Shawn Thornton serves as President of Joni and Friends and brings decades of pastoral and leadership experience to the role. Over nearly thirty years in ministry, he has served as an assistant pastor, taught Bible and New Testament Greek, and pastored churches in West Virginia and California, including nearly seventeen years as Senior Pastor of Calvary Community Church in Westlake Village. Under his leadership, Calvary developed a thriving disability ministry in close partnership with Joni and Friends.
Shawn grew up in Northern Indiana and shares his story in his 2016 memoir, All But Normal: Life on Victory Road. He holds degrees from Appalachian Bible College and Capital Bible Seminary and is completing a doctorate in ministry leadership through Wheaton College. Shawn and his wife, Lesli, have three adult children and one son-in-law. He also serves on the boards of Awana Clubs International and Los Robles Hospital.
