Rev. Barry DeShetler

Barry DeShetler is Interim Senior/Lead pastor of Epworth United Methodist Church for 6 months to a year. He was asked by Bishop Palmer to come out of retirement to help in the transitional time between pastors because of his skill set and experience as an interim pastor. He was also recruited because he served as the Senior pastor of Epworth from 1991 to 2001. It was a time of significant growth and building for the church as well as a time of great personal and professional growth for himself. It was a season where deep and lifelong friendships were formed. 

Barry is a native Toledoan, born and raised on the East Side. He went to Waite High School and the University of Toledo, graduating magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Education degree in 1973. He went on to become the pastor of Bradford and Gettysburg churches while attending United Theological seminary in Dayton, where he received his MDiv. In 1976. After serving those churches for 3 years he was appointed the youth pastor at Forest Chapel UMC in Forest Park Ohio, a suburb of Cincinnati, where he served for 5 years. Barry was then appointed to Church of the Redeemer in Columbus Ohio and served there until 1991. In July of 1991 he became the Senior pastor of Epworth and remained until 2001, when he was assigned to Christ United Methodist Church in Kettering Ohio. Barry and Linda remained there 18 years until his retirement in 2021. After retiring, he served two 6-month interim positions in the Dayton area. Barry and Linda bought a home in Cumberland and moved to Maine in 2022.

Barry has extensive experience in church building projects and redevelopment. During his career he was fortunate enough to oversee 5 major building projects, plant 2 successful satellite churches and begin 8 new additional worship services.

Barry has been married to his High School sweetheart, Linda, for 51 years. She is a clinical psychologist for the Veteran’s Administration in Maine. Their son Ben is a dentist in Marrietta Georgia and is married to Jennifer. They have two children - Scott and Audrey. Barry and Linda’s daughter Laura is COO of a major company in Maine and is married to Ben Metivier. They have 3 children – Ella, Evan, and Lauren.

When he is not working Barry enjoys remodeling their house in Cumberland Maine, playing basketball and golf – and watching college football. But his greatest pleasures are times spent with family.