The people behind Guiding Light

Originally from Brooklyn, New York City, Pastor Brian moved to the Myrtle Beach, South Carolina area at the age of 13. During his senior year of high school, after hearing the Gospel shared by his mother, he came to a saving faith in Jesus Christ—an experience that would ultimately shape his lifelong commitment to Christian ministry, education, and service to others.

Pastor Brian earned a Bachelor of Arts in Education from Coastal Carolina University and later completed a Master’s degree in School Administration from Cambridge College. His professional career includes four years of service as a mentor and youth advocate through the Department of Juvenile Justice, as well as work as a group-home mental health associate.

He went on to dedicate 20 years to public education, serving his first five years as a science teacher and the following 15 years as a school administrator and certified principal. His extensive experience working with students, families, teachers, and school communities provides valuable insight into educational leadership and the development of nurturing, structured learning environments.

Ordained into ministry in the Southern Baptist Church in 2005, Pastor Brian subsequently answered the Lord's call to serve within the Calvary Chapel movement. Over the course of 15 years at three Calvary Chapel churches, he served in numerous ministry leadership roles, including Worship Leader, Director of Evangelism, Preacher and Teacher, and Youth Pastor. During the latter part of this ministry, he sensed God's call to full-time pastoral ministry.

Pastor Brian's extensive background in both Christian ministry and professional education makes his guidance especially meaningful to Guiding Light Christian Montessori as we seek to provide children with an academically enriching, Christ-centered environment built upon our core values of Faith • Truth • Excellence.

Pastor Brian has been married for more than 20 years to his college sweetheart, Toni Shannon. Together they have two children and their beloved dog, Sassy. His commitment to Christ, family, education, and the spiritual development of the next generation reflects the heart of GLCM's mission to nurture children academically, socially, and spiritually.

A third-generation dairy farmer from Littlestown, Pennsylvania, John grew up with a strong appreciation for hard work, stewardship, family, and community. He initially believed God's path would lead him into electrical engineering and began his studies at Penn State University. However, his journey took a different direction when he left school to return to farming.

At age 21, John met his future wife, Ginger, and together they began building a life, family, and business. They established Green Manor Farm and were blessed with two children, Susan and Andrew. Farming during the difficult agricultural and economic environment of the 1980s challenged John and Ginger to think creatively and entrepreneurially.

John established a hay and straw business that developed new retail and distribution channels, including marketing straw through major retailers such as Home Depot. At the same time, Ginger founded an analytical laboratory and became certified and accredited in nutrient testing for agronomic applications.

When their farm business ultimately closed in 1993, John viewed the experience not simply as an ending, but as another chapter in the path God was creating for their family.

Over the following years, John pursued several entrepreneurial ventures, including a lawn installation company, international agricultural sales and development, and businesses in Puerto Rico, including a commercial composting operation. He developed significant expertise in commercial composting, agricultural systems, and sustainable resource management, helping develop additional commercial composting facilities in Florida.

As Susan and Andrew entered important formative years, John and Ginger intentionally adjusted their professional lives so they could remain more closely involved with their children. Ginger entered agricultural marketing and extension work, while John became manager of the Baltimore City Composting Facility, one of the largest and most advanced operations of its kind. The facility became a center for research, technology, and professional learning, welcoming visitors and industry representatives from across the United States and around the world.

In 2006, after their children had completed school and begun their own lives, John and Ginger returned to their agricultural roots by purchasing what became Evermore Farm in Westminster, Maryland. Built around regenerative and pasture-based agricultural principles, Evermore Farm developed direct-to-consumer programs, an on-farm retail store, and community-supported agriculture initiatives. The farm produces pasture-raised beef, pork, and eggs for direct sale to its community.

John has continued his entrepreneurial journey by developing a specialized business that harvests and repurposes components for medical, scientific, and other commercial equipment. His diverse professional experiences have given him a distinctive ability to combine big-picture thinking with practical technical skills, turning ideas into workable solutions.

Throughout the successes, challenges, transitions, and unexpected turns of his life, John's faith has remained foundational. He views his journey as evidence of God's guidance and provision and seeks to use the experience, knowledge, and opportunities he has been given for God's glory.

As a member of the Guiding Light Christian Montessori Board of Advisors, John offers valuable perspective in entrepreneurship, organizational development, sustainability, problem-solving, stewardship, and long-term strategic thinking. His life reflects the importance of perseverance, innovation, family, faithful stewardship, and trusting God's direction through every season.