David Sheppard met The Navigators while working for a software development company and first joined staff as an IT project manager in 2012. He then went on to lead our Business Systems team, then served as chief information officer and vice president of Technology Services for four years before becoming vice president of Ministry Operations in the fall of 2025.
Prior to his career in IT, David served as an associate pastor in Texas and in his home state of California. During his years in pastoral ministry, he earned an undergraduate degree in Christian Leadership and Theology from Jessup University, then completed a master’s degree in Apologetics from Biola University. This time of focused study on apologetics deeply affected David’s biblical worldview and strengthened his conviction to always be prepared to give a reason for the hope we have as followers of Jesus (see 1 Peter 3:15). That grounding in faith and reason continues to influence how he approaches leadership and problem-solving in the technology field.
David always comes back to disciplemaking as the heart of everything we do as Navigators — from building tools and systems that support the ministry to investing in the spiritual and personal growth of those he leads.
David lives in Parker, Colorado, with his wife, Tiffany. Together, they have four adult children and two young granddaughters. David and Tiffany are enjoying this season of life and are especially thankful for the gift of meaningful time with their grandkids.