John Sundquist

Dr. John A. Sundquist is a prominent denominational and global Baptist leader and speaker. He served as executive director of the Board of International Ministries of American Baptist Churches USA from 1990-2003. While affirming the local church as the fundamental unit of mission Dr. Sundquist led International Ministries into a new era of relationships with American Baptist congregations. His work included overseeing the some 150 missionaries and relationships with more than 70 international partners. Additionally he has been actively engaged in the work of the Baptist World Alliance, as vice president and in other capacities, and in Baptist cooperation in North America, where he has held responsibilities as president (1984-1988) of the North American Baptist Fellowship.

A well-known preacher and evangelist, Sundquist also has used his gifts for strategic interventions in international justice issues, most notably to work for reconciliation in the longstanding civil conflict of the Naga peoples of Northeast India. Prior to his work at International Ministries, Dr. Sundquist directed the Alive in Mission campaign (1985-88), the largest single effort to date to raise funds for American Baptist mission across the U.S. and around the world. He served American Baptists in Ohio as executive minister (1977-1985), in Michigan as associate executive minister and area minister for Metro Detroit (1972-1977) and in Minnesota as area minister for the Twin Cities and Northern Minnesota (1970-72). A native of Chicago, he began his ministry as a prison chaplain and has held pastorates in Minnesota.

Dr. Sundquist holds a B.A. degree in psychology from Bethel College, an M.Div. degree from Bethel Theological Seminary, a D.Min. degree in Church Organizational Theory from McCormack Theological Seminary and an honorary D.D. degree from Alderson Broaddus College. He and his wife, Carol, are parents of two adult sons.