Community Presbyterian Church has a knowledgable and dedicated leadership team made up of our staff and a hardworking volunteer base. We are blessed to have such a diverse group of believers working tirelessly each week to ensure that our Beaches community is thriving in faith. We encourage you to get more involved!
PastorRusty@cpcab.org
Pastor
First and foremost, I am blessed to be loved by God and to be able to serve in parish ministry in the Christian Church. Over the past many years, I have served in a variety of capacities in churches in Georgia, Tennessee, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Florida.
It is wonderful to now call Florida home and to be able to minister alongside so many wonderful people in the Community Presbyterian Church family of faith.
Prior to parish ministry I served in the United States Navy, earned a B.A in Philosophy and a B.A. in Psychology from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. After college I attended Columbia Theological Seminary and earned a master’s degree in divinity.
In addition to service in the church and to God, I enjoy lots of the great things that God has provided to keep life interesting, including: playing music, writing, rock-crawling and boating, classic and adventure movies, science fiction, hanging out with dogs, exploring and debating theology and philosophy, being on the beach/ICW, fishing/shrimping, landscaping, the theater, sports, meeting new friends and spending time with long time ones, and enjoying and growing deeper in love and care with my family.
Minister of Community Life
Meet Robert. Robert is an ordained minister and has been in youth ministry for almost 25 years! He is on the National Response Team for Presbyterian Disaster Assistance and has led Community Presbyterian’s mission teams who respond to disasters all over the south east. As the leader on Community Presbyterian’s Living Water team, the church has served in El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Puerto Rico, and The Dominican Republic. Besides serving in his ministry his passions are his family and surfing (been surfing for 50 years). Robert is married to Trish, and they have two sons, Andrew and Brian, as well as six grandchildren.
Meet Melissa. Melissa Daniel is the Director of Christian Educator at Community Presbyterian Church. Since taking this position, Melissa has maintained and grown popular programs such as 1st and 3rd Wednesday night dinner, VBS, Sunday School, Advent and Lent events, Women’s Retreat, and Church Retreat. She has also led (or participated in) adding new programs such as Christmas VBS, Spