In August 1975, we began to visit a small Baptist church in Jacksonville, FL. At the time, I was twenty-two years old and searching. I had joined a Baptist church at the age of seventeen to play on the softball team. I filled out a card and was baptized, but no one told me about Jesus Christ. After sitting under the sound of the Gospel for three months and seeing genuine Christianity in the life of the pastor, I knew I had found the answer.

On October 3, 1975, the greatest experience that could ever happen to a person happened to me. I prayed to receive Christ as my Savior and Lord. I came repenting of my sins, desiring to live my life for Him. Because of Jesus, I am not what I used to be. In 1978, I surrendered to full-time Christian service and enrolled in school. Upon graduation from Bible College, I served under Dr. Harold Hudson for eighteen months before going to Calvary Baptist Church in St. Augustine, FL. In 1996, I resigned from Calvary Baptist and began seminary at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, NC. In 1997, I was called as pastor of Green Pines Baptist Church in Knightdale, NC.

Since 1993, I have been involved in ongoing partnership with Ukrainian pastor and church planting in southern Ukraine. I have assisted in establishing a Bible College to help train Bi-vocational pastors. In 2001 to present, I have been involved in multiple short-term mission trips to Southeast Asia. In 2003, I led a prayer retreat in Pakistan for IMB missionaries, and I currently serve as an IMB Trustee. For over thirty-seven years, I have been in full-time Christian service and pastored three churches in the last thirty-nine years. God has blessed each pastorate in many coming to know the Lord Jesus. I have been the Senior Pastor here at Crescent Beach Baptist Church since 2003.

I have been married to my high school sweetheart, Sandy for over 41 years. We have one daughter, Lauren who is married to Billy Terrell. We have been blessed with three grandsons: Christian, Liam and Chase, and two granddaughters: Maeleigh and Madison.

 

I was born in Tampa, Florida, and attended various schools in Florida and Tennessee. After my family returned to Florida, we settled in St. Augustine where I graduated from Saint Augustine High School in 1974. In 1976, I joined the Florida National Guard and served until 1988. In 1980, I met and married the former Kathy Strickland. In 1985, I was lead to the Lord Jesus Christ by Bro. David Beauchamp at Calvary Baptist Church in St. Augustine. Later that year, Bro David baptized me and I began serving in the ministry. In 1991, I surrendered to full-time Christian service, and was ordained at Calvary Baptist Church.

 

I have been a member of Crescent Beach Baptist Church since 2008. In 2010, I began serving as Interim Youth Pastor and currently serving as the Associate Pastor since 2012. I have a strong desire to lead people in biblical knowledge so they can experience the abundant life Jesus promises. Thirty years of believing and teaching God’s Word, and still growing to become what God has called all of us to do. Kathy and I are very proud to have raised three God worshiping young men, Caleb, Luke and Joshua. We have four grandchildren; 3 boys and 1 girl.

 

Favorite Scripture: “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” Galatians 2:20 (KJV)

 

I grew up in southern New Jersey on the beaches of Ocean City, where I accepted Christ and started a love for music. I became active in music ensembles, both in church and school, and attended several youth groups in Ocean City. I attended Philadelphia College of Bible, and in 1989 received my Bachelor of Science in Music Education and Bachelor of Science in Bible. It was here, through the investment of Godly spiritual and musical mentors, I began to grow as a disciple of Jesus Christ and sensed God directing my path into ministry.

 

In 1993, I completed my studies at Temple University with a Masters in Choral Conducting, and shortly after I entered into full-time ministry. I have served churches in California, Pennsylvania, and now Florida for over 20 years. Cheryl and I were married in 1991, and we have four great children; Anna, Colin, Abigail and Cameron. Cheryl and I met singing together in a friend’s wedding. We enjoy spending time together as a family traveling, lunch times out, and lots of music. The non-musical things I like to do are cooking, grilling and fishing.

 

I was born in the state of Indiana but remember growing up in Pennsylvania, right outside of Philadelphia. My dad was a pastor, so my brother and I grew up seeing ministry firsthand from great examples. As I grew, I went to Pioneer Girls, worked in the nursery and sang in the choir, deepening my knowledge of God. Having loved kids all of my life, (you could almost always find me with a baby on my hip) I graduated from Philadelphia College of Bible with an Early Childhood degree. I met Kevin because of a friend’s wedding and I began teaching Kindergarten right after graduation when he and I got married in 1991.

 

It has been almost 25 years since that day, and I cannot believe all we have been through. We lived in California for almost 7 years and then Pittsburgh for 12. After having four fabulous kids along the way, we taught them to sing and now we are privileged to sing as a family. It is one of my sweetest joys!! I also love to take pictures and scrapbook, take the dog for a walk or play a game of volleyball! As Children’s Ministry Director one of my greatest challenges is finding ways to teach God’s truth to kids in engaging and memorable ways. It is an honor and a privilege to serve here at Crescent Beach Baptist Church. Come join us in the children’s area and I know you will be blessed.

 

Favorite Scripture: “Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10

Favorite Bible Verse: “I can do all things through Christ[a] who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13

 

I was born in Lake City, Florida where I attended public schools and graduated from Columbia High School. While attending an EJ Daniels tent revival, I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Saviour at the age of 12. In 1968, I graduated from Patricia Stevens Career College in Tampa, Florida. After working in the public financial sector, I worked 17 years Civil Service with the USDA and the Federal Aviation Administration. While working for the FAA in Palm Coast, I met Charles and we were married in 1994.In 1996, I began working in full-time church ministry areas: Pre-school/Children, Middle School, Singles, Seniors, Music, including 13 years as Executive Administrative Assistant to several Senior Pastors.

 

I have taught various ages of children’s Sunday school classes, and Adult Bible Fellowship. At our former church, my husband and I both lead and facilitated the DivorceCare Ministry for eleven years. DivorceCare is a biblically based ministry directed by Church Initiatives. In 2013, Charles and I both retired and moved from Fredericksburg, VA to St. Augustine. Well I thought I was retired, until the Lord called me back into church ministry as the Ministry Assistant here at Crescent Beach Baptist Church. Alongside my husband, we have traveled many times to the Holy Land leading groups to experience the land where Jesus walked.I have one son, and two adult grandchildren. I enjoy cooking/entertaining, scrapbooking, photography, and fishing.

 

Favorite Scripture. “Serve the LORD with gladness; Come before His presence with singing.” Psalm 100:2