Honoring Two Faithful Servants: The Rev. Canon Bob Lawrence & Dana Standridge
At New Wineskins Missions Network, we are profoundly grateful for the dedicated men and women who help advance global missions through their faithful service on our Board of Trustees. Today, we want to express our deep appreciation for two such servants who have given generously of their time, leadership, and hearts: The Rev. Canon Bob Lawrence and Dana Standridge.
For a decade, The Rev. Canon Bob Lawrence has served on the New Wineskins Board of Trustees with steadfast commitment and godly leadership. Bob consistently brought wisdom, discernment, and strategic insight to every conversation and decision. His heart for the Lord and for global missions has shaped the direction of our ministry in meaningful and lasting ways.
Specifically, Bob coordinated the travel, home stays, preaching engagements, and New Wineskins Conference participation of all of our international scholarship recipients. Then, when our previous Board Chair, Clark Smith, passed away in the fall of 2024, Bob stepped into the role of Chairman with grace, humility, and strength. His leadership during that season has been invaluable. Bob’s servant-hearted posture has modeled Christlike leadership to all of us, and the impact of his faithful service will continue to ripple into the future of New Wineskins and the global mission field. Bob will continue to serve as the Canon for Global Missions for the Anglican Diocese of South Carolina and represent them on our Global Missions Advocates team.
We are also profoundly grateful for Dana Standridge and the meaningful contributions she has made during her four years on the Board of Trustees. Dana has brought incredible insight, boundless enthusiasm, and support to the work of New Wineskins.
Her leadership was especially significant in preparing for the children’s ministry at the Hope for the Nations 2025 conference. She played a key role in co-leading the team and spearheading the adaptation of our Anglican Introduction to Missions curriculum into a curriculum specifically for children, an undertaking that will bless young hearts for years to come. Dana has a rare gift for making the gospel come alive for children in a way that kindles compassion, curiosity, and a heart for the nations. Her passion for sharing Jesus and equipping the next generation is truly inspiring. She will continue to serve her church, Incarnation Tallahassee as Children’s Ministry Coordinator, in the Anglican Diocese of the Gulf Atlantic. We are deeply thankful for the many years she has poured into this ministry and for the kingdom fruit that has come from her labor.
As we reflect on the faithful service of Bob and Dana, we are reminded that every believer has a role in the Great Commission. Some are called to go and serve cross-culturally.
Some are called to pray faithfully for the nations, for those who have yet to hear the name of Jesus and for those who are serving cross-culturally. Some are called to give sacrificially so others can be sent. And some are called to serve through leadership roles—such as serving on missions boards—that equip and support the work of global mission.
No matter how God calls us, all of us are invited to participate in His redemptive work in the world.
How is God calling you to fulfill the Great Commission?
Deacon Shelly Sorem serves as the Assistant Director for New Wineskins Missions Network and a deacon in the Diocese of Western Gulf Coast. She has a Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology. She serves on the Women’s Leadership Network which is part of the Provincial Leadership Network in the ACNA, her diocesan women’s ministry team and is a Global Mission Initiative Advocate in her diocese. She has served on the Provincial Council for the Order of the Daughters of the Holy Cross as president and vice president. She serves on the Board of Trustees for Trinity Anglican Seminary. Her heart is to see the name of Jesus taken to the ends of the earth. She is active in leading women’s conferences and retreats nationally and internationally. She loves to see organizations in the Anglican communion partner with one another to further the kingdom of God. She and Bill have been married for 34 years, have two wonderful daughters, two great sons-in-law and three precious granddaughters.
