new Awana clubs and programs.
- Trained local church leadership for effective children’s ministry. Developed relationships with local churches to assess specific ministry and training needs.
- Built and managed a team of Specialist/Coordinators and volunteers who served to conduct local events and trainings that promoted the growth of Awana.
- Strengthened existing clubs and programs, through, club evaluations, club speaking, problem solving. Consults with pastors, commanders, and leaders.
- Raised support for ministry needs.
- Interacted with regional team members to evaluate and improve the ministry of the region.
Area Finance Manager
Agri-Credit Acceptance Corporation
Des Moines, IA
09.1984 - 01.1989
- Managed retail and wholesale agricultural equipment dealership portfolio of $26 million.
- Adjusted retail accounts, acquired and disposed of equipment, arbitrated deficient accounts.
- Arbitrated legal disputes within the IL & MN court system
- Corporate agent in bad debt negotiation and settlement.
- Developed and launched national leasing program for irrigation and lumber equipment.
Assistant Vice President Consumer Lending
Peoples Bank of Bloomington
Bloomington, IL
10.1978 - 09.1984
- Managed collection department.
- Supervised five office staff and three loan officers.
- Maintained $1.5 automobile and mobile home floor plan line.
- Commercial business development responsibilities.
- Managed a $500k budget.
- Implemented computer program to manage collection and bad debt departments.
- Had a $50k commercial lending limit.
- Managed commercial, real estate, and consumer portfolio.
Education
PhD - Christian Psychology
08.2010
D.Min - Doctor of Ministry - Christian Counseling - Focus On Children/families
08.1994
Master of Arts - Christian Education
08.1992
BRE - Christian Education
08.1991
AA - Christian Education
05.1978
Automotive Engineering, Weapons Systems Engineering
01.1973
Engineering – did not graduate
Skills
- Bid preparation expertise
- Construction
- Cost estimation expertise
- Attention to detail and accuracy
Affiliations
- American Association of Christian Counselors
- American Counseling Association
- Society for Christian Counselors
Timeline
Senior Estimator - Davis Fence Company
07.2019 - 09.2021
Chaplain - Disaster Relief & Chaplains Ministry
01.2017 - 03.2023
Senior Pastor - Shawnee Heights Baptist Church
09.2009 - Current
Marriage and Family Counseling Service - Batson & Associates Inc
10.2006 - 10.2009
Field Recruiting - Awana Clubs International
07.2006 - 01.2008
Director of Field Training and Regional Ministries - Awana Clubs International
06.2000 - 01.2007
Adjunct Professor - Highland Community College
09.1998 - 05.2004
Awana Missionary - Awana Clubs International
02.1989 - 06.2000
Area Finance Manager - Agri-Credit Acceptance Corporation
09.1984 - 01.1989
Assistant Vice President Consumer Lending - Peoples Bank of Bloomington
10.1978 - 09.1984
Louisiana Baptist University - PhD, Christian Psychology
Covington Theological Seminary - BRE, Christian Education
Grand Rapids School of the Bible & Music - AA, Christian Education
United States Military Academy - , Automotive Engineering, Weapons Systems Engineering
Covington Theological Seminary - D.Min - Doctor of Ministry, Christian Counseling - Focus On Children/families
Covington Theological Seminary - Master of Arts, Christian Education
CUST
References available upon request
Publications
- Thirty Days of Prayer – Contributing Author
- Vision Seminar
- Rorheim Training Institute
- Forty Days of Prayer – Contributing Author
- Shepherding Parents Seminar
- Established Biblical Counseling Modalities - PhD Thesis Shreveport, LA: Louisiana Baptist University, 2009
CUST
References available upon request