Rev. Deana A. Nail | Director of Thriving in Ministry
First Year at Gordon-Conwell: 2014
Degrees: DMin (in progress – Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary), MDiv (Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary), BA (University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill)
Professional Experience: Deana lives to help people fall in love with Jesus. She has served in pastoral roles for 22 years, including a nine-year ministry as Gordon-Conwell Networked Education dean of students, a position in which she provided pastoral care and created spiritual formation environments for students. She has served as a pastor in churches across five denominations and a variety of demographics, where she gained invaluable experience in understanding pastors’ unique challenges and the systems needed to provide pastoral support and encouragement. Deana is also founder of Mission 12:11, a Bible teaching and spiritual formation consulting ministry and has co-led a mission partnership with churches in Cape Town, South Africa. As Thriving in Ministry director, Deana dreams of supporting pastors so that they lead their churches in loving Christ wholeheartedly, serving Him passionately and persevering unceasingly.
Places She’s Called Home: Charlotte area, Chapel Hill, and Winston-Salem, NC.
Fun Fact: Before God led Deana into vocational ministry, she served on the sports marketing team that brought the NFL’s Carolina Panthers into existence.
“Perhaps there has never been a more challenging and exciting time to be a pastor. My life’s verse is Acts 11:23, which speaks of Barnabas encouraging the new church at Antioch to remain true to Christ with all their hearts. I pray that God works through Thriving in Ministry to help pastors connect deeply with Christ and His vision for their family, church and community at a time such as this.”
[email protected] | 978-646-4222
Kim Richards | Project Administrator, Thriving in Ministry
First Year at Gordon-Conwell: 2019
Education: Business (Newbury College)
Experience: Kim has 35 years of working life experience as an entrepreneur, and in areas of hospitality, accounting, data processing, church ministries coordination, missions. She has also served in church community outreach to help bring the transforming power and love of Christ among the homeless, addicted, and impoverished, also receiving her Domestic Violence Advocate Certificate and serving in a volunteer leadership role among victims and survivors.
Places She’s Called Home: Boston’s North Shore
Fun Fact: Kim is known to engage in a spontaneous conversation with people in unexpected places who have then become a friend. She enjoys anything creative or nostalgic, period piece films, music, gardening, and writing.
“Working at Gordon-Conwell has provided a wonderful opportunity to participate in a supportive role that seeks to bless beloved pastors so they can continue to flourish and thrive in church leadership.”
Rev. Terry Shanahan | Oasis Facilitator
First Year at Gordon-Conwell: 2023
Degrees: MA (Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary), BA (University of New Hampshire), Associates of Arts (Northeastern Junior College)
Professional Experience: Terry served in pastoral ministry for over 30 years, as Associate Pastor at Rye Congregational Church and then Pastor at Nottingham Congregational Church, both in New Hampshire. After his pastoral assignments, he served for fifteen years as the Northeast Regional Pastor for the Conservative Congregational Christian Conference. He is trained in Biblical Peacemaking principals and has been a part of numerous Pastoral Care teams to help restore pastors to ministry. Terry has also served on the Boards of Vision New England, Overseed, and Interim Pastor Ministry.
Places He’s Called Home: Rye, NH, Michigan, and Florida.
Fun Fact: Terry loves to sing along with Irish music. He also loves walking his dog Chloe on the beach and traveling to visit family.
“We live in such a changing world that many pastors were trained for a world that no longer exists. High importance must be placed on lifelong learning and being there for one another. There has never been a time when pastors needed someone more to come along side for mentoring and encouragement. It is my joy to fulfill this role through the ministry of Oasis.”
[email protected] | 603-303-1280
Laura Carmer | Senior Director of Alumni Engagement
First Year at Gordon-Conwell: 2020
Degrees: MACO (Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary); BA in Psychology and BA in Spanish (Carnegie-Mellon University)
Professional Experience: Laura has 30+ years of experience in higher education administration in the areas of global education, missions, service-learning, and student life, as well as experience co-directing an honors program in faith and vocation. She has also worked in community mental health, campus ministry, and church community outreach.
Places She’s Called Home: Rural central PA, Pittsburgh, and Boston’s North Shore
Fun Fact: Laura loves to explore and understand other cultures. Her work has allowed her to build relationships and partnerships in a dozen countries around the world in addition to her personal friendships and travel in many more.
“I love that I get to know, serve, and support Gordon-Conwell’s remarkable alumni. It is so inspiring to see how our alumni are faithfully living out their various callings. It’s a joy to work under a President and alongside colleagues who daily exemplify devotion to the Lord and creative, humble service in all that they do.”