Tom Bennardo has been a catalyst in church planting for over three decades as a planter, sending church pastor, church planting mentor and coach, and the leader of a church planting network. He currently serves as co-director of the Synergy Church Planting Network and as Director of Pastoral Development for the Fellowship of Evangelical Churches . He holds an M.Div. from Grace Theological Seminary and a doctorate from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School and is a sought-after speaker and seminar leader, as well as a consultant in church leadership and organization. His book, The Honest Guide to Church Planting: What No One Ever Tells You About Planting and Leading a New Church, was released by Zondervan Publishing in August, 2019. Tom and his wife live in San Clemente, California.