Pastor Shawn believes that youth ministry offers him a variety of opportunities to serve God in ministry. He especially enjoys building relationships with young people, so he can encourage them to have a relationship with Jesus. In addition he has a passion to help youth discover how they might be ready for the soon return of Jesus.

Growing up in Long Beach, California, it seemed natural that Pastor Shawn would attend La Sierra University and spend the early years of ministry in California. Upon completion of his undergraduate degree in 2000, he was hired by the Northern California Conference, where he served the Middletown church as pastor and the St. Helena church as associate pastor. After serving these two churches for three years he attended the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary at Andrews University, where he graduated with a Master’s of Divinity degree in December of 2005. On August 11, 2006, Pastor Shawn was ordained to the gospel ministry—a definite highlight of his life. He came to Spencerville from the Northern California Conference, where he served as the associate pastor for youth ministry at the church in Ukiah. 

Pastor Shawn met his wife, Michelle Tatum, while they were students at La Sierra University. They were married in the fall of 2000 in Damascus, Maryland; Michelle is a native of Maryland. In April of 2008 they were blessed with a daughter, Julianne. Living in Maryland and serving the Spencerville congregation gives them an opportunity to be closer to family, as well as giving Pastor Shawn further opportunities to pursue his passion for youth ministry.

In addition to his zeal for ministry, Pastor Shawn has many interests including camping, canoeing, hiking, swimming, music, cooking, Mexican food, but his greatest interest lies in woodworking.