“We need a book that offers a fresh look at the gift of tongues as it relates to God’s in-breaking kingdom over against the oppressive forces in our world today who seek to confine our imaginations. Few resources have offered a focused look at how this gift isn’t some mere oddity in Christian faith, but integral to the church’s formation in Christlikeness and mission. I hope to hold Shelby Boese’s book in hand as a guide in these areas of Christian faith.”
—Kurt Willems, pastor Brentview (North American Baptist) Church - Calgary, AB, podcaster, and author of Echoing Hope

Shel Boese; Rev. Dr., BA.Phil., M.Div., D.Min. (just call him Shel or Shelby!)
Lead Pastor

Shel (Shelby) joined us in August 2017. He was called here specifically to lead collaboratively in change and revitalization. Prior to coming to Pilgrim, Shel was engaged with transition work at Bayshore Church [Mennonite Church USA] in Sarasota, FL as their lead pastor. They worked through major changes in location, identity/vision, and a network realignment during his tenure. In that process, he helped facilitate three additional faith communities of different backgrounds, network and connect to find better gathering spaces (Shore Church, now a Bayside Church Sarasota Campus, and Light of the World International Church).

He led the launch of a new site(Parish) for a mega-church in Toronto,ON called The Meeting House [Be In Christ Canada].

Before that he was a Christian & Missionary Alliance district appointed church planter then lead pastor in Sioux Falls, SD starting a new work and leading a successful merger (multi-denominational - Alliance and Mennonite Church USA) between a growing church and one in decline. 

His first years of service were spent as a university/young adult minister in a large Assemblies of God (sister church to the Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada) church, also in South Dakota. 

In his free time he enjoys time with Anne and his kids, training in the gym, reading theology, playing Kubb, He also has a keen interest in the North American [Pietist] Baptist history and it's Anabaptist connections, Eastern Orthodoxy, Wesleyianism, Anabaptism/Neo-Anabaptism and Pentecostalism.

Shel was originally Ordained in the Assemblies of God,  and held/resigned in "good standing" ordination credentials with Mennonite Church USA, Christian & Missionary Alliance, Be In Christ Canada, British Columbia Assoc. of the North American Baptists.

He has a doctorate from United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities with a dissertation on role of the play of the Holy Spirit in worship and how spiritual gifts empower persons towards liberation. His Masters of Divinity was earned at North American Baptist Seminary (NABS) now Kairos University and is a current affiliate faculty member and past adjunct instructor at North American Baptist Seminary . He is open to informal spiritual direction and loves to meet new people. Feel free to text, call, email or connect with him on social media.