Daniel T. Sheaffer, B.A., M.A., D.Min., D.Lit., D.D.
Dr. Daniel Thomas Sheaffer, 80, was joyously greeted in Heaven Thursday, September 2, 2010 at 1:05 p.m. by many thousands of souls who came to know Jesus Christ through his amazing 64-year ministry around the world.
He was born November 29, 1929 in OKC, OK to Rev. Gerald and Jeanette Sheaffer. Dr. Sheaffer graduated from Capitol Hill High School, where he played basketball on the 1947 state runner-up team and was high-point man in three games that year. He was also the top player on the tennis team and won the state singles championship. He held degrees from Oklahoma City Southwestern College, Oklahoma City University, East Central State University, Tulsa University, Luther Rice Seminary, and Southwestern Assemblies of God University.
Dr. Sheaffer's preaching ministry began at the age of 17. When he didn't have a church to preach in, he would preach on the street corners or use school facilities to hold revivals. He married his true love and life-long partner, Bonnie Rose Benson, in 1950, and together they pursued a very successful nationwide evangelistic ministry. Later they settled into their true calling and pastored several churches in Oklahoma. This is when he acquired the name by which he will forever be known, "Pastor Sheaffer."
Dan and Bonnie Sheaffer became pastors of First Assembly of God in OKC in 1969 with a congregation of 42 members. By 1972, a 1,250 seat auditorium had been built and outgrown, and then in 1979, Dr. Sheaffer led his congregation in building a new church complex that he named Crossroads Cathedral. This structure contained more than 200,000 square feet with a sanctuary seating 6,000 people. This edifice was built debt-free. Thousands became members as the church grew rapidly in attendance. For 37 years, people accepted Jesus Christ as Savior in nearly every service.
Pastor Sheaffer and Bonnie hosted the popular Trinity Broadcasting Network program, "The Answer," for 17 years and were frequent hosts and guests of TBN's "Praise the Lord" program. He was the author of two books of Bible questions and answers and a church growth book entitled, Together We Grow.
In 1964, Pastor Sheaffer and Bonnie began their extraordinary leadership in missionary work overseas. To help fund the costs of missionary trips, Dan began a very successful homebuilding and general contracting business to supplement his pastoral income. The Sheaffers founded and built churches in Liberia, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, Paraguay, Colombia, Jamaica, Chile, Malawi, Burundi and others. After trying retirement for a short time in 2007, Dr. Sheaffer said, "I was called to preach!" and, along with Bonnie, founded Harvest Assembly of God Church. Above all, Pastor Sheaffer loved his Harvest A/G church family! Space does not permit a recounting of all the unparalleled accomplishments for the Kingdom of God this man achieved during his 80 years. A man of remarkable character and knowledge, Dan was a loving husband, devoted father and grandfather, whose legacy will live on in the hearts he touched. Although we will deeply miss his presence here on earth, we rejoice in knowing he now receives his eternal blessing in Heaven.
Dan was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Eugene; and sister, Mary Ellen Felton. He leaves behind his loving wife of 60 years, Bonnie Sheaffer, of the home; daughter, Terri and husband, Gary King; son, Mike and wife, Starla; sister, Carolyn and husband, Dr. Harold Brooks; brother, Charles and wife, Phyllis; 5 Grandchildren; 6 Great-Grandchildren; and countless other loving family and friends.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to either of the two organizations he founded to fund his worldwide missionary vision into perpetuity: Harvest Ministries, or Discipling the Nations, c/o Harvest A/G, PO Box 892345, OKC, OK 73189.
Viewing will be 4-8 p. m. on Tuesday, September 7, 2010, at Vondel Smith Mortuary at South Lakes, with the family greeting friends from 5-8.
Services to celebrate his life will be 10 AM, Wednesday, September 8, 2010, at Harvest Assembly of God Church, 4019 S. Pennsylvania. Interment will follow at Resthaven.
Please visit www.vondelsmithmortuary.com to leave condolences for the family
[Editor's Note: I am indebted to Mary Ann Holland of Oklahoma City for alerting me to the death and obituary for Daniel T. Sheaffer. It is because of readers like Mary Ann who take the time to report the news that I can bring you this news about Pastor Daniel T. Sheaffer. Did you know that Daniel was named after the late Bishop Daniel T. Muse, the first bishop of the west in the Pentecostal Holiness Church? Thanks to Marcus Light who reported that bit of news in his comment on my announcement of the death of Pastor Shaeffer. While I was president of Southwestern College, now Southwestern Christian University, I hired Dan T. Muse, Jr., and Scott Muse, Jr. to work for me in the college. Both men were gifted in business and money management. My life was enriched by knowing and working with these two outstanding men. And of course, I was privileged to meet Pastor Daniel T. Sheaffer when I was living in Oklahoma City.]
Posted on
Tue, September 7, 2010
by Hugh Morgan