John Shepherd

John Shepherd grew up on a small farm in Northwest Arkansas and moved to Southern California after graduating High School in 1954. He spent 20 years in an industry before getting his Associate Degree to become a Community College Instructor, retiring after 30 years of teaching at Mt. San Antonio College.  John has lived in Upland most of his life, except for the 2 years he spent in the Army. He met the love of his life, Nelda, shortly after moving to California and together they completed Ministry Partnership classes as CCF and realized for the first time “they were home!” John and Nelda were married for 60 years before her passing in September 2018.

John has been part of various denominations over the years, such as UMC, Southern Baptist, Church of God and of course, the Free Methodist Church. He was ordained in 1965 as a Deacon in the Baptist Church, and has served in that capacity many times since. He also served as Church Administrator for a church of about 400 members. We are honored to have his voice and experience, both in life and in leadership, as part of our Servant Council.