About Us

Meet Our Pastors

Rev. Adam Nickell (Bth, Mts) :: Senior Pastor

Hello and welcome to our online "introduction" to Gentle Shepherd Church. I invite to you come and experience in person the real community of faith at Gentle Shepherd. Consider this your invitation to "come and know us better"!

A little about me: I was born and raised in Cambridge, Ontario and I am 40 years old. The love of my life is Amanda and God has blessed us with 4 wonderful kids: Josiah (10 yrs), Jubilee (8 yrs), and Sarah (6 yrs) and Silas (4 yrs). After finishing my undergrad in theology at Emmanuel Bible College in Kitchener in April of 1994, I launched out into pastoral ministry being called to a summer youth pastorate in Haliburton County where I served the two point charge of West Guilford Baptist and Eagle Lake Community Church . From there in the Fall of 1994, I was called as Minister of Youth to Gentle Shepherd Community Church in Eugenia, Ontario. I served God in and through Gentle Shepherd for 12 years as youth pastor until I accepted a call to the lead pastoral role at Bethel Community Church in Barrie where I enjoyed over 5 years of ministry with a great group of Jesus followers. Most recently now in May of 2011, I have returned to Gentle Shepherd to lead the church as Senior Pastor. There is great joy on the journey!

Just so you know I also completed a Masters of Theological Studies at Tyndale Seminary in May of 2003 and I am also a graduate of the Arrow Leadership Program (Canadian Class of 1999). In my spare time I enjoy time with family, a good book, a good movie, or even an evening of bass fishing.

Pastor J.P. Smits :: Youth & Music Pastor

The congregation of Gentle Shepherd Community Church – Grey County is pleased to announce that JP Smits has accepted their call to the position of Youth Pastor.

JP comes to us with a passion for the evangelization and discipleship of children, youth, and young adults. JP was raised in Markdale and attended Grey Highlands Secondary School. He received his formal youth ministry training at Youth with a Mission (YWAM), the School of Missions and Evangelism (SOME) and at Rhema Bible Training Centre in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. JP has previously served as youth pastor at Blue Mountain Community Church, on short-term missions to Honduras and India, has had a successful Christian music ministry with a touring band, Zacc’s Tree, and has developed into a strong worship leader as a solo artist. He has one CD release to his credit and another project in progress. JP has put his music ministry and infectious enthusiasm for the gospel to good use in his previous ministry experiences and we are looking forward to the impact he is going to have amongst the youth in our community.

Supporting Clergy:

Rev. Ann Gillies
Rev. Shirley Ferris
Rev. Derwyn Docken
Pastor Emeritus: Rev. Don Prince