The Staff of FUMC Crestview

Ministry Staff

Senior Pastor

Pastor Bruce was born May 9, 1943, in Fulton, Alabama. As a child, he grew up in Mt. Vernon, Alabama. After elementary school in Mount Vernon, he attended and graduated from Citronelle High School in Citronelle, Alabama, in 1961. He is married to his high school sweetheart, Kathryn Lucas of Calvert, Alabama, and they have two sons, six grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

"I became a Christian in 1974 and answered the call of God to preach in 1976. I received my Associate degree in 1979 from Bishop State Junior College in Mobile, Alabama. In the Spring of 1981, I graduated from Asbury College in Wilmore, Kentucky, with a B.A. degree and earned my Master of Divinity from Asbury Seminary in 1984. I have served in the Pastorate of the United Methodist Church since 1976 and was ordained a Deacon in 1985 and an Elder in May of 1987. I was appointed to the First United Methodist Church of Crestview, Florida, in June of 2004."

Associate Pastor

Heath Burchett is the Associate & Youth Pastor here at First United Methodist Church of Crestview. He and his wife, Amanda, came here from Winston-Salem, NC, where they helped with youth ministry and formed and participated in outreach groups to do ministry in the inner city. Heath earned an Associate in Biblical Studies, Bachelor of Theology, and Master of Ministry degrees from Vintage Bible College & Seminary in Winston-Salem. He has been serving in ministry here since 2005????????????. At First United Methodist, he leads and preaches in various worship services and is leading a vibrant, high-energy youth ministry. Heath believes that he was called to ministry here at the most exciting time in the life of our church and expects God to do great things!

Children's Minister

Nell is a true Tallahassee Lassie and is huge Florida State fan. She attended FSU where she met her husband Chad. They have 3 lovely sons, whom they adore. They moved here in 2004 and joined the church shortly there after. God began calling Nell to the children's ministry, and she became our children's minister in February 2005. Nell loves children, and it truly shows when she is doing the children's moment on Sunday morning. She brought our ministry into the 21st century and continues to find areas she can improve her care of our flock.

Contemporary Worship Leader

Paul was born in North Carolina to a Marine Corps father and a British mother at Camp Lejeune. He was raised in the little town of Grand Bay, Alabama. He remembers becoming curios about God as a preteen but never made true commitment to him until the summer after he graduated from high school. He was saved a Blue Lake camp ground; He was also called to the music ministry there.

He worked for almost 15 years as a youth minister at several different Methodist churches. In between those jobs, He held several interesting positions in the secular world. He has worked on a shrimp boat and in fish houses during the summers to pay for college. He has built and remodeled houses and installed satellite systems. He is licensed to drive heavy trucks and can run bulldozers and track hoes. He is a licensed structural insurance adjuster in Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee and Texas. He has also traveled the world extensively from Europe to South America. The farthest he has ever been from home is in the South Pacific speaking to people of Ebeye. He is a graduate of Auburn University with a degree in Communications and has two wonderful sons who live with him. He is now single. He includes all of this because he wants you to know that his one true calling has always been worship music. In all of those things he was singing and playing his guitar. He knows hardly any secular songs to play on the guitar. He loves leading worship at this church and hopes when you come to our 9:12 service, you see a genuine person who has walked in the real world and someone who understands your struggles. Come sing with him a new song before our God.

Music Minister

Kevin was born somewhere in the world. Afterward, he was educated at a former women's college whose name escapes us. He came to work at First UMC some time in the past. That about brings us up to date, I think.

Administrative Director of the WCCC

In her own words:

"I believe all children deserve love and respect unconditionally! Originally from Allentown, Pennsylvania, I moved to Fort Walton Beach in 1976 when I married my childhood sweetheart. We have been blessed with one daughter, one son, a grandson and another grandson due in May 2008. They are the light of our lives and we cherish each moment we can spend with them. I began my Early Childhood profession as a substitute teacher in 1991 and accepted a position as a full-time Early Childhood teacher in 1992. After working as a teacher and Asst. Director at Chautauqua Child Care Center for eight years and receiving my National CDA Credential in 1995, I felt qualified to accept a position at Our Lady of Victory Preschool as Director in August, 1999. After the closure of OLV Preschool, in May of 2005, I joined the Even Start Program at OWC. I continued my education in Early Childhood and graduated in May 2006, with highest honors, receiving my A.S. Degree in Early Childhood Education. In March 2006, an opportunity to become the Director of Wesleyan Child Care Center became available and I eagerly applied for the position. I know the honest love and commitment to provide children of all ages, a loving and caring Christian environment to learn and grow, has given me the drive and determination of knowing this is where I need to be."

Office Staff

Secretary

Diane was born in the North but has lived in Florida for most of her life and considers it her home. She was raised Methodist but tried other denominations and returned to being a Methodist. She had the saving experience of accepting Jesus as her Savior when she was 28 years old. She's married with a blended family of five grown children and eight grandchildren. She joined this church in March of 2001 after her family moved to Crestview, and she loves it here! She's been blessed to be on this staff of wonderful people as church secretary since 2006.

Financial Secretary

Joyce is a born-again child of the King. She is married to Dave. She has three children, five grandchildren, and one great-grandson. Her family has lived in Crestview about 14 years and she has loved working at First United Methodist Church since ??????. She was born in Wheeling, WVa., "several" years ago. She lived in Ohio and Miami growing up. She graduated from Miami Edison High School and attended Business College in Steubenville, Ohio.

Church Administrator

Delynn was born in 1960 at Keesler AFB in Biloxi, Mississippi. After traveling around the world with her Air Force family, she graduated from Northside High School in Warner Robins, Ga. She and her husband Darryl have four children and two grandchildren. They moved to Crestview in 1998, and God directed them to First United Methodist Church in May 2005. Shortly thereafter, she joined the Ministry Team here as Church Administrator. She is grateful to be serving our Lord here.

Facilities Staff

Housekeeper

Teresa Gardner was born in Valpariaso, Florida, in January 1958. She was raised in a military family, but unlike most, her father served most of his 26 years before she was born, which enabled her to go from second grade through college in Fort Walton beach. She was raised in Trinity UMC and was saved at the age of 13. She is still in contact with her 3rd grade Sunday school teacher. After she and her husband, Pat, were married, they made their home in Navarre and joined Navarre UMC. They have 3 beautiful children: Morgan ,26; Chelsea, 19; and Patrick ,17. Teresa is a hands-on mom and has always been involved in her children's lives. She is an integral part of our staff on several other levels. She loves to do set up for dinner shows, VBS, Relay for Life and is active in multiple other areas of ministry in our church. Teresa is a youth coordinator. She has worked with youth since 1977, and she is looking forward to her new position as Family Ministries Coordinator. She is very content being the "Lord's housekeeper".

Custodian

Dale was born in 1963 in Mobile, Alabama, graduated high school in Fairhope, Alabama, and joined the USAF right out of high school. Dale was an aircraft armament systems specialist, and he retired in 2002. Dale is the father of two children and married to Ketnika. He started working for us in August 2007 and has been a welcome addition to our staff.

---