NewSong Community Church new Lead Pastor Doug Shotsky taking over for Tom Hawkins
TECUMSEH — There is a new lead pastor for NewSong Community Church.
Lead Pastor Doug Shotsky is taking over for Tom Hawkins, who founded the non-denominational church in 2005 and will be retiring at the end of this year. Hawkins is one of the longest tenured clergy in Lenawee County with 33 years in ministry. Hawkins is also the supervisor of Raisin Township.
Shotsky and his family are coming from Alto, Wisconsin where they lived for five years while he was an associate pastor for the Alto Reformed Church. Prior to that, he worked as a licensed professional clinical counselor in Ohio from 2012-18.
“I bring years of experience helping and counseling others. I also have had the privilege of being mentored by others in ministry who have done things very well, which translates into our context,” Shotsky said. “God hasn't given everyone a desire and ability to lead, but I believe that He's put this into my heart and spirit for the purpose of serving Him this way in this season.”
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The family is currently residing in the city of Adrian, but just purchased a home in Adrian Township. Shotsky is originally from the Columbus, Ohio area where he lived for 38 years. His wife, Marlaina was born and raised in the Tecumseh/Adrian area and graduated from Madison High School in 2001.
Shotsky and Marlaina have been married for 17 years and have three children: William, 14; Victoria, 12; and Jeremiah, 9. They will be attending Lenawee Christian School this fall.
“As a pastor I believe it's most important to keep our focus on bringing glory to God, keeping anchored to the truth of God's Word, getting to know members of the congregation personally, and to equip the people in the church to do the work of ministry,” Shotsky said. “As a preacher I believe it's so important to communicate in a way that people can understand and apply to their lives.”
Shotsky said he likes that Lenawee County is a community that seems to share an identity and collaborates. He has found that many of the community’s pastors and leaders are approachable and accessible. He and his family also enjoy many of the outdoor activities available.
The congregation at NewSong is a down-to-earth group that sees one another as a family, Shotsky said.
“We love one another very well. When there's a need in the congregation, people are willing to step up to help. We function as a body where we work well together, so it's not overly burdensome to anyone,” Shotsky said. “I would like to partner more with other congregations and community organizations — the local schools in particular — getting bible clubs going and partnering with FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes).
NewSong is involved with its food pantry and is closely tied with Living Water Mission, which digs wells to provide clean water primarily in Kenya. It is partnering with several other local churches to put on the Battle For Me Conference for children entering the third through sixth grades from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 19 at the Lenawee Christian Centre, at 1800 W. U.S. 223 in Adrian.
“We also want to work towards reaching the next generation through our youth ministry. Our goal is to hire a youth leader in the near future,” Shotsky said.
Shotsky’s determination to serve comes from a desire to pay it forward.
“I come from a history of addiction in my late teens and early 20s, and I am so thankful that so many others took the time out of their lives to help me. I'm passionate about doing the same for others,” Shotsky said. “My life has been transformed because of Jesus, and my life's work is to share the good news that Jesus died to pay the price for our sins.”
This article originally appeared on The Daily Telegram: NewSong Community Church has new lead pastor
