Meet the Practical Shepherding Team
Brian Croft, Founder/ Executive Director
Brian Founded Practical Shepherding over 16 years ago. In his role he leads in the development, vision, and direction of the ministry. He is married to Cara, they have 4 children. Brian has served the church in various roles, most recently as Sr. Pastor at Auburndale Baptist Church in Louisville, KY (2003-2020). As of January 2021, Brian serves in a full-time capacity as Executive Director. In addition he also serves as Senior Fellow for the Mathena Center for Church Revitalization at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.
Matthew Spandler-Davison, Ministry director
Matthew Spandler-Davison serves as the Ministry Director for Practical Shepherding. He oversees the work of the Practical Shepherding Ministry Team with responsibility for Church in Hard Places, The Shepherd’s House, Practical Shepherding Women, Replant Cohorts, and International ministries. Matthew is the church planter and a preaching pastor of Redeemer Fellowship Church in Bardstown, Kentucky. He is also the co-founder and Executive Director of 20schemes, a church-planting ministry in Scotland’s poorest communities. He serves as a faculty member of The Heartland of Texas College of the Bible which works to train men and women in the Texas state prison system. Originally from Stonehaven, Scotland, he served in the British Coastguard, worked at the Scottish Parliament, is a graduate of the University of Aberdeen and was awarded a doctorate by The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Matthew is married to Tracy and has two daughters.
Sean corser, operations director
As Operations Director, Sean oversees communications, website administration, accounting, and HR. Sean is married to Annie, they have two children. They are members of Highview Baptist Church in Louisville, KY. You can email him by clicking below.
Kyle mcclellan, partnership development director
Kyle is an ordained teaching elder in the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA), and a veteran of 28 years of pastoral ministry. Kyle's most recent calling was as the founding pastor of Grace Church, a PCA congregation in his hometown of Fremont, NE. Kyle and his wife Amy have two grown children, Gabrielle and Nathaniel. In addition to his work at PS, Kyle also serves as an adjunct professor in the Reformed Theological Seminary system, and has been active in the Charles Simeon Trust. He also wrote Mea Culpa, a book that is part of Practical Shepherding's curriculum in Practically Trained Pastors. When he's not doing pastor stuff, Kyle is a meathead, Star Wars nerd, pizza maker, and avid fan of the Nebraska Cornhuskers, Detroit Lions, and Toronto Maple Leafs. He also holds degrees from Taylor University, Southern Seminary, and Beeson Divinity School.
Hector candelaria, director of practical shepherding en español
Pastor Hector began to serve as a Church Planter in the city of Cleveland, Ohio in 2014, reaching the Hispanic community. Currently, Pastor Hector is completing his master’s in theological studies with a concentration in pastoral ministry at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He is also one of the Pastors of Iglesia Missio Dei in Dorado, Puerto Rico
Jim savastio, president of the board
Jim has been with Practical Shepherding since its founding. He is married to Becky, and they have been blessed with three daughters and one son. Jim is a Pastor at Reformed Baptist Church in Louisville, KY. You can find more about him by clicking below.
Rachel roy, operations manager
Rachel is from Bowling Green, Kentucky and met her husband, Jacob, at Western Kentucky University. Since moving to Louisville, she has served administratively within the local church and at The Southern Baptist Theology Seminary. Rachel has a desire to care for pastors and their families and is excited for the ministry that will happen in and through The Shepherd’s House.
heidi scobell, finance administrator
Spending many years with J.P. Morgan Chase Bank, Heidi brings expertise in financial operations. Heidi is married to Al and they are members of Graceland Baptist Church. Heidi and Al have 3 grown children, and many grandchildren.
tim sizemore, cohort manager
Bio incoming
dawn gribbin, executive assistant
Dawn has been a pastor's wife for 8 years as her husband serves as Assistant Pastor at Redeemer Fellowship Church. She and her husband Chris have two daughters and a son. Dawn is grateful to have a part in Church in Hard Places and to see how we can continue to make a difference in the lives of pastors around the world.
bethel webb, Care manager
Bethel was born in Manila and was raised in Laoag City, Philippines. She earned a BA in Social Sciences (2014) from the University of the Philippines-Baguio, an MA in Biblical Counseling (2018), and a Doctorate in Education (2021) from Southern Seminary. Bethel’s
research interests are in Epistemology, Discipleship & Human Development, Christian education, Cross-cultural Education, and Biblical Counseling.
Growing up as a pastor’s kid exposed Bethel to the challenges of full-time ministry. She partners with Practical Shepherding through providing counseling to pastor’s wives.
Cara Croft, Director of counseling ministry
As the wife of a senior pastor, Cara has a desire to minister to women who are in ministry or married to someone in ministry. She understands the challenges that accompany ministry work. In her role she speaks at conferences and counsels women regularly. She is a mom to 4 children. Cara looks forward to serving you and walking with you as you strive to be a faithful servant of God.