Calvary's Leaders
Shannon Reese
What do you do at Calvary?
I am one of two Women’s Directors who help women connect with each other, grow in their faith and discover new opportunities to reach out to those in Orange County and around the world with the love of Jesus Christ.
How did you come to Calvary and how long have you been here?
Calvary was my original church home. My parents attended here when I was born and we remained as a family until I went to college and my dad became a pastor at a local church. After college, I got married, my dad was no longer a pastor, and my husband and I were in search of a church that we could call “Home” together. I like to say that Calvary is the church in which I grew up and the church in which we have chosen together to raise our family. Who says you can’t go home again?
What is your educational background and training?
I attended Biola University where I majored in Communication Studies and minored in Bible. I am a lifelong learner and love to read and continue my education informally through great books and ministry seminars/programs.
Where were you born and raised?
Born and raised in Orange County, I attended Calvary Christian Schools and Tustin High School.
Tell us about your family...
I am married to an amazing man. He is my best friend, my partner in life and the most godly man I know. We have two sons. They are both so different, but work together to keep us off the couch and on our knees. We live in North Tustin.
Tell us how you "popped the question," or how it was popped to you.
After what seemed like forever (actually just 9 months), my husband took me on a Christmas Eve date ending at a little chapel. Overlooking the twinkle lights in the city below, and after saying some amazing things, he got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. I knew I was going to say yes, but wanting to savor the moment, I just stood in silence until my poor husband had to ask me a second time. He might say it’s was the scariest moment of his life, but I hold it as one of my most treasured.
What is your favorite memory from your time at Calvary Church?
My greatest memories of Calvary as a child would probably be the missions trips that I took as a high school student to the Navajo Indian Reservation and Mexico. Those trips greatly influenced my worldview, my Kingdom view and how I viewed the purpose for which God had created me. These trips were never easy but they grew me in ways that have impacted my life forever. I learned to pray, depend on God’s Word hidden in my heart, and trust His plans for each day.
Who have been the biggest spiritual influencers in your life?
My parents have had the greatest spiritual influences on my life. They have both always been in some sort of Kingdom work/ministry and impart great wisdom to me when asked. I have watched them live daily with utmost integrity while faithfully serving God with all their heart, mind, soul and strength.
Favorite place you’ve been in the world and where do you want to go next?
I love to travel and have visited so many favorite places, but today I’d love to go back to Tuscany. In the future, I’d love to visit Quebec City, Canada, Spain and take my boys on safari in Africa.
When I can't be found at Calvary, I can be found...
I can be found at home, Jalapenos or Old Town Orange.
Hidden Talent?
It’s not that hidden, but I love to sing and cook... sometimes even at the same time (oooh, aaah, so crazy).
What do you count as the greatest invention of the last 100 years?
Simple Green. You can use it to clean anything, it’s non-toxic and it smells minty.
On what reality show would you most want to be a contestant?
I’d want to be on The Amazing Race with my husband. It seems like such a fun opportunity to travel the world, racing the clock, while being challenged to do crazy things on little or no sleep. What a rush!