SHEPHERD’S GATEWAY STAFF
Directors of Ministries:
Wesley & Marissa Pennington
Wesley Pennington grew up in Cranston, Rhode Island in a family of five boys, in which he is the youngest and one girl. He graduated from Cranston High School East and went on to study sociology at Western Connecticut State University.
Wesley Pennington then became a member of the United States Army. As a member of the Army, Wesley served a tour in Korea. Upon coming back from Korea, he was assigned to the prestigious 82nd Airborne Division. During his time with the 82nd, he was one of the first groups sent to Operation Desert Storm.
On completion of his military commitment he returned to Rhode Island where he worked for the West Warwick Police Department. After 2 1/2 years, he left there and went to work with the Rhode Island State Police. In December of 2022, Wesley retired from the State Police after serving for 28 years. He is currently the Program Director for Mothers Against Drunk Driving (M.A.D.D) – Rhode Island.
In his spare time, Wesley also coaches high school football, previously holding the position of Head Coach at North Smithfield HS (earning the team a 2019 championship and himself the 2019 Football Coach of the Year Award), and currently the position of Head Coach at West Warwick HS.
Wesley is also an ordained Pastor at his home church, Sacred Exchange Fellowship in East Greenwich, Rhode Island. He is the founder and president of Rally Point Men’s Ministries.
Wesley is married to his wife, Marissa, and has two daughters, Ashley and Eliana.
Marissa Pennington has been married for 9 years to Pastor Wes Pennington. She has one stepdaughter, Ashley, and a biological daughter, Eliana. She has served as a leader in many different aspects within their home church, Sacred Exchange Fellowship located in East Greenwich, RI. From running the nursery, to working alongside her husband as youth directors, to her position now as Administrative Assistant. She is also a graphic designer and graduated from Salve Regina University with a Bachelor's degree in Art with a concentration in Graphic Design. Marissa worked in the jewelry industry designing packaging, displays, and marketing materials for 17 years before she left her full time job to become a mom and work part time for the church. Marissa also serves in the pre-school and on the worship team playing the flute.
Marissa has suffered from Depression, Anxiety, Self Harm, Suicidal Ideations, and PTSD from traumatic events in her childhood for as long as she can remember. She has been continuously working on her healing with the help and support of her loving husband, counselor and many close friends all the while relying on God every step of the way.
In 2022, she completed 6 weeks in a partial hospitalization program to help her through an extremely difficult time in her life. Through her experience in the program, God placed a desire in her heart for poetry. She wrote 25 poems and compiled them into a book along with photography, taken by a friend of hers, that signifies each poem. The book is titled “Abundant Blessings from a Broken Soul” and is available on Amazon.com.
Marissa has testified to others of the goodness of God amidst her trials and struggles and walks by faith knowing God is with her every step of the way.
“For we live by faith, not by sight.”
2 Corinthians 5:7
Find their books on Amazon through the links below: