Shepherds have been granted Biblical and congregational authority to watch over the spirituality of the congregation. Shepherds are not to lead by “corporate America fiat” focusing on administrative decrees. God’s plan for church leadership is through active living examples of loving care and concern.
The shepherds of East Grand Church of Christ work with the ministers as co-laborers in the Lord’s church. Relationships with ministers are treasured and nurtured. Ministers are regarded as friends and not treated as “the hired help.” We strongly feel that we are shepherds to the ministers and their families in the same manner as other members of the congregation.
While individual members have different talents and capabilities, we perceive each member should be a church leader and possess shepherd-like qualities. Authorities, responsibilities, and scopes differ but every member is encouraged to utilize talents God has blessed them with.
Leadership must be driven by faith, prayer and scripture. Our fallible nature compels us to depend upon our Father for wisdom and guidance. He has promised if some of us plant and some of us water, He will cause the growth. We trust Him.
Steve Edwards served as a shepherd from 1992 – 1996 and has been serving as a shepherd again since 2004. Steve graduated from Hillcrest High School and is a real estate investor and owner and president of Asset Marketing Consultants Inc. 
Steve and his wife, Sherry, were high school sweethearts and have two sons, a daughter and three grandchildren.
Steve’s areas of interest and responsibility as a shepherd are the youth program, office staff, facilities ministry, and Leaven groups. He and Sherry enjoy traveling and biking.
Gary Highbarger has been serving as a shepherd since May,1992. He spent two years studying at Drury University and earned a degree in Law Enforcement and Corrections. He went on to the Springfield Police Academy and the Missouri State Highway Patrol Academy. Gary worked for the Springfield Police Department prior to his retirement. 
Gary is married to Marti and they have two daughters, six grandchildren and two great grandchildren.
Gary’s areas of interest and responsibility as a shepherd are the work in Nicaragua, assisting hurting people and facilities.
Paul Hook has served as a shepherd since May, 2000. He has a Masters of Science in technical Education and is a high school teacher at Parkview High School in Industrial Technology. His classes combine the use of computers in the fields of woodworking, metal work and drafting.
Paul is married to Patty and they have a son, daughter and two grandchildren. Paul and Patty were foster parents for ten years providing care for five children.
Paul’s areas of interest and responsibility as a shepherd are education and worship. His personal interests include motorcycles, camping and woodworking.
Bob Scott has been serving as a shepherd since 2004. He graduated from Harding University with a BS in Biology and went on to attain his MD from the University of Missouri at Columbia, MO. Bob has specialized in Internal Medicine and now works at the MSU Taylor Health Clinic. 
Bob is married to Janet, and they have three daughters and four grandchildren.
Bob’s interests and areas of responsibility as a shepherd are education, worship and the work in Nicaragua. He has been on each medical mission trip to Nicaragua which East Grand has sponsored. His personal interests include long distance cycling.
Gary Smith has been serving as a shepherd since September, 1996. Gary’s education includes a BS in Medical Technology and a Masters in Healthcare Administration. His occupation was primarily that of a hospital administrator. About five years ago, he set up his own consulting company specializing in managing physician practices. His occupational interests also include conducting management seminars and making motivational presentations.
Gary and his wife, Jeannine met in first grade. In January 2010, they will have been married 40 years. They have two daughters.
Gary’s particular congregational interests include local evangelistic outreach, singles ministries, college ministries, Bingham Elementary programs, and East Grand Community Services. He has been privileged to conduct church leadership seminars to multiple congregations in multiple states.
Larry White has been serving as a shepherd since May, 1992. He graduated from Logan-Rogersville High School and opened his own business, White’s Auto Restyling, in 1975. He also established Catering Creations in 2008 and runs both companies successfully.
Larry’s interests and areas of responsibility are Bingham School and mission work in Nicaragua. Larry’s passion is the people of Nicaragua. In April of 1992
Larry saw first-hand the poverty of a third-world, war-torn country and their need for God. Since then he has helped organize many medical and building mission trips to assist the local Christians and our long-time missionary to reach people for Christ. One of the reasons Larry is so excited about mission work is that God has given him the perfect chance to obey His commands such as giving to the needy, feeding the hungry, clothing the naked… and the list goes on and on.
Larry and his wife Janet, have two daughters, a son and three grandchildren. His personal interests include the St. Louis Cardinals and playing with his grandchildren.
