Meet Our Team
We are truly blessed and thankful for the gifted servants who give of themselves at The Orchard Church.
Pastor
Scott Swanson
Hello, my name is Scott Swanson. I had the privilege of joining the team at The Orchard in July 2009 as Pastor of Family Ministries. I have spent many years working with youth both inside and outside the church, including a long history of coaching, especially wrestling. I graduated from Judson College with a business degree focused in management and leadership. After almost 17 years working in the business world, I followed the call I had long felt and entered ministry full time. Later, I received my Master's of Divinity from Bethel Seminary. As of April 1, 2018, Easter Sunday, I had the joy of transitioning into the role of senior pastor at The Orchard. I am excited about the work that God is doing at The Orchard, and am eager to help people develop spiritually, integrating their faith into all aspects of their daily lives. It is my desire that as people come to The Orchard they experience authentic worship of God, hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ clearly presented, are challenged and encouraged by the Word of God and connect with others who are also seeking to love God and love others.
I have a passion for missions and a special place in my heart for Haiti. I am blessed to serve as Vice-President on the U.S. board for Real Love Ministries International, a Haitian ministry based in Lafito, Haiti which has an orphanage, a school, and a soon to be open medical clinic.
I have been married to my wife, Dorene, since 1990. We began dating as freshmen at Northern Illinois University where Dorene finished her undergraduate work. She also has received a masters from George Washington University. I am so thankful for her support and encouragement. She is a constant blessing to me. We have two grown sons, Stuart and Spencer, and a daughter, Gina. Each is wonderful in his and her own way. And each is loved dearly.
I enjoy working on cars, especially the 1976 Jeep CJ7 I am building. I also enjoys playing guitar (although I play very basically). I enjoy listening to Rich Mullins, Needtobreathe, and Todd Agnew among many others.
My favorite Bible verses are:
John 14:6. "Jesus said to him, 'I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me'."
Micah 6:8. "He has told you. O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?"
I would love to have you join us on a Sunday as we worship our God; whether you have been a follower of Jesus for many years, are a new believer, or someone who is searching and seeking answers.
Pastor
Jeremy Shepherd
Hello, my name is Jeremy Shepherd. I am the Pastor of Family Ministries, and I have been at the church since November of 2021. I grew up in Schofield, WI before moving away when I went off to college. I spent 7 years at Faith Baptist Bible College and Theological Seminary in Ankeny, IA. Those seven years meant a lot to me as that is where God called me into the ministry. God took this introverted and afraid of speaking person and called me to serve Him. In those seven years, I obtained both a bachelors and masters in Pastoral Studies and obtained a Master of Divinity degree. College was also the place I met my wife Krissy, and we married in 2004 in Kansas City. In the last 18 years, I have served in many different capacities, both in and out of ministry. God has allowed me to serve as a lay youth pastor, lay pastor and supervisor at a at risk boys’ camp. I was ordained as a pastor in Iowa, which is where God taught me what it was to be a Pastor through both the good and the bad. God has taught me so much, and I would not trade any of that time away. I am so grateful for all the many blessings along the way. I am passionate about Jesus and making him known. I love teaching, counseling, and seeing lives change. I am passionate about coming alongside parents to encourage them in their life and their relationships with their kids and spouse.
I have 5 beautiful kids ranging in ages from 6 to 15 years… Austin, Jayden, Trenton, Jillian, and Daniel. I enjoy many things like reading, playing games, waterfalls, tigers, movies, sports, friends, and family. I love music even though I am unable to play an instrument or sing. I love a variety of styles, but I would say that Crowder, Phil Wickham, Matt Redman, and Newsboys are some of my favorites. My favorite movie of all time is Dances with Wolves. I love sports like the Packers, Bucks, Brewers, Badgers, and the Redwings. I am the emotional one in the family, but its ok for men to cry. I am so grateful that God has given me a spouse that has been super supportive and an encourager.
I hold strong to some passages and verses: Psalm 20:7, Romans 8, Colossians 1, Ecclesiastes, the Gospel of John, and the book of Hebrews. I love many books and have been really challenged to never stop learning, reading, and growing.
Psalm 20:7. "Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God."