Rev. Dr. John Binder died peacefully surrounded by family on November 20, 2015 at his winter home in Venice, FL, at the age of 85.
John was born November 10, 1930 in Dafoe, Saskatchewan, Canada, to Henry and Katherine Sauerwein Binder and grew up on a farm in Swan River, MB. He attended CTI, Edmonton, AB, 1949-50; University of Sioux Falls, SD, 1952-54, and graduated from Augustana College, Sioux Falls, SD, with a B.A. in Philosophy in 1956. He graduated from Sioux Falls Seminary (formerly North American Baptist Seminary) in 1959 with a Bachelor of Divinity degree. He studied at Hamburg University and Baptist Seminary, Hamburg, Germany, 1957-58. He was ordained by and became pastor of Emmanuel Baptist, Morris, MB, October 9, 1959-60. He married his seminary sweetheart, Barbara Weisser, in 1960 and moved to Illinois where he accepted the position of Director of Youth Ministries for the North American Baptist (NAB) Conference. In 1967, he accepted the position of Director of Stewardship and Communications. In 1979, Sioux Falls Seminary bestowed upon him an Honorary Doctor of Divinity. Conference delegates elected him Executive Director of the NAB Conference, Oak Brook Terrace, IL, 1979-94.
While serving on the Baptist Joint Committee (BJC) for Religious Liberty from 1979-94 and as Chair from 1989-91, he articulated and embodied the fundamental values of soul freedom, religious liberty and church-state separation that are central to the ministry of the BJC. He served on the Executive Committee of the Baptist World Alliance from 1982-94.
After his retirement in 1994 from the NAB Conference, he served as interim pastor: Ridgewood Baptist, Brookfield, WI, 1994-95; Valley Baptist, Milbank, SD, 1996-97; Century Baptist, Bismarck, ND, 1997-98; Rowandale Baptist, Winnipeg, MB, 1998-99; SonCoast Community (Evangel Baptist), Boca Raton, FL, 1999-2000; interim president, Sioux Falls Seminary, Sioux Falls, SD, 2000-01; interim pastor, Faith Baptist, Minneapolis, MN, 2001-02; and Trinity Baptist, Sioux Falls, SD, 2002-03.
Not only did John spend his adult life serving God in ministry and touching the lives of many across five continents, he also enjoyed working on cars and in carpentry and electrical.
He was a dedicated volunteer at South Sarasota County Habitat for Humanity, doing electrical work on new homes.
John is survived by his wife of 55 years, Barbara, Twin Lakes, WI / Venice, FL; his children: Laurette Hampel, Hanover Park, IL; Douglas (Jacqueline) Binder, Bartlett, IL; and Brian Binder, Oak Brook, IL; grandchildren: Thomas (Crystal) Hampel, Michael Hampel; Michaela, John “Jack” (Corinne fiancée) and Quintin Binder; Sienna, Montanna, and Mason Binder; great grandchild: Blake Hampel; a brother, David Binder; a sister-in-law, Laura (James) Westby; nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his brother, Henry Binder and his parents.