ABOUT

John Sebby is a Fundraiser, Artist, Pastor, Writer, and Lyricist with a strong innovative streak that he combines with humor.

His writing includes fiction, nonfiction, children’s books, faith-based works, and lyrics. His songs reflect his varied tastes in music with lyrics for Country, Christian, Blues, Rock, pop, and crossover songs.

John is known for his watercolor paintings; original painted Christmas cards and thank-you cards. Also recognized for his sense of humor, engaging speaking ability, encouraging leadership skills, as well as his dedication to providing services to those in need.

A successful career in nonprofit leadership for homeless shelters, soup kitchens, emergency shelters for children, residential youth treatment programs, social services as well as land trusts, hospitals, and health care. John currently serves as Senior Pastor at Wildwood Christian Church and Director of Development at Move the Mountain Ministries. 

His greatest treasure is his faith in God, followed by his love for his wife of forty-five years, Kathy. Their life is full of joy, thanks to their three children, ten grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. Plus, a close family, church family, and amazing friends.

Born under a wandering star, John has lived in more places than many people have even visited. From one coast to another and ten states in between, John's journey has been one full of adventure and love.

The last few years John has rekindled his creative writing trait that has laid dormant since the 1980’s when he founded the Evelyn Woodfield Slow Writers School, a church drama team who scripted weekly drama and comedy sketches for Sunday outreach services, where he served as head writer. John also wrote as part of his profession as a successful fundraiser and grant-writer for nonprofits, where his grants have been awarded millions in funding. He has composed countless major gifts and development proposals, plus marketing and public relations pieces for local, national, and international markets. 

John retired from The Salvation Army in October 2019 as Director of Development. Previously, John served as Vice President of Leadership Giving for the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews, Vice President of the National Pain Foundation where he also served as interim CEO until the merger with APF, the Executive Director of Development and Public Relations for The Salvation Army's Cascade Division overseeing fundraising and marketing in Oregon and Idaho, and with The Salvation Army's Intermountain Division, which served Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, and Montana. Served as the Director of Development for The Georgia Land Trust, Alabama Land Trust and The Chattowah Open Land Trust. Was the Foundation Director at St. Joseph’s/Candler Health System and served as the Executive Director of one of the largest emergency shelters for abused and neglected children in South Carolina. 

An experienced trouble-shooter John was often brought in to nonprofits in crisis to help turn them around. He consults to nonprofits and churches. 

John's education includes The Fund Raising School at Indiana University Center on Philanthropy, Christian Life College, Harper College, and Maryville Academy as the first certified Family Treatment Parents for an innovative therapeutic foster care program, and was a State of Indiana certified Emergency Medical Technician (EMT). 

John has served on the Board of Directors for Consumer Credit Counseling Service, the Latin American Services Organization (LASO), Taste of the Master Chefs, When Help Can’t Wait, and was Vice President of the Savannah chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP). Also served on the Grants Advisory committee for the South Carolina Children's Trust Fund, was past president of LASO and the Tybee Arts Association.