Staff

Biography

Interim DHM President Don Shelton has just completed his term as regional minister and president of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) Pacific Southwest Region. He was able to agree to assume the position of DHM's interim president because of a two-term limit as Regional Minister and President in the Pacific Southwest Region. Shelton has completed those two terms.

Shelton hails from Bakersfield, Calif., where he was also ordained in the Christian ministry. Prior to being named Regional Minister in 1995, he was the senior minister of his home congregation. He also has held ministerial positions in several congregations in California, Oregon, and Colorado. He has demonstrated leadership in the ecumenical ministries in the communities in which he has served. Shelton has launched and helped maintain ministries for people in need, bringing energy to the work of sharing God’s love and building up of the Body of Christ.

Shelton has served as president for Habitat for Humanity-Golden Empire, president of the Greater Bakersfield Council of Churches, and director and counselor of over 36 high school or junior high camps, conferences, and backpack trips.

He has served on the Board of Directors of the California Christian Home, United Church of Christ Insurance Board, Bethany Towers, Chapman University, Disciples Seminary Foundation, Christian Church Foundation and Wilshire Christian Church Foundation. He has also served on the General Board of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).

Shelton received a Bachelor of Theology degree from Northwest Christian College, Masters of Divinity degree from The American Baptist Seminary of the West, Berkeley, Calif., and an honorary doctorate from Northwest Christian College. He also completed graduate studies in education at St. Mary’s College.

Shelton and his wife, Linda, have been married for 42 years and have two adult children, Shonna and Stacy, both graduates of Bethany College. Shelton enjoys golfing and china painting.