Jessica Shine jumped at her first chance to be a head pastor when she took the job at the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Tracy.

Shine, 30, moved to Tracy a month ago from Angwin, a small town in the foothills of Napa Valley. Shine, who has been a pastor for eight years, hopes to inspire spirituality and continue the tradition of leading community members to be at peace with themselves through God.

Her inspiration to become a part of church life stemmed from a mission trip to an orphanage in Panama during her high school years. The trip was the foundation for the work she pursues today.

She has also traveled to Macchu Picchu, the Dominican Republic, Pike’s Peak, the United Kingdom, India and Hawaii.

Shine enjoys snowboarding, surfing, the outdoors, animals, writing, reading, and being with family.

She receives inspiration for her sermons through various art forms such as music and film. Shine believes pop culture references are a creative way to effectively convey her message.

She was most recently an associate pastor at Pacific Union College Ministry, where she received her degree in theology in 2001. She is an ordained/commissioned pastor, which is the highest credential that a church pastor can receive. Shine is also completing a chaplaincy accreditation from the University of California Medical School, Davis.

When she graduated from Pacific Union College, she was invited for her first opportunity to be an associate pastor for the Chico chapter of the church. This pastorship led Shine to Andrews University in Berrien Springs, Mich., where she received a master’s degree in divinity in 2005.

She looks forward to her future in Tracy.

“I want our church to become friend-raisers and develop a mutual respect for people,” Shine said of the church at 2025 Holly Drive.