Joe Bishop is the founder and Director of Respero, a non-profit organization that offers faith-based counseling at no cost.  Joe has been a pastor for 30 years, serving in churches in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, and California. He and his family have been in the Santa Cruz area since 1993. He has a deep-seated conviction that local churches are meant to be genuine healing communities and tangible expressions of the love and grace of Jesus. The ministries of Respero are designed to help people foster authentic relationships and be a catalyst for kingdom living.

Joe has been married to his wife Kathy for 32 years. They have 3 adult children; Ben, Jon, and Abigail. He received his graduate academic training at Grace Theological Seminary and Santa Clara University, and is currently pursuing his PhD. in counseling psychology from Trinity Theological Seminary. He is a member of the American Association of Christian Counselors. He is also an avid reader, hiker, and life-long sports fan who remains hopeful that one day his favorite team (the Chicago Cubs) might actually win.

Reverend Harry Louis Williams, II was born in Brooklyn, New York. He was raised in Asbury Park, N.J. He was a hip hop artist signed to Pow Wow/London Records in the 1980s. Williams was licensed to the Christian ministry under Bishop Dr. Donald, Hilliard, Jr. of Cathedral International, Perth Amboy, N.J. in 1997. He was ordained through the Progressive National Baptist Convention under Reverend Dr. J. Alfred Smith Sr. of the Allen Temple Baptist Church, Oakland, CA in 2002. Williams graduated from Kean University, Union, Jr. with a Bachelor’s Degree in 1996. He majored in Philosophy and Religion. In 2000, He received his Master of Divinity degree from Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary (now Palmer Theological Seminary, Philadelphia, PA). Today, he lives in Oakland, California. He is a social case manager serving the homeless, recent immigrants, the economically ship wrecked, survivors of domestic violence, victims of violent crime, those wrestling with drug abuse and mental illness as well as ex-felons. He also serves as a member of the Allen Temple Baptist Church prison outreach team. Reverend Williams is an author, publisher, a motivational speaker, an evangelist and a lecturer specializing in social justice, and urban issues.

Damon has spent the last three years working for venture funded startups in the East Bay and San Francisco.  He is currently a Senior Engineer at Huddler.com.  Damon has also been on staff at ReIMAGINE, a Bay Area Center for Life Integration based in San Francisco, fueling initiatives
integrating spiritual formation, community building, the arts and social action. Damon has a Masters in Computer Science from Florida State University.  He resides in Oakland with his wife Alice, daughter Alexis and son Dietrich.  In his spare time Damon rides his bike, programs in various Lisp dialects, practices Cantonese, and enjoys his own specially brewed coffee.

Brian has known the Lord since 1979.  He grew up in Oakland and has a heart to help change his hometown through his participation on the Board of Shalom of Oakland.  Currently Brian is CEO of US Cancer Management, a licensed CPA and functions as CFO for Shalom.  He is also an elder and teaching pastor at Creekside Community Church in Alamo.  He has two grown children in college.  His wife, Rhonda, is also involved in Shalom of Oakland with the mentoring program.