John Sundquist
Dr. John A. Sundquist (August 2, 1936 – February 21, 2021) was the executive director of the Board of International Ministries of American Baptist Churches USA from 1990 to 2003. A prominent Baptist leader, he grew up in Chicago, began as a prison chaplain, and later served as a pastor in Minnesota. He earned a BA in psychology from Bethel College, an M.Div. from Bethel Theological Seminary, a D.Min. in Church Organizational Theory from McCormack Theological Seminary, and an honorary D.D. from Alderson Broaddus College. He and his wife, Carol, had two grown sons.
Before leading the International Ministries, Sundquist directed the Alive in Mission campaign (1985–88), the largest fundraising effort for American Baptist missions. His other roles included executive minister in Ohio (1977–1985), associate executive minister and area minister for Metro Detroit in Michigan (1972–1977), and area minister for the Twin Cities and Northern Minnesota in Minnesota (1970–1972).
In November 1998, he spoke at the 125th anniversary of Christianity in Nagaland, northeast India, where about 120,000 people attended. He urged Nagas to end the culture of retribution, and when he asked for leaders willing to forgive in Christ’s name, nine leaders stood.
This page was last edited on 3 February 2026, at 12:20 (CET).