With heavy hearts and deep love, we share the news of John Sheild’s passing on April 16, 2025. John served in Yellowstone National Park (pictured on the screen above) alongside ACMNP’s founder, Warren Ost, during the year ACMNP was founded in 1951. He spent two more seasons in Yellowstone in 1953 and again in 1954. God used his time serving in the national parks as a catalyst to prepare John for a life in ministry. He graduated from Andover Newton Theological School in 1957 with a Master of Divinity and continued following God’s calling on his life through growing his beautiful family and serving in various pastoral roles.

John was the most devoted and enthusiastic supporter of A Christian Ministry in the National Parks that we have ever had. He would attend training conferences to get to know the young people heading to the parks and would pray over them, spend time with them, and relive his years in Yellowstone alongside them. We received monthly, if not weekly, emails and phone calls of love and support to our national office staff. He was a true legacy of ACMNP, and he will be deeply missed. We are grateful for the ongoing friendship and love of his lovely wife Jean, and his children, who we have also come to know.

There will be a Celebration of Life on Saturday, May 24, 2025 at 11:00am CT at Gunderson East Funeral and Cremation Care (5203 Monona Dr., Madison, WI). The service will be livestreamed for out of town attendees who would like to join. John’s obituary can be found here.

If you would like to make a donation in his name, we will use those funds towards our 75^th anniversary events in 2026 in honor of his 75 years of service. You can do so here by choosing John Sheild Memorial Gift from the drop down menu. Additionally, please feel free to share stories of your time with John. We would love to collect and compile them for others to see as well. If you would like to send John’s wife or children a note, you can send mail to ACMNP – C/O Jean Sheild at 9250 E. Costilla Ave. #203 Greenwood Village, CO 80112 and we will compile and send them along.

“Many, many thanks to you who “paint the wagons, grease the wheels, tighten the bolts, feed the horses and check their shoes” “come along and sing a song” to keep the teams energized and moving forward.  You’re doing such an incredible job and we are so grateful.  There’s plenty of hay in the barn and we’re bailing more!! Sending our continuing happy wishes and our many hugs in gratitude for all you have done and are continuing to do for ACMNP.  You are God’s faithful servants and we are so blessed by your work and witness.  We are so thankful to be part of the ACMNP team!! Sending forever hugs to you.” – John Sheild (said in a voicemail to ACMNP)