Dr. Thomas Pennington
Pastor of Preaching & Administration
Pastor Tom joined the pastoral staff of GBF in June 2016, following a nine-year tenure as a Portland Police Officer. He is also a veteran of the United States Navy, where he met his wife, Tami.
After leaving the Navy in 2004, he commenced his academic pursuits at Multnomah University, earning a degree in Biblical and Theological Studies with a minor in New Testament Greek. Subsequently, he attended Western Seminary, where he obtained a Master’s degree in Theological Studies.
In 2019, Pastor Tom embarked on doctoral studies at The Master’s Seminary, with a specialization in expositional preaching. His dissertation focused on the doctrinal foundations for church unity as articulated by the Apostle Paul.
Meet Pastor Tom
Pastor Tom joined the pastoral staff of GBF in June 2016 after serving nine years as a Portland Police Officer. Before his law enforcement career, he proudly served in the United States Navy, where he met his wife, Tami. His journey has taken him from military service and policing to pastoral ministry, theological education, and Christian leadership, all driven by a desire to faithfully serve Christ and equip His church.
Military Service and Law Enforcement
Pastor Tom served in the United States Navy before beginning a nine year career with the Portland Police Bureau. These experiences shaped his leadership, discipline, and commitment to serving others. His background in both military and law enforcement continues to influence his ministry, providing a unique perspective on leadership, integrity, courage, and caring for people during life’s most difficult moments.
Education and Theological Training
After leaving the Navy in 2004, Pastor Tom began his formal theological education at Multnomah University, where he earned a degree in Biblical and Theological Studies with a minor in New Testament Greek.
He later attended Western Seminary and completed a Master of Theological Studies degree, continuing to deepen his understanding of Scripture and Christian doctrine.
In 2019, Pastor Tom began doctoral studies at The Master’s Seminary with a specialization in expositional preaching. His dissertation focused on the doctrinal foundations for church unity as taught by the Apostle Paul, reflecting his passion for sound biblical teaching and the unity of Christ’s church.
A Passion for Biblical Teaching
Pastor Tom is passionate about helping Christians grow in their understanding of God’s Word and applying biblical truth to everyday life. His ministry is centered on faithful exposition of Scripture, theological depth, and practical discipleship.
He believes that spiritual growth comes through knowing God’s Word, and he desires to equip believers with both biblical knowledge and a deeper love for Christ.
A Heart for Evangelism
Along with his commitment to biblical teaching, Pastor Tom has a deep desire to see Christians confidently share the gospel with others.
He believes the message of Jesus Christ transforms lives and that every believer has the privilege of making Christ known. His ministry continually emphasizes both growing in faith and faithfully proclaiming the hope of the gospel to a world in need.
Global Missions Experience
Pastor Tom’s military service and mission opportunities have taken him to more than a dozen countries around the world.
Some of his greatest joys have come from worshipping alongside Christians from many different cultures and backgrounds. These experiences have reinforced his appreciation for the unity of believers across the world and the power of the gospel to transcend language, culture, and nationality.
Seeing God’s work through the global church has strengthened his commitment to biblical truth, church unity, and worldwide evangelism.
Teaching the Next Generation
In the summer of 2025, Pastor Tom accepted the position of Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice at Corban University.
In this unique role, he combines his military, law enforcement, and theological background to prepare future criminal justice professionals through a distinctly Christian worldview. As a faculty member, he seeks to integrate biblical truth into every aspect of criminal justice education while encouraging students to pursue excellence, integrity, and faithfulness to Jesus Christ within their chosen profession.
Pastor, Teacher, and Shepherd
Whether preaching from the pulpit, teaching in the classroom, traveling on mission, or serving within the local church, Pastor Tom’s desire remains the same, to help people know Christ more deeply, understand God’s Word more faithfully, and live lives that bring glory to Him.
Together with his wife, Tami, he considers it a privilege to serve the church family at GBF and to invest in the spiritual growth of people of every generation.
Elders
Family and Ministry at Grace Bible Fellowship
Dean and his wife, Deborah, have been part of the Grace Bible Fellowship family since June 2014. They are the proud parents of five children: Desiree, Troy, Caleb, Devin, and Mark. Dean began serving as an Elder in 2019. In December 2020, he joined the pastoral staff as Pastor of Discipleship.
