John Shepherd

Having grown up in the home of a pastor, John decided at an early age that life in the fishbowl was not for him. So, he pursued and received his B. S. in Mechanical Engineering from Tennessee Technological University, and began his career as an aeromechanical engineer in Huntsville, AL. At the age of 24, he surrendered his life to Jesus Christ, and within a year, he sensed that God was calling him to do the one thing he said he would never do--go into full-time vocational ministry.

To prepare for ministry, he received his Master of Divinity from Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary in Memphis, and a Doctor of Ministry in Missions Leadership from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, KY.

John has served in full-time ministry for more than 3 decades in a variety of ministry settings: Church Planter, Executive Pastor, Lead Pastor, Church Consultant, and Denomination Leader. Each of these settings has given him a deep understanding of the pressures and complex challenges that pastors and ministry leaders face today.

During the last 5 years of ministry as a Lead Pastor, John was personally guided and encouraged by a Field Shepherd with Standing Stone. So, he knows first-hand how transformational a relationship with a Field Shepherd can be. He feels called to be able to help shepherd other shepherds through the complex challenges of ministry today.

His Life Verse is John 15:16--"You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in My name the Father will give you."

His 2 favorite Leadership Axioms are:
- John Wooden: "When opportunity knocks, it's too late to prepare."
- Bear Bryant: "Tough times don't last, but tough people do."

John and his wife Joy have been married for more than 3 decades. They live in Murfreesboro, TN, and have 3 grown sons and 2 grandchildren whom they adore.

When they are not spending time with their grandchildren, he loves University of Tennessee football and basketball, Atlanta Braves, movies, and Crossfit.