SHANON L. THOMAS, SENIOR PASTOR
Rockwall Friendship Baptist Church was founded in 2004 by Pastor Shanon Thomas and he continues to lead the church today. Shanon saw his need of a Savior at age 9 and began a personal relationship with Jesus Christ at that time.
He is a graduate of Texas A&M Commerce with a BS in Business. Following his undergrad work, he attended Criswell College and graduated with a MA in Christian Leadership. He returned to Criswell College and earned a Masters Degree in Counseling and is a Licensed Professional Counselor Intern; he's now pursuing a doctorate degree. After a few years in the corporate world, he joined the ministry. He has been preaching and teaching for over 25 years, spending several years teaching young adults and married couples.
Shanon has spent the majority of his life in Dallas where he enjoys reading and going to the driving range. Shanon and his wife Sophia were married in 1996 and they have one son, Zachary. They invite you to visit Rockwall Friendship and would love to meet you.
BRANDON VESTAL, EDUCATION AND MISSIONS PASTOR
Brandon Vestal joined our leadership team as Student Pastor in 2017. Brandon uses his outgoing and energetic teaching style to provide an avenue for students to truly learn how to be a disciple of Jesus. He desires that teens serve Jesus in action, truly know him and walk with him in their daily lives, and be prepared to give an answer for why they believe.
He earned his B.A. from Howard Payne University and following his undergrad work, he completed his Master’s from University of Texas Arlington. He has spent many years as a history teacher, most recently at Rockwall-Heath High School. In 2018, Brandon began pursuing his doctorate in Educational Administration.
Brandon enjoys spending time outside-- bow hunting, mountain biking, rock climbing, and just being in creation. Brandon’s wife, LaVonda, is an educator also. They have three children: Faith, Judah, and Asha.
MOSES SHILLOW, PASTORAL CARE PASTOR
Pastor Moses Shillow joined the Rockwall Friendship Baptist Church team as the Pastoral Care Pastor in March 2022. He was no stranger to the pulpit of RFBC, having been entrusted to deliver messages to parishioners occasionally during Sunday morning worship. He also previously served RFBC by volunteering to offer comfort to grieving families and members in need as the Associate Minister of Care and Comfort.
While Pastor Shillow’s career in ministry dates back to the 1970s where he first served as a deacon at Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church, Anchorage, Alaska, his love for God and desire to serve was ingrained in his upbringing as a child in the outskirts of Opelousas, Louisiana.
“Unless you were ill, everyone in our household was in attendance each Sunday,” Shillow said of the least of the requirements his mom and dad had of their family building there own relationship with God. He accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior at the tender age of six.
“In addition to church attendance, we had Bible reading time, Bible drills and family prayer time on a regular basis. Living out in the country, we had an additional opportunity to sit on the screened porch and sing hymns and other gospel songs. As a result of the above activities, I came to [know] Jesus Christ at an early age.,” he continued.
Pastor Shillow earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting from Grambling State University in Grambling, LA. He also holds a Master of Divinity Degree which he earned from North Carolina Theological Seminary, Clinton, NC.
He and his wife of eight years, Ardra, live in Rockwall, TX. Together, they have four children, four grandchildren and a fifth on the way.
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