Co-Founder of The Great News Network
Shawn McCraney is a religious philosopher, author, teacher, and founder of The Great News Network (TGNN). Known for his fearless exploration of faith, Shawn’s journey has inspired thousands to rethink their relationship with God, free from institutional constraints and fear-based doctrines.
Shawn’s Path to The Great News
Early Journey
Born and raised in Huntington Beach, California, Shawn was deeply rooted in the Mormon faith. He served as a full-time missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and advanced within the church’s ranks. However, his growing disillusionment with the rigidity and control of organized religion set him on a transformative path.
In 1997, Shawn experienced a profound spiritual awakening that reshaped his understanding of faith and salvation. This experience marked the beginning of his departure from institutional religion and his search for authentic spiritual truth.
Breaking New Ground
Shawn’s mission to challenge traditional doctrines and explore faith authentically began to take shape in the early 2000s. Some key milestones include:
- 2006: Launching Heart of the Matter (HOTM), a live call-in show that deconstructs institutional religion and explores the condition of the heart in faith.
- 2013: Teaching scripture in-depth through what was then called C.A.M.P.U.S. Church, later becoming Verse by Verse Teachings.
- Authoring Books: Shawn has written numerous books, including Born-Again Mormon and Revelations on Revelation, which challenge conventional religious perspectives and present fresh insights into scripture.
The Great News
Through decades of rigorous (and publicly available) study, teaching, and personal exploration, Shawn unearthed the transformative principles behind The Great News. These include:
- Subjective Christianity:Â Emphasizing personal, evolving relationships with God.
- Fulfilled Eschatology: Understanding that biblical prophecies, including Christ’s return, have been fulfilled.
- Reconciled Soteriology: Recognizing that salvation from sin is complete and universal through Christ’s finished work.
Shawn’s teachings challenge fear-based religion and institutional control, inviting individuals to embrace freedom, love, and truth in their spiritual journeys.
Learn more about The Great News
Founding The Great News Network
In 2023, Shawn founded The Great News Network as a platform to share these liberating principles with the world. TGNN brings together seven unique channels, each contributing to the mission of helping individuals experience faith in a new and transformative way.
Explore Shawn’s Ongoing Work:
Shawn continues to lead and co-lead TGNN and many of channels, producing content that inspires seekers and believers alike. Whether through live shows, verse-by-verse teachings, or collaborative initiatives, Shawn’s mission remains clear: to equip individuals with tools to embrace and grow through a grounded, direct and unencumbered relationship with God and prioritize love over fear.
Quick Facts About Shawn
- Notable Works: Author of Born-Again Mormon and Revelations on Revelation.
- Media Contributions: Host of Heart of the Matter (HOTM) since 2006.
- Founder of TGNN Channels: Including CULT and Yeshuans.
- Artistic Pursuits:Â A visual artist known for his unique acrylic intaglio pieces.
Shawn’s Relevant Experience
A basic timeline of the major events leading up to the development of Christian Ultra Libertarians for Truth.
Missionary: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
1982 – 1984 · 2 yrs
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, United States · On-site
From 1982 – 1984, Shawn served a 24-month volunteer service where LDS Church members devote themselves to full-time proselytizing and humanitarian assistance or service with the intent to convert individuals to Mormonism. In this short time, Shawn excelled in the calling, rising to levels of leadership among his peers.
Licensing: Calvary Chapel School of Ministry
2004 – 2006 · 2 yrs
Costa Mesa, California, United States
Shawn pursued full-time school of ministry where he and his cohort were personally trained in exegesis and biblical languages by Pastor Chuck Smith.
Founder, Teacher: Alathea Ministries
2006 – 2021 · 15 yrs
Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
Alathea Ministries teaches the biblical gospel of Jesus Christ through media, including but not limited to television, publications, art and events.
Teacher: Verse By verse Teachings (Formerly C.A.m.P.U.S.)
