John was called to the Ministry while serving in the Gulf of Tonkin. He was inspired to organize Bible Study groups for the sailors aboard ship. His Bible study groups grew so fast that became recognized by the Ship's Information Officer and was asked to broadcast the Bible study to more than 5,000 sailors, over the ship's Armed Forces radio station once a week. He became known as the Preacher.

 

When the ship's black population was experiencing racial unrest with some of the white sailors, John's role as a "peacemaker" provided a means of mediation to establish peace between the two groups. John's commanding officer allowed him to do humanitarian and mission work while in the Philippines. This afforded him the opportunity to connect a family from his hometown (who had lost their son during the war in Vietnam) to their relatives in the Philippines.

 

While searching for this family's relatives, John ministered in villages four hundred miles north of where his ship was docked. Among his official assignments was his role as a photojournalist during overseas tours with a number of famous personalities such as, Bob Hope and Billy Graham. His talent as a photographer opened the door�to his career with the Tacoma Police Department.

 

For a quarter of a century, John Wayne Penton, Sr. worked with the Tacoma, Washington Police Department in the Forensic Unit. During his tenure with the Tacoma Police Department the city was raised to national prominence by being the first law enforcement agency to purchase the Automatic Fingerprinting Identification System known as AFIS. Now all major law enforcement agencies including the FBI are using AFIS.

 

John Wayne Penton, Sr. was the first African American to be hired as a Forensic Technician with the Tacoma Police Department. He was involved in the investigation of many of the city's high profile cases.

 

John was selected (among others), by the City Manager to facilitate culture diversity training for all City employees (in the1980's). He was promoted to Forensic Supervisor in 1986 and was voted the most outstanding facilitor in 1994 and 1995, by� members of the Citizens Academy; sponsored by the Tacoma Police Department to address the needs of the citizens of Tacoma.

 

John helped organize a Police Officer's Christian Fellowship, which enhanced better race relationship among officers.

 

Between 1977-1989, while working with the Tacoma Police Department, John volunteered to work the graveyard shift in order to attend Faith Lutheran Seminary of Tacoma where he earned his Masters in Theological Studies.

 

John Currently serves as Executive Director of COGIC Charities, an outreach of the international church that provides financial assistance to those who are suffering as a result of catastrophic events.  The organization also provide scholarships to a selected number of academically capable  students who lack adequate funding to further their education..

 

In the midst of his tight schedule, John is presently enrolled at Northwest Graduate School in Seattle, Washington for completion of his Doctorate of Ministry degree.