BONNIE SWANSON

By Laurie Lechlitner
InkFreeNews

“Our church’s mission statement is: Growing deeper in relationship with Christ and sharing the hope of the Gospel,” stated Bonnie Swanson. “We have about 1,600 people. Having such a large church, our mission is often a challenge. We started out as a seeker’s church, drawing unchurched people into our fellowship. As these people grow, it’s important that they begin to learn discipleship themselves. My job is to help that happen.” Swanson is the executive pastor of ministry at Warsaw Community Church.

“I grew up in the church. I gave my heart to Jesus Christ at a backyard Bible club when I was in elementary school. I remember praying to Jesus in the hallway of our neighbor’s basement. That was the first step in my walk with the Lord. I began to see that faith is an important part of my life.”

Swanson went to Ball State University and majored in social work. “I was part of Campus Crusade for Christ there. I rededicated my life at that time. Then my faith became more relational. Still, I had no idea the Lord would call me into vocational ministry.”

After she was married and had children, she got her counseling degree from Grace College. Her call to ministry was a series of open doors.

“I began as a counselor at WCC 22 years ago,” she said. “I moved up to director of women’s ministries, then director of adult ministries. Now I am executive pastor of ministry.”

A typical day for Swanson begins with many meetings. “I meet with staff. I have individual meetings with our ministry teams. I also help to develop leadership skills within my team. My goal is to unify our team. We work together to give our large church a small church relational connection.”

In order to help the church grow spiritually, Swanson needs to be growing herself. “I love being stretched, sometimes taken out of my comfort zone. I also enjoy being a part of the curriculum team that helps develop Sunday sermon themes and discussion guides.”

One of the ways WCC achieves small church relationships is through their growth groups. “These are small groups composed of ten to twelve people. Each Sunday these groups get together to discuss and analyze the pastor’s sermon.”

Her life’s verse is Matthew 5:16, “Let your light shine before others, so they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”

“I seek to be salt and light in the world, so that people may be drawn to Christ through me,” Swanson said.

She and her husband Scott have three grown boys and two grandchildren: Wayne, 3 and Elle, 1.

“I love being a grandma. It’s so much more relaxing than it was being a parent. I now get a second chance to do things better than when I was a mom.”

It’s important to Swanson to leave a legacy for her sons, their spouses and her grandchildren. “I want my family to know that we have a whole life ahead of us. I want them to live it to the fullest but consider how they live. I don’t want them to look back with regret, thinking about how they could have done things differently.”

Her advice to fellow Christians: “Stay faithful. God will go before you. He’s prepared you for ministry. He’ll open the doors.”