Shawna Carpenter
Ordained Pastor, Th.M., Ph.D.
I’ve always believed that words can open doors.
As a child, I dreamed of becoming an author. I loved stories—the way they could transport us, stir our imaginations, and sometimes say things to our hearts that ordinary conversation never quite can. Over time, that love of words deepened into something more: a calling to help people encounter God in ways that genuinely transform their lives.
Today, that calling shapes everything I do.
I’m a pastor, author, teacher, and spiritual formation guide with a passion for helping people encounter the Holy Spirit in the Word of God so that their lives are transformed. Whether through fiction, Bible studies, leadership resources, or digital teaching, my heart is to create spaces where people can engage Scripture deeply, hear God’s voice more clearly, and grow into maturity in Christ.
My own journey has included seasons of ministry, seasons of rebuilding, and seasons of deep learning. As the lead pastor of Grand River Community Church and a graduate of Regent University with a Ph.D. in Renewal Theology, I’ve spent years exploring the intersection of Scripture, spiritual formation, leadership, and the work of the Holy Spirit in shaping God’s people. But the most meaningful lessons have often come not from academic study, but from walking with God through real life—through transition, healing, surrender, and learning to trust His transforming presence in unexpected places.
That is why my work takes several forms.
My fiction—especially the Harbor Bridge novels—explores themes of healing, belonging, grace, and second chances through stories that invite readers into emotionally honest journeys of faith. My teaching through The Faith Shaped Heart focuses on spiritual formation, Scripture engagement, prayer, and everyday discipleship. My leadership resources are designed to encourage pastors and ministry leaders toward healthier, Christ-centered ministry. And through the Invitation Initiative, I hope to equip churches to help their people engage the Bible not simply for information, but for transformation.
At first glance, these may seem like different paths—but they are all expressions of the same mission.
Because whether through story, teaching, or ministry leadership, my desire is the same: to help people encounter the presence of God in ways that shape the heart, renew the mind, and transform the way we live.
I’m so glad you’re here.
Experience and Background
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Lead Pastor of Grand River Community Church, a Free Methodist congregation in Michigan focused on spiritual formation, discipleship, prayer, and biblical teaching
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Author of multiple books including fiction, Bible studies, and spiritually formative resources designed to help readers encounter God in meaningful ways
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Creator of The Faith Shaped Heart, a ministry focused on spiritual formation, Scripture engagement, prayer, and everyday discipleship
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Founder of the Invitation Initiative, an equipping ministry designed to help churches teach people how to engage the Bible for transformation through the work of the Holy Spirit
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Earned a Ph.D. in Renewal Theology from Regent University, with doctoral research focused on Pauline leadership theology, spiritual formation, and the role of equipping leadership in the church
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Experienced Bible teacher with a passion for helping people engage Scripture not merely for information, but for life transformation
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Ministry leader with years of experience in preaching and teaching, discipleship development, church culture formation, leadership development, spiritual formation coaching, sermon series and curriculum creation.
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Speaker for churches, retreats, and ministry settings on topics including: spiritual formation, hearing God in Scripture, prayer, leadership, healing and life transitions, healthy church culture.
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Lifelong storyteller with a passion for fiction that explores faith, healing, belonging, redemption, and the ways God meets us in unexpected season
Testimonies
In 2008 Shawna started a ministry school and she encouraged me to join her. Shawna has a great passion to equip/encourage others to walk in the destiny the Father has for them. Most of the time she sees this even before they see it in themselves. She did that for me, at 47 years old. I walked into the school having an incredible passion for God, yet no insight into how to walk out the passion He had placed in me. She saw a teaching/speaking gift in me that I never knew I had. She not only saw it, but created a platform for me to teach at the school. Something came alive in me as I stepped into ministering to others. I learned so much about ministry under her guidance and in turn, started my own ministry providing platforms for women to step into their destinies. I've never had anyone like her in my life, who believed in me, walked through messes with me and spurred me on to step into all that He had, not just for me but for many, many others at the ministry school, her former church and beyond. I highly recommend this woman. I am forever changed because of God's heart in her.
Pastor Cindy Buck
Founder/Director Abide Ministries
Shawna is an encouraging, visionary leader; clearly articulating the big picture of the Kingdom, while also recognizing and providing opportunities for the gifting and calling of individuals; intentionally providing a safe place for people to learn and grow. I’ve had the pleasure of sitting under, as well as ministering alongside Shawna, for years. She possesses a rare combination of confidence, conviction, unconditional love and humility; an inspiring teacher, yet always the student. Wherever Shawna has had the opportunity to influence, a momentum for change has been set in motion. People are inspired to think bigger, take risks and see the significance of themselves and others with greater clarity. Shawna is truly a gift to the Church.
Pastor Ed Krampitz
After knowing Shawna for nearly 10 years I finally really got to know her as my pastor, which is pretty rare but one of the things I appreciate about her the most. As a leader Shawna was able to give of her self and her time to help others step into their God given gifts and destinies. She is truly blessed with a confidence in others to shine when given the opportunity, which makes them want to give their best. She is a born leader. Shawna’s creativity and flare for arts and worship set her in a league of her own and again inspires those around her to reach higher for themselves in expression and freedom. I have been blessed to know her, and granted freedom and opportunity at her coaxing to share from my heart in many ways. She’s an encourager, teacher, coach, author, artist, musician, student, and lover of God and man, she excels at all she does, and all of her gifts are used to bless those of us who are fortunate enough to know her. To know Shawna is to witness faith and willingness to take risks for growth in those around her. I have come to admire and appreciate her more than mere words can express. She’s a gift, and I thank God for the honor of knowing her, and calling her my friend.
Mary Herrema
Founder/Director Rhema House Ministries
Grand Rapids, Michigan
Shawna has an intriguing way of pulling us, the readers, into this beautiful story with her image captivating details. The description of places and things are easy to envision, the diversity of emotions in the characters allows us to relate on many levels, and the unfolding of spiritual truths invites us to step into examining and experiencing them for ourselves. The theme of "the art of making room" grabbed my heart chapter after chapter - making room for forgiveness, for healing, for new beginnings, for others, for peace and for new parts of our stories, my story too. Thank you, Shawna, for sharing your story with all of us and letting God use it to touch our lives. Excited to read the next book!
Jerilynn Rhodes