Dr. Tom Pennington

About Dr. Pennington

Dr. Pennington joined the faculty at Corban University in the summer of 2025 as Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice, bringing with him a unique blend of pastoral ministry, military police service, and law enforcement experience. In addition to his role at Corban, Dr. Pennington serves a Lead Pastor at Grace Bible Fellowship beginning in 2016, following nine years as a Portland Police Officer. He is also a veteran of the United States Navy, where he met his wife, Tami. They have three children, two of whom are finishing school.

After completing his service in the Navy in 2004, Dr. Pennington pursued theological studies at Multnomah University, earning a B.A. in Biblical and Theological Studies with a minor in New Testament Greek. He went on to earn a Master of Arts in Theological Studies from Western Seminary. In 2019, he began doctoral work at The Master’s Seminary, earning a Doctor of Ministry degree in 2024. His dissertation was an examination of the Pauline corpus on church unity, demonstrating that church unity is not merely a byproduct of worship, but also a means of worship.

Dr. Pennington’s professional and academic journey reflects a deep commitment to Christian discipleship, biblical literacy, and global missions. His ministry and travel have taken him to more than a dozen countries, where he has experienced the richness of worshiping with believers across many different cultures. These experiences have reinforced his conviction that the gospel unites diverse communities and calls believers to both faithfulness and active witness.