Early Life and Faith
Dean grew up on his family’s farm near Moses Lake in Central Washington. From an early age, church was an important part of his life.
His family was actively involved at First Baptist Church in Othello. There, Dean regularly heard the Gospel preached and saw his parents live out their faith at home. He trusted in Christ at a young age and soon began serving in the church.
A Growing Passion for Ministry
Dean’s love for ministry began early and grew through more than 20 years of involvement in the AWANA program. He first took part as a student and later became a faithful leader in several churches.
When Dean was 16, his family moved to Vale, Oregon. He finished high school there and attended community college in nearby Ontario.
During that time, he served at Malheur Butte Baptist Church in several ways. He taught children’s Sunday school, worked as an usher and greeter, occasionally led worship, and directed the AWANA program. He also became involved in youth ministry, serving as youth group treasurer and helping plan events.
College Years and Meeting Deborah
In 1998, Dean transferred to Oregon State University in Corvallis, where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management.
While attending OSU, he lived at the Varsity House Men’s Cooperative, attended First Baptist Church, and continued serving in AWANA.
Dean also became involved with Campus Ambassadors, a college ministry. He served in leadership by teaching, writing skits, and organizing events.
Most importantly, this was where he met his future wife, Deborah, with some helpful encouragement from mutual friends that they are still thankful for today.
Thankful for God’s Faithfulness
Dean and Deborah are deeply thankful for the Lord’s faithfulness throughout their lives and for leading them to Grace Bible Fellowship.
They feel blessed to be part of a genuine, Christ-centered church family and look forward to many more years of growing and serving together for the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Early Life and Military Service
Jack is a sinner saved by the grace of God through the atoning sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ. He was born in Mississippi and raised in Texas. Although he struggled in school, he was able to receive an A-4 college exemption that gave him a deferment during the Vietnam War. When the war continued, Jack was drafted in 1968 and chose to enlist in the United States Navy, where he served in the Navy Air Wing at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island in Washington State.
Marriage and Family
During his time in the Navy, Jack met Gloria, who became his beloved wife of 54 years. Together, they have been blessed with two grown and married sons, five grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren, with hopes for more in the years ahead. In 2015, God led Jack and Gloria to Oregon so they could be closer to their children and family.
Grace Bible Fellowship
In 2020, during the disruptions of the COVID-19 pandemic, Jack and Gloria began attending Grace Bible Fellowship. From their first visit, they knew they had found their church home. Jack is deeply thankful to be part of a church where knowing and serving Jesus Christ is a shared passion, and he considers it a joy and privilege to take part in the ministry of GBF.
Early Life and Faith
Gary Paulsen was born in Chicago Heights, Illinois, and spent much of his childhood in Crown Point, Indiana. In 1969, he moved to Pasadena, California, where he joined the United States Navy. After completing his service, Gary worked with his father in the family dry cleaning business. In 1974, his life changed after he heard a sermon on Matthew 5:3, “Blessed are the poor in spirit.” That message led him to place his faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and sparked a lasting love for studying and teaching God’s Word.
Ministry and Seminary
Soon after becoming a Christian, Gary began teaching in his local church. He led groups ranging from fourth graders to junior high students and post-college adults, and it was in that adult class that he met his wife, Dorothy. In the mid-1980s, Gary began taking Bible institute classes at Grace Community Church under the ministry of Pastor John MacArthur. Encouraged by the strong biblical teaching, he enrolled in The Master’s Seminary in 1989, earned a Bachelor of Theology degree in 1993, and soon afterward was called to serve as lead pastor of a small church plant in Glendora, California.
Family and Continued Service
In 1996, Gary and his family moved to Eugene, Oregon, where he returned to the dry cleaning business while continuing to serve faithfully in ministry. He worked with the junior high and high school AWANA program, led Bible studies, taught Sunday school theology classes, and occasionally preached at Emerald Bible Fellowship. He also worked part-time as a fly fishing guide on the McKenzie River, enjoying God’s creation in a hands-on way. Gary and Dorothy are blessed with four children, Nathaniel, Emily, Casey, and Laura, and six grandchildren.
