Mary Shaw has been our Presbyterian pastor since 2016. She received her Certificate in Ministry from the Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary in November 2016. In March 2019, Mary was recognized by the Presbytery of Arkansas as our Commissioned Ruling Elder during a ceremony held at the University of the Ozarks, Clarksville, AR. A former Director of Christian Education, Mary has 20 years of experience in both Children's and Youth Ministry.

Her desire is to be authentic when sharing the love of God with the church community and everyone she meets. In her spare time, Mary loves to garden, read and spend time with her three children and five grandchildren.

Rev. Jerome Grotts (pronounced Jeremy Graw-tz) is a native of Benton County, particularly the Pea Ridge and Garfield areas. He received his license to ministry from the Kentucky Annual Conference in 2020 and was appointed that year to serve at Pea Ridge United Methodist Church, the church that his family was a member of. Rev Grotts served Pea Ridge until February 2023, when he moved for a brief time due to his secular employment as a school administrator. He holds Master of Arts and Master of Educational Leadership degrees from Harding University, and he continues his studies in the ministry through Arkansas Conference’s Course of Study School. An educator with the Rogers School District, Rev Grotts is married to Vickie, who is an accountant, and they are parents to four children and have eight grandchildren.

Rev. Grotts’ interests include travel, trying new food, and volunteering. He serves as Group Commander of Civil Air Patrol (US Air Force Auxiliary) and as a trustee for the Pea Ridge Cemetery. He, Vickie, and their youngest (Dexter) reside in the Pea Ridge area.

Pastor Jack Bedford was ordained to the gospel ministry while attending Hardin Simmons University in Abilene, TX. He also attended the Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary Extension Department while pastoring in San Angelo, TX.

Since moving to the Natural State in 1971, Pastor Jack has served several churches in Northwest Arkansas, including University Baptist Church (Singles Pastor) in Fayetteville, Pleasant Hill Baptist Church in Rogers, and Rocky Branch Baptist Church at Beaver Lake, where he serves as Pastor Emeritus.

“Vicki, and I have known about the ‘unique’ and beloved Elkins Community Church since the early 1970’s; and I consider it a blessing and privilege to be one of their pastors. I have an appreciation and love for the other two pastors with whom I share the ministry. We work together to lead this church and share a love for this congregation and community.”