We value plurality and diversity as necessary elements of effective leadership. We recognize our Senior Team Pastor as the leader of a team of pastors and elders. We are also mindful of the apostle’s directive to submit to one another, and rely heavily on each other to contribute to the team. We seek to foster a style of leadership that is open-handed, servant-minded, Spirit-led, and communicative. As leaders we want to model the values which we are trying to convey to the church. We expect to build a team which reflects our goal of being more culturally and racially diverse. We are seeking God, as to how to bring this ideal to reality.
Senior Team Pastor: Bob W. (Buddy) Walker, Jr.
Pastor Buddy has been the Senior Leader at Gospel Tabernacle since it’s beginning in the early 80s. His ministry life began at the age of 19, when he went to Mexico and Guatemala as a missionary. He later returned to the states with his young family and served as Youth Pastor at Gospel Tabernacle of Leesburg. A charismatic prayer meeting/home bible study in Umatilla was formed, which eventually named him as their Pastor. The rest of this story is History. Fluent in Spanish, Pastor Buddy travels frequently in Latin America, and other uttermost places, helping to train and mentor national pastors. His translocal ministry also includes helping organize city-wide evangelistic crusades and short-term mission trips as part of the leadership of Master Builders. He and his wife Kim have 7 children and 1 grandchild in their blended family.
Worship & Administrative Pastor: Robert Williams
Pastor Robert learned to play piano in small Baptist churches as a young boy. After serving as lay leaders in several churches, he and his wife Brenda joined Gospel Tabernacle in 1986. Following a series of career relocations, they came to be on staff at GoTab in 1994. Robert handles the administrative, business functions of the church, as well as overseeing the worship ministry team. Both are involved in teaching ministry, as well as being responsible for body ministry and fellowship. Robert and Brenda have 2 grown children and 3 grandchildren.
Family & Outreach Pastor: Shawn McCracken
Pastor Shawn grew up in an Assembly of God church, and later served as Youth Minister in the Church of God. His wife Maranda was a member of Gospel Tabernacle as a youth, and attended Christian school there. Following their marriage, they moved to Ft. Collins, Colorado to be part of a church planting team. Later they moved their young family back to Lake County, and eventually came to be on staff at Gospel Tabernacle as youth ministers. They are responsible for family ministry, including children, youth, and evangelistic outreach to the community. Shawn is the primary leader for our Life Groups, through which most local ministry takes place. He and Maranda have 2 young children.