Who makes up the Shepherding Team?
The Shepherding Team is comprised of non-rotating members from our Pastoral Staff as well as rotating lay-leaders who currently serve as teachers and leaders at OBC.
Role of the Shepherding Team
The local church is governed by Christ (Matthew 16:18) through the Holy Scriptures. Under the authority of Jesus Christ, the purpose of the office of shepherd is to lovingly lead, nurture, and equip the entire membership to do the work of the ministry (Ephesians 4:12ff). The Shepherding Team of Ogletown Baptist Church (both vocational and non-vocational) will oversee the overall direction and teaching of the church, since they are the ones who will one day answer for it (1 Thessalonians 5:12; Hebrews 13:7; 13:17; Acts 20:28). Though these men will shepherd in differing degrees (1 Timothy 5:17), they are all accountable to God for the care of His flock.
Tasks of the Shepherding Team
Shepherds are…
GUIDES for our congregation—leading and overseeing God’s people, by example and
word, giving direction and counsel to the church body.TEACHERS in our congregation—nourishing God’s people by lovingly speaking the
good news of Jesus Christ and the truths of God’s Word.CAREGIVERS to our congregation—taking initiative to help God’s people grow and
mature in their walk with GodPROTECTORS of our congregation—guarding God’s people against the destruction
brought by false teaching and false teachers.
Qualification of a Shepherding Team Member
The New Testament lays out the requirements necessary for any man who desires to do the work of shepherd (1 Timothy 3:1-13 & Titus 1:5-9). In summary of the qualifications in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1, every shepherd must represent Christ and His gospel well in the following arenas:
His Relationship to the Public: above reproach, a good reputation with those outside the church
His Relationship to Self: temperate, self-controlled, prudent, sensible, respectable, loving what is good, not a new convert
His Relationship to Home: the husband of one wife, hospitable, manages his own household well, keeping his children under control with all dignity, having children who believe, not accused of dissipation or rebellion
His Relationship to Scripture: able to teach, holding fast the faithful word
His Relationship to Temptation: not addicted to wine, not pugnacious, gentle, not self-willed, peaceable, not quick-tempered, free from the love of money, not fond of sordid gain
His Relationship to God: just, devout
MEET THE TEAM
Sean Barefoot
Sean grew up in central Virginia and came to faith his sophomore year at Christopher Newport University through an on-campus Bible study. His faith deepened through living in an intentional Christian community and through the investment of a Godly mentor. He met his wife, Emily, while they were neighbors in college.
Sean and Emily had a desire to go into ministry together post-college through Young Life. After being placed in Maryland they ran outreach ministries for high school students and students with special needs. Sean and Emily became members at Ogletown in 2015 after the Lord called them to Delaware to continue in ministry with Young Life. Since being at OBC Sean has served on the Deacon Team, with Kids Connection, and is currently serving on the Personnel Committee. Sean and Emily attend the Verse-by-Verse Sunday Bible Study.
Sean works in Information Technology at the University of Delaware. He and Emily have four kids and they live in Newark. He enjoys sports, coffee, running and being with friends.
JEFF GESHAY
Growing up in a Christian home in Racine, Wisconsin, Jeff came to know Christ through an evangelist preaching at his home church. After meeting his wife, Katy, at Baptist Bible College of Pennsylvania, they were married in June of 1973. Jeff and Katy have 5 grown children and 15 grandchildren.
Jeff recalls that through the years of ministry leading worship and directing choirs, one of his main responsibilities has regularly been teaching a Sunday School Bible Study. He has continued this endeavor here at Ogletown working through a book of the Bible, verse by verse, which he greatly enjoys. Jeff also likes to see others succeed in their own area of service or ministry. He writes, “I have always loved to help others be a blessing. I love to help pull together individuals to do together in groups or teams what they could not do separately.”
Jeff and Katy live in Newark (DE) and have been part of OBC since 2001. Since 1996, Jeff retired from OPEX, a technology corporation in 2023 where he worked as a Business Alliance Manager. Jeff also enjoys golf, listening to music, and spending time with family.
MATT HALL
Matt was raised in Delaware in a christian home and acknowledged his need of a Savior when he was 8 years old through a conversation with his father. Matt’s involvement in Fellowship of Christian Athletes in college helped grow his faith and it was then that he began teaching God’s word to others. After college, Matt served on staff with FCA for several years before returning to Newark in 2006.
Matt began attending Ogletown after he and his wife, Katie, were married in 2007 and he became a member shortly after that. Matt has served in numerous capacities at Ogletown including teaching various Sunday Bible Studies (Greenroom, Next Steps, OnTrack), volunteering in Kids Connection, the Deacon Leadership Team and he is currently a member of the Senior Pastor Search Committee. He received his Masters in Theologcal Studies at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in 2020.
Matt has been the Director of Business Development at CardioKinetics for the last 16 years. He and Katie have three energetic children. Matt coaches middle school lacrosse, he enjoys exercise and playing sports, and he loves spending time with his family.
BRUCE HOOGETSRAAT
Bruce grew up on his family’s dairy farm near Sioux Falls, South Dakota. As a child, while attending Bible school at his church, he put his faith in Christ. Bruce recalls clearly, “I realized I was a sinner and asked Christ to forgive me. I knelt to pray with the pastor by the kitchen table in the parsonage.”
During college years, Bruce met Debbi at her church which he had been attending. As of this year, they have been married for 47 years.
For 36 years, Bruce worked at DuPont, first as a Mechanical Engineer and later in Management. He has been retired for the last 12 years. Throughout this time, Bruce has also served at Ogletown. He’s been a deacon, Bible Study teacher, children’s church volunteer, and part of various committees. Bruce presently serving on a Guest Services team.
Bruce and Debbi have two daughters (Amy and Christi), and six grandchildren. Both Amy and Christi and their husbands are actively engaged in serving the Lord. Bruce and Debbi love being involved in the lives of their grandchildren, and they want to leave “a strong legacy of following the Lord.” Bruce also enjoys walks with Debbi, visiting children and grandchildren, and working outside in his yard.
EDDIE JOHNSTON
Raised in a Christian home, Eddie professed faith in Christ at age 14. He recalls that “through childhood, God patiently pursued me through the faithful labors of many people. My conversion was not a dramatic reversal, but a progression of understanding, acceptance, and then trust in the gospel.” While in college at Georgia Tech, Eddie met Robin at a singles Sunday School class in their church. They were married in 1976.
Over the years, Eddie and Robin have been involved in ministries together, such as teaching a toddler Sunday School class, leading the children’s Bible drill, and serving at the Book Table. Eddie has previously served as a deacon and a shepherd, chaired several Finance and Pastoral Search committees, and taught Sunday School classes. Eddie is currently a member of the Senior Pastor Search Committee.
Eddie and Robin live in Newark (DE), have three children and seven grandchildren. He retired from DuPont after over 35 years, and then retired again from Chemours, he enjoys reading, hiking, and spending time with his family.
Chris rainey
Chris grew up in a Christian family near Chicago, Illinois. While attending a gospel-preaching church his entire life, Chris first remembers hearing and believing the gospel as an eight-year old boy, through conversations with his father.
Chris has been a paramedic with New Castle County EMS for over 15 years. It was on one of his shifts that he happened to meet Kaci his wife. The Rainey’s live in Newark, have been married for over 13 years, and have six children. Chris serves as the Chair of Family Hope Coalition.
Chris has actively served at Ogletown since becoming a member in 2001. Immediately, Chris began to volunteer as an usher, then later was asked to fill in as a group leader in our youth group. He currently teaches in the Next Steps Adult Sunday Bible Study. Chris also directs our Missions Committee, co-leads a community group, and leads the foster care ministry with his wife.
A diligent student of Scripture, Chris finished his seminary degree at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in 2020. In his spare time, he is also a photographer and loves gardening.
WAYNE ROBINSON
Wayne grew up in the Mid Coast region of Maine and was raised in a Christian family. He came to faith in Christ as a junior in high school after hearing a pastor teach convincingly about his need of a Savior.
Wayne attended college in Tennessee where he met his wife, Stephanie. After moving to Delaware, the Lord led Wayne and his family to Ogletown in 2011. Since then, Wayne has served as a deacon, taught with his wife in Kid’s Connection, chaired an Associate Pastor search committee and chaired the church’s Personnel Committee. He and his wife also currently lead a multi-generational Community Group and he is also a member of the Senior Pastor Search Committee.
Wayne works in finance at Cigna and operates a small tax consulting and bookkeeping business. He and Stephanie have three children and live in New Castle. He enjoys reading, watching his kids perform and play sports, following Boston sports teams, and hanging out with friends and family.
CHARLIE ROLAND
Charlie Roland grew up in the Delaware Valley. He was raised in a Christian family but came to know Christ as a young man. Charlie remembers that “I thought I knew the Lord but was actively rebelling against God’s law. Then, through Baptist Student Ministry, God used godly men, Bible Studies, the Passion conference, and other things to show me my sin and lead me to trust in Christ.”
Charlie has worked at Verizon for the past five years, currently serving as a Senior Business Account Manager. He and his wife Allie met at Baptist Student Ministry (now Christian Challenge)and have been married for four years.
Charlie has also actively served the Lord at Ogletown. He has gone on several mission trips, led many Bible studies, and has assisted with the preaching and teaching at churches and at Christian Challenge. He and Allie have led GreenRoom for the past three years, and currently serve as co-leaders of a Community Group. In 2018, Charlie graduated with a Master of Divinity degree from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.
Charlie and Allie live in Hockessin, Delaware. In November 2021 celebrated the birth of their daughter, Nora. Charlie also enjoys spending time with friends, playing basketball, and trying new restaurants with Allie.
Henry speed
Henry was born in Chester, Pennsylvania and moved to New Castle, Delaware with his family in 1975–Delaware is home for Henry. During the summer of 6th grade through an invitation to attend VBS (Vacation Bible School) at the local Baptist church Henry was introduced to the gospel. It would not be until 9th grade during a small youth rally that the presentation of the gospel moved Henry to the point of recognizing his need for Christ as his Savior, and asked for repentance and for Jesus to be the Lord of his life.
Henry has been a member of Ogletown since 2013. Since then he has served on the Deacon Team, Security Team, and on a Guest Services team. Henry is a member of the Next Steps Sunday Bible Study, and he graduated with a Masters in Theological Studies from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in 2020.
Henry currently lives with is dog, Little Jerry, in Bear. After serving 31 years with the Delaware State Police, Henry is now retired. Henry enjoys sporting events as well as swimming, biking, and weight training for exercise.
NATHAN WALTERS
Nathan was raised in Maryland and moved to Delaware in middle school. He was raised in the church, but college was transformational for his faith and he was baptized at Ogletown during college.
After graduating from the University of Delaware in 2014, Nathan worked in the engineering field for four years while pursuing a call to ministry. He served as the Pastoral Assistant at Ogletown in 2018 before taking the role as Director of Baptist Student Ministry (now Christian Challenge) in 2019. Nathan and his wife Jamie were married in 2014 and have stayed connected to college ministry since then, with Jamie serving as the College Ministry Coordinator at Ogletown before having their first child in 2019.
Nathan and Jamie live in Newark with their two children, Nate (4) and Nolan (2). Nathan enjoys camping and hiking, biking his two sons around campus, and hopefully watching the Orioles finally win the World Series.
THE FOLLOWING STAFF serve as non-rotating members
of the Shepherding Team.
DREW ALLENSPACH
Evan collier
BRAnDON COOK
GET IN TOUCH
It is our hope that if you have concerns, a need for prayer, or you would like for us to contact you, that you would complete the form below to contact the Shepherding Team