Founded as a Mission Church in the Pinelands
Shawnee Baptist Church sits on Oakshade Road in Shamong, a rural township in Burlington County in the Pinelands of South Jersey. The congregation was founded in 1976 as the first United States church plant of the Association of Baptists for World Evangelism. Its first pastor, Robert Dyer, came to Shamong after returning from the mission field in Papua New Guinea, and missions has been a defining priority of the church from the beginning.
Today the church supports 20 active and 10 retired missionaries serving in 16 countries spread across six continents. Six couples and one single have been sent from within the congregation to full-time missionary service. Mission teams have traveled to Peru, Chad, Papua New Guinea, Chile, Germany, Canada, Italy, Argentina, Ghana, Jamaica, and Brazil, assisting missionaries through construction projects, evangelism, canvassing, and other special needs. Pastors have also visited missionaries in Italy, Portugal, England, and Germany.
The church identifies itself as a Regular Baptist Church, striving to be "conservative, yet current," a balance that retains an unchanging truth in changing times. Four distinct areas shape life at Shawnee: Worship, Teaching, Prayer, and Fellowship, drawn from Acts 2:42. The stated mission, drawn from Matthew 28:18-20 and Colossians 1:28, is to glorify God by making disciples and presenting every person complete in Christ.
A Family on Oakshade Road
Shawnee describes itself as a family of Christians committed to Jesus and to each other. The pastoral staff is led by Head Pastor Aaron Hart, who joined the church in 2014 and stepped into the senior pastor role in 2018. Hart, his wife Änna, and their four children live in the Pinelands of South Jersey. Associate Pastor Kevin Rue joined the church with his wife Jackie and family in 2014 and serves alongside Hart, bringing a music degree and a seminary education from Knox Theological Seminary. Jim Winkelspecht, known to the students simply as "Wink," serves as Associate Pastor of Student Ministries with his wife Christine and their four sons. Keith Styers leads the worship ministry as Director of Worship.
The church welcomes visitors of all kinds, whether familiar with church, exploring life's biggest questions, thinking about church for the first time, or returning after some time away. The simple message to newcomers is, "We are glad you are here."
Sunday Morning at 9
Sunday worship begins at 9:00 AM in the sanctuary. The service is intergenerational, with the whole body gathering first to worship together in song and prayer. Children from 4 years old through 4th grade are then dismissed mid-service to attend WIRED, the children's church program designed for their age level. During WIRED, kids sing, participate in activities, and learn about God under the care of a dedicated team of adult volunteers assisted by teenagers from the youth group.
Visitors arriving at the church are greeted by the First Impressions Team, who direct them to a Welcome Center staffed to answer questions and point newcomers in the right direction. There is no dress code; a guest might see someone in a suit and tie sitting next to someone in blue jeans. The emphasis is on being real with one another while sincerely pursuing God.
After the service, the church transitions to Shawnee Studies at 10:30 AM. These Sunday school classes are offered for every age from infants through high school, and adults sit alongside children, students, and seniors in cross-generational study. The goal of Shawnee Studies is to broaden and deepen the congregation's understanding of God, of the world, and of the believer's role as an image-bearer carrying the gospel.
WIRED, Shawnee Studies, Awana, and the Nursery
Children's ministry at Shawnee is layered across the week. WIRED runs during the 9 AM worship service for 4-year-olds through 4th graders. Shawnee Studies is a separate hour of interactive biblical teaching for Pre-K through 6th grade that follows the worship service at 10:30 AM, with gym time and a snack included for kids transitioning from WIRED into their age-appropriate small groups.
Awana meets on Sunday evenings from 4:45 to 6:45 PM, September through early May. The program is divided by age into Cubbies (Pre-K), Sparks (K-2nd), and T&T (3rd-6th). Children learn Bible verses and stories through songs, games, crafts, and interactive lessons. The Awana theme verse is 2 Timothy 2:15: "Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."
The Nursery, staffed by background-checked volunteers, is open for infants through 3-year-olds during both the 9 AM worship service and the 10:30 AM Shawnee Studies hour.
Youth on Wednesday Nights
The youth group at Shawnee meets on Wednesdays from 6:45 to 8:45 PM for junior high (grades 7 to 8) and senior high (grades 9 to 12) students. A typical Wednesday begins with game time, including nine-square, pool noodle soccer, giant volleyball, and other activities, then moves into a short time of worship and a Bible lesson led by Pastor Wink, and ends with snacks and hangout time. Larger activities throughout the year include pool parties, game nights, snow camp, and a spring trip to Ocean City. The student ministry maintains its own Instagram presence at @sbcyg.
Adults: Bible Studies and Fellowship
A range of adult ministries give men and women at Shawnee ways to grow in faith and friendship. A Women's Bible Study meets on Tuesday mornings at 9:30 AM during the school year. Agape, a women's fellowship, meets monthly on Tuesday nights at 6:30 PM. A Men's Bible Study, led by Eric Peterson, gathers every Friday morning at 6:30 AM. A Virtual Women's Bible Study, led by Peggy Rheam, meets on Monday nights at 7:30 PM via Zoom. Refit Revolution, a women's workout and devotional time, meets on Thursday nights at 7:00 PM during the school year. Newcomers are welcome even mid-study.
A Food Pantry Open on Thursdays
Shawnee's food pantry is open Thursdays from 10:00 AM to 12:30 PM year-round, rain or shine. Volunteers distribute both perishable and non-perishable items along with produce, bread, and shelf-stable goods. The pantry's hope and desire is to offer food for the body and soul for those in the community. Regular items needed include peanut butter, jelly, pancake mix and syrup, canned beans, canned ravioli, canned soup, stew or chili, canned tuna, rice, boxed pasta, boxed macaroni and cheese, marinara sauce, ramen noodles, instant potatoes, cereal, flavored oatmeal, canned vegetables, canned fruit in 100% juice, applesauce, raisins, nuts, shelf-stable milk, 100% juice, shampoo, conditioner, and bars of soap or body wash. Items that are already expired cannot be accepted.
Sermons and Giving
Sermons from the most recent series, along with previous series through Genesis, Psalms, and 1 Peter, are available on the church's YouTube channel. Online giving is available through Pushpay on the web, and mobile giving is available by texting "Shawneebaptist" to (833) 600-3331. An opportunity to give is also offered in person during Sunday worship services. At its heart, Shawnee Baptist is a church shaped by its identity as a family of believers, committed to teaching God's Word, sending disciples near and far, and welcoming whoever walks through the door.