Q&A: Caring for the Flock

Bill Shannon

Bill has served on staff since 1989, and he is the co-pastor of Anchored, a Sunday morning adult fellowship group. Bill oversees and is actively involved in the biblical counseling ministry—he teaches discipleship counseling and marriage and family classes through Grace Equip and provides formal and informal counseling for church members and regular attenders of Grace Church. He is also a member of the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors (ACBC) where he serves as a fellow. Bill has enjoyed opportunities to minister internationally, teaching at pastors' conferences and training centers in India, Croatia, England, Poland, the Czech-Republic, Japan, Ireland, and South Africa. Bill graduated from Iona College (B.A.) in New Rochelle, New York, and earned his M.Div. and D.Min. from The Master's Seminary in Sun Valley, California. Bill and his wife, Donna, have two daughters and five granddaughters.

Tom Patton

Tom has been on staff at Grace Church since 2001. He has served as pastor over membership, and currently serves as pastor of congregational care ministries, providing pastoral support to individuals and families during times of trial through counseling, visitations, and discipleship. Tom earned his B.A. at The Master's University and his M.Div. at The Master's Seminary, where he also serves as an adjunct professor. Tom co-pastors the Joint Heirs fellowship group. He and his wife, Lori, have three wonderful sons.

Rick McLean

Rick graduated from The Master’s University with a degree in Christian education and from The Master’s Seminary with an M.Div. degree. For six years, Rick served in an outreach ministry of Grace Church to the homeless in L.A., and then served in the Sunday School ministry for six years. Since 2002, he has been privileged to pastor Special Ministries, a ministry for the mentally and physically disabled people of the church. Rick also serves in the Pastoral Care Ministry, and is blessed to have his wife, Janelle, to serve alongside him in these ministries.