A New Chapter: Welcoming Shawn Thornton as President
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Jeremiah 29:11
Oh, I have great news!…
It’s important news, too. Whenever I pray about the future of Joni and Friends, I always ask God to help us keep the Gospel of Jesus at the center of everything we do. And it is why I’m so excited to introduce to you our new president, Shawn Thornton. After sixteen years as Senior Pastor of Calvary Community Church in Westlake Village (just two miles from our office), Shawn has accepted the role as President of Joni and Friends, and I am delighted. Here’s why…
Shawn is a highly respected member of our Joni and Friends Board of Directors. Be it through volunteering with our ministry or leading his own congregation, Shawn consistently encourages people to live and love like Jesus. He holds degrees from Appalachian Bible College and Capital Bible Seminary. And his deep care for families struggling with disability inspired Calvary Community Church’s thriving special needs ministry, which serves as a model for churches across the United States.
Shawn experienced a solid Christian—but personally traumatic—childhood. In his 2016 memoir, All But Normal: Life on Victory Road, Shawn shares how God used his mother’s brain injury to develop his heart for the pastorate. While his mother’s mental and physical issues created a challenging home environment, she was nevertheless a woman of deep faith. Her tattered copy of the Joni book was always lying somewhere around the house and on difficult days she would say, “If Joni can make it, I can make it.”
When our most recent president, Laura Gardner, retired due to family needs, I knew that the person God chose next would be critical for maintaining the Gospel distinctives of Joni and Friends. I’m convinced Shawn Thornton is God’s man for this new season. His life experience, professional background, and deep commitment to Christ uniquely position him to help advance our mission of sharing the hope of Jesus Christ with people who deal with disability worldwide. Just listen to what he and his wife, Lesli, had to say…
“This opportunity to work alongside the ministry’s Founder, Joni Eareckson Tada—and help advance the Gospel within a community of people so close to our hearts—is one we believe God has unmistakably called us to pursue.”
Who better than Shawn, a true servant leader with a proven dedication to disability ministry, to lead us into this next season of ministry?
Ken and I could not be more pleased with this unfolding of God’s perfect plan. We are thrilled to be serving alongside Shawn and his wife, Lesli. As always, God bless you for your faithful support of Joni and Friends. And celebrate this exciting new season with us!
Onward and upward…
– Joni Eareckson Tada
All But Normal – Life on Victory Road
Shawn Thornton recounts growing up with a mother whose traumatic brain injury turned their home into a battlefield of love and chaos. Yet despite the chaos, Shawn’s journey with his mother’s condition ultimately leads to a powerful realization about love and family.
