Pastor Thom Carden

Thom is 69 yrs old and has been married to his bride Cindy for 43 yrs. They have 2 grown sons Justin & Paul who have provided them with 3 grandchildren. After spending most of his adult life running from the calling that he felt for many years, Thom would find himself very distant from what God had planned for him. God's grace & mercy would be extending to as low as Thom could have gone in his life to pull him out of the depths of darkness. Thom is a product of the "Jesus People" movement that started out of Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa where Pastor Chuck Smith ministered to a group of youngsters known as "Hippies." Thom was one of those people who was looking for peace & love and found it in Jesus after hearing a guy named Lonnie Frisbee share the gospel in a way he understood. Many years would go by before Thom would find himself totally surrendered to the Lord and began serving Him with his whole heart. Thom would eventually land @ Calvary Chapel in McMinnville, Oregon where he was mentored by Pastor Ron Smith. It was there that Thom began to serve leading classes in "The Most Excellent Way" & also teaching in the extension Bible college. He would find himself preaching at a "Cowboy Church" as well as stints at the Rescue Mission in Salem. Thom & his wife Cindy were instrumental in Planting the church here in Sheridan in 2008 where they began with 12 people meeting @ a local elementary school. Thom continues to be amazed at the grace & mercy of God in allowing him to be used to teach the Word as well as shepherd a group of loving people.