​Our pastor, Rev. Terry G. Shaffer grew up in Linesville, PA, near Lake Pymatuning where he still owns a campsite. 

Pastor Terry studied Sociology at Edinboro University of PA, where he received his BA degree. He then went on to Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, DC, where he earned his Masters of Divinity. While still in college at the age of 19, Pastor Terry began serving as a Pastor. Through his career he has served in many types of areas including: rural, suburban, urban and small town churches. These churches represent both the prior Evangelical United Brethren and Methodist Episcopal traditions. He served longest in Pittsburgh at Albright Community Church, a multi-cultural, multi-racial church. This church had a very active campus ministry as well as a community Bible School and computer lab for local students.Pastor Terry also served as a United Methodist Conference Mission Ambassador to Africa in 1993. He has traveled to 5 continents and his primary focus is justice for all people. He currently serves on the District and Conference Boards of Ordained Ministry, responsible for preparing persons for the ministry in the life of the church, which he finds vastly rewarding. As the District Elder, Pastor Terry leads a clergy book club. In early 2012, God called Terry’s wife Beverly home after a beautiful life of caring, giving, and loving. Terry has two step-children and two step-grandchildren. 

Pastor Terry’s passion is for the least, the last, and the lost. His first priority upon coming to Sharon 1st was to visit every shut-in member and he will eventually visit everyone in their homes.