// Our Founders

// Our Mission // Our Founders // Staff

The core management team known as the Executive Board of Hepzibah Word and Worship, Inc. includes several gifted and talented individuals with successful backgrounds in the Ministry and Music industries. The three co-founders of this ministry and their husbands bring particular gifts and graces to the work of this ministry and are as follows:

Gayle Thornberry

Gayle Thornberry, is President of the corporation. Her experience as a Pastor of Grace United Methodist Church in Abilene, Texas resulted in that church’s recognition of becoming one of the fastest growing congregations in the Northwest Texas United Methodist Conference in 2003.

Gayle is the recipient of the prestigious Denman Award of Evangelism for Clergy of the United Methodist Church. Currently, she is the Pastor of Crimora United Methodist Church, serving in the Harrisonburg District of the Virginia Conference. She is serving as President of the Associate Members and Local Pastor’s Fellowship of Virginia Annual Conference. She serves as the Spiritual Formation Director and is the District Chaplain of the Harrisonburg District in the Virginia Conference. She serves on several conference committees and is on the Shenandoah Valley Emmaus Community Board of Directors. Prior to entering the ministry, Gayle’s business management skills were developed through years of experience in various positions in both the medical and insurance fields. She graduated from McMurry University in Abilene, Texas Summa Cum Laude, with a BS in Education and from Duke Divinity School’s COS program for the United Methodist Church for licensing as a Full Time Local Pastor.

Gayle is married to Wesley Thornberry who is in the full time pastorate where they live in Weyers Cave, VA. They have four grown children and seven incredibly precious grandchildren. Gayle is an extremely gifted Speaker and Retreat Leader. Her many speaking engagements have carried her into multiple states, multiple denominations and multiple ministry settings. Her humor is contagious while her ability to speak truth in a way that “the hard stuff” is received and learned is easily evident. It has been said by others that she is a “powerful, gifted and moving” teacher.

Sheila Lloyd

Sheila Lloyd, Vice President of Production, has been singing since the ripe old age of two.

In answer to a personal prayer, she began writing original piano and vocal pieces in 2002; and since that time the Lord has continued to open doors of ministry for Sheila to use her gifts. She is often asked to do worship as well as solo music for retreats, church worship services, weddings, funerals and other events. In May of 2005, God provided the opportunity to begin recording a CD which she finished in December of 2005. It is entitled Healing River and contains 11 original songs and an a-cappella version of “Amazing Grace.”

Sheila’s second album, Standing Firm, was released in early Spring 2007. It is comprised of entirely original songs as well (one written by her best friend) and includes more orchestration. The Lord continues to give her new music, so she does ongoing work in the studio.

Moving to the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia from Western Pennsylvania in 1996, Sheila lives in Quicksburg, VA with her husband Brian and two sons; Colton, and Garrett. The family attends church in Mt. Jackson, VA where Brian and Sheila work together to lead and develop an ever expanding worship team and ministry. Sheila graduated from Bethel College in St. Paul Minnesota with a BA in Speech Communications.

Shawna Hiner

Shawna Hiner, Vice President of Operations, is author to a number of children’s books that promote Christian values. Many say Shawna is “on fire for the Lord,” as her excitement and passion for God is contagious and is always an encouragement to others around her. “Faith Sharing” is Shawna’s passion since she has such a deep compassion for the spiritual welfare of others. She enjoys sharing with others how good our God is and how He takes us just as we are. She is a tremendous prayer warrior, motivating and leading others to believe in the power of prayer. The same power that has seen her through difficult times, been present with her through times of great joy and reveals Himself through the treasure box of God’s Word, is the constant in her life.

Shawna graduated from Blue Ridge Community College, Magna Cum Laude with an Associate degree in Applied Science. Her major field of focus is Computer Information Systems. She is the full-time Administrative Assistant at Verona United Methodist Church, where she has been a member since birth! Shawna serves with the United Methodist Women and has completed a 34 week Disciple Bible Study and a 30 week Jesus in the Gospels Study. She is a Certified Lay Speaker and has spoken at several women’s events; a District Tent Revival; her own church and she gives the message at a worship service for her church’s youth group each month. Shawna has led Women’s Bible Studies in her home and church.

Shawna lives with her daughter Anita Faith, who does the art work for her children’s books.