Shon grew up in a Christian home. While he asked the Lord into his life at age 9, it wasn’t then that he felt he truly had a relationship with Jesus. With his parent’s separation and divorce, Shon earnestly sought the Lord at age 18. This is the point where he describes faith in the Lord as being “fully mine.”
According to his father and others in his life, leadership has been a natural gift from God for Shon. He admits he didn’t always embrace this gift. Nonetheless, God was patient, teaching him lessons throughout his life about God’s faithfulness and provision. Shon adds that some of those lessons were self-inflicted.
How did he become the City Director in Southern California?
“It kinda just happened,” he said.
“We had an idea that the Lord was calling us. We just didn’t know in what capacity. We found that many people were wanting to get involved with Love Life, and there was no local leadership. So, my wife, Jess, and I organized teams, made sure people got training, and held prayer meetings.”
It was quickly apparent that Shon was emerging as a leader with a knack for organizing and seeing what was needed. But there was a problem. Shon had a very demanding, well-paying job he loved. He continued to lead church outreach development in his area while working more than full-time hours at his paid job.
“I currently work at an oil refinery in the LA area. This has been my job for just about 10 years now. I have also been a volunteer firefighter for the on-site fire department for almost 10 years as well.
I haven’t left this job YET. The decision to leave or not has been difficult because I really do enjoy this job. It has provided a comfortable way of life for my family and me and taught me a lot of valuable skills. But it can be very taxing of my family time. It has not been uncommon for me to work 800 to 1000 hours of overtime in a single year.”
In terms of security and financial compensation, his career is hard to surpass.
“This is a career that I am easily making a 6-figure income, I have great medical, 401(k), I’m fully vested in the company’s pension plan, I am at the highest paid union post I can be, plus many other factors… but I believe the Lord is calling me to greater spiritual things.”
So, like many of the Love Life directors, the decision to move into that position was not an easy choice. It often involves sacrifice. Shon further explained his thoughts as he weighed what he should do.
“Geez, half the battle has been getting over my own hang-ups with why I know I’m not qualified. The Lord has told me, though, ‘be obedient to what I’ve called you to do.’ I have failed a lot at that in my life. His grace is bringing me out of that and into something better for my family and me.”
He finally made the choice that in January 2023, he would leave his Refinery work and step into the Love Life City Director role. He said he looks forward to just ONE full-time job!
Shon’s goals for the ministry echo the desires of many of the other Love Life Directors. His hopes reflect a deep, abiding faith in God and the power of the Gospel to transform lives.
“Ultimately, I want to see the Body of Christ answer God’s call to be the salt and light to a hurting and broken world. I want the body of Christ to realize that this invitation isn’t to be looked at begrudgingly. On the contrary, it’s an invitation of blessing. An invitation to labor with God is an invitation from a loving father to intimately experience His love, forgiveness, and power. Even His love and power to be used through oneself.
I want to see the abortion clinics’ doors closed in my mission field. I want to see and hear the confounded remarks of disbelief from naysayers as a newly strengthened and reviving chapter of the body of Christ celebrates.
My long-term hope is despite what CA does politically, abortion rates across the board begin and continue to sharply decline. “
Shon has already seen much fruit in Love Life Inland Empire.
“I feel like we have faced much of the pro-life gambit so far, but I realize it’s just the beginning.
The Lord has allowed us to see saves, salvations, healings, restorations, miracles, Christians experiencing self-revival…. We have seen many churches and pastors, and Pregnancy Resource Centers partnering with us….
But we’ve also seen rejection from churches and pastors. Women going back and getting an abortion after choosing life. Disunity and doubt…
I often refer and relate with Moses when I pray and speak about my mission field. Moses didn’t ask for a lot of what his role became, but the mantle was thrust upon him, and he suddenly found himself in charge of many people in the desert. The people have been called out of slavery, yay! Now the complaining begins… “
In case you missed it, Shon wanted us to know a couple of other insights about him: “I’m not very flashy, but I don’t mind being honest. I also like to joke around.”
We are grateful and blessed by this humble and honest servant of the Lord as he takes on this new position. May God richly reward His faithfulness.
If you would like to support the work God is doing in Inland Empire, CA or any of our cities nationwide, please visit our donate page here.
