Wheaton pastor moving on, not out

Now that he's retired, ironically, Gary Dausey looks forward to have more time to get some work done.

Rev. Dausey retired Sunday after serving Wheaton Bible Church for 43 years, the last 22 as a staff member.

Since joining the church in 1963, Dausey served as an elder for six years, four as chairman of the elder board. In 1987 he joined the staff as an associate pastor responsible for the church's Christian Education ministry. For the last 13 years, however, Dausey's primary responsibility has been relocating the church to its new home on North Avenue after the church outgrew its location on Main Street in downtown Wheaton.

"I cannot imagine going through the relocation process without him," said Board of Elders Chairman Jim Goetz. "Gary's tireless work with all of the stakeholders was exceptional. He found a way to balance the concerns of many while holding up our primary mission to love God, grow together and reach the world."

A Chicago native, Dausey graduated from Lane Tech High School and began his college years at Moody Bible Institute, later transferring to Taylor University where he met his wife, Barbara. He graduated in 1962 with a degree in Biblical Literature.

While at Taylor, he pastored at Noble Christian Church in Noble, Ind. He completed his masters in Christian education from Wheaton College in 1965.

Even in retirement, which Dausey joked doesn't exist in ministry, he will continue to keep an office at the church, host the traditional Sunday morning service and team-teach the Homebuilders Adult Class which caters to adults age 60 and older.

"I don't know how to retire because I've never done it before," he said. "But I imagine it will be best of both worlds because I will trade the administrative duties here for more time with my wife. But this will also give me more time to prepare for my classes and be more productive in that role."

During his tenure at the 80-year-old, non-denominational church, Dausey said he has enjoyed being able to touch the lives of the individuals he has met, either through helping them save their marriage, defeat their personal demons, or just helping them become acquainted with the church and its teachings.

"You know ministry is great because there are no boundaries to the help you can give," he said. "God doesn't present you with a '20 things your ministry can do brochure.'"

He's also seen the church grow and develop in ways he'd never imagined, including the creation of contemporary services, aimed at the younger members with live music, and the church's transformation from a "Sunday thing to a seven day a week operation."

While his involvement will continue to be with the traditional service, Dausey said he was excited a few years back to see the church create the contemporary services to reach a larger audience.

"You'd never guess it but, when the contemporary service discussion began, it was our oldest elder who was pounding the table the loudest to get it done," he said. "Transition of any kind is never easy but it was gratifying to see us evolving to reach more people."

The church recognized Dausey during Sunday morning services and an afternoon reception was planned for 4 p.m. for the membership to thank Dausey personally for his time and dedication.

Senior Pastor Rob Bugh was first in line.

"We praise God for the many ways he has used Gary to care for and nurture the people and ministries of Wheaton Bible Church." he said.