We are delighted to welcome Rev. Dr. Aaron Shepherd as the 21st called Senior Pastor of The Presbyterian Church in Westfield.

Aaron joins PCW as our historic congregation looks toward its 300th anniversary. A lifelong Presbyterian and member of a family of Presbyterian clergy, Aaron was ordained in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in 2019. He holds a PhD in Philosophy and Religious Studies from Emory University and most recently served for more than six years as Pastor and Head of Staff at Union Congregational Church in Walpole, Massachusetts. He has also taught Philosophy and Religion at the University of Massachusetts Lowell and is the author of Challenging the New Atheism.

Aaron is passionate about meeting people where they are, engaging honestly with questions and doubts, and helping people discover how faith speaks to their lives and to the world around them.

“I am so grateful for the privilege of this vocation, and look forward to all that God will do in our ministry together at PCW.”

Aaron and his wife, Whitney, met through Presbyterian Campus Ministry at the University of Oregon. They now have four children and are excited to become part of the Westfield community.

And there is more to Aaron than his academic and pastoral background. He is a trained classical pianist, coaches his children's soccer and baseball teams, enjoys website design and audio/video editing—and once served as a volunteer shark wrangler!