2012 – Present · 13 yrs
Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
C.A.M.P.U.S. stands for Christian Anarchists Meeting Prayerfully To Understand Scripture. Meeting weekly for live-broadcasted teachings, members met weekly to listen to Shawn’s research through each verse of biblical text taught in a verse-by-verse manner. The teachings unpacked linguistic, exegetical and contextual information about the text, and were followed with Q&A discussion.
Writer, Producer, On-Air Host: HEart Of The Matter
2006 – Present · 18 yrs
Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
Heart of the Matter was a weekly hour-long live call-in broadcast comparing and contrasting Mormonism with tenants of biblical Christianity. This show was hosted on full-power television station KTMW (TV20) from 2006-2013, and then across independent channels from 2013-2021.
Author: Bjorn Books
2004 – Present · 20 yrs
Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
Shawn is the author of dozens of publications about organized religion and spirituality. His work is entirely derived from a robust body of research around the manipulation of liberty in modern religion; each work ranges in depth, complexity, and abstractness. Most notable of his publications are Born-Again Mormon, Where Mormonism Meets Biblical Christianity Face to Face: An A to Z Doctrinal Comparative between Mormonism and Biblical Christianity, Knife to a Gun Fight, Don’t F**k With Jesus, and Revelations on Revelation: Footnotes on the Book of Revelation.
Founder: The Great News Network
2023 – Present · 1 yrs
Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
Faith Without Religion: Yeshua lived, died, rose and then returned in 70 A.D. In turn, God reconciled the world to Himself, liberating us forevermore. We call this biblical fulfillment. So, what remains?
The Great News Network offers seeking believers educational supplements to enrich their personal pursuit of faith outside of organized religion. We are a collection of individuals who create free educational resources about God and faith in our age of biblical fulfillment. For forty years, we have been dedicated to uncovering the truth about God, considering all aspects, all while remaining independent of institutional constraints and pressures. What we have discovered is humbling, liberating, and invaluable, especially for those in pursuit of Him.
In a world where traditional theologies are crumbling and institutions are failing, we are committed to offering sincere and dedicated research to seekers of Spiritual knowledge and growth that are thirsting in the desert that is modern religion. Our work delves into the contextual meaning of the Bible and its fulfillment, exploring how this understanding can liberate believers and foster deeply rooted and personal spiritual growth beyond the confines of material religion.
No matter who you are or what you believe, we invite you to join us in the pursuit of Spirit and Truth. We offer thousands of free, self-produced videos, teachings, courses, books, publications, art, and materials, all crafted to enrich your journey.
Shawn’s Featured Interviews and Discussions
Christian Pastor Shawn McCraney Examines His Faith – Anthony Magnabosco
Street Epistemology week continues with Anthony Magnabosco and special guest exMormon Christian pastor Shawn McCraney. After building the foundation of SE with episodes 1-3, in part 4, Shawn is kind enough to play our interlocutor as Anthony questions him about the roots of his religious beliefs. You’ll likely be very surprised with the way this interview progresses as Anthony does his best to display Street Epistemology in the Mormon Stories studio!
Cult FOunder Confronts College Apologists
Shawn is the founder of Christian Ultra Libertarians for Truth. He recently was visited by a group of college students affiliated with the organization Ratio Christi and, alongside local atheists, had an invigorating discussion.
Cult FOunder Confronts College Apologists… Again
Shawn is the founder of Christian Ultra Libertarians for Truth. He recently was visited by a group of college students affiliated with the organization Ratio Christi and, alongside local atheists, had an invigorating discussion.
Shawn McCraney “Born Again Mormon” Pt. 1 of 3 – Mormon Stories Ep. 126
Part 1 of 3 of an Interview with Shawn McCraney “Born Again Mormon”. Produced by John Dehlin. Shawn is Interviewed by John Dehlin and we learn about Shawn McCraney growing up in the LDS church and how he became born again.
Diary of an Iconoclast
An extra-tell-all interview about Shawn and where he comes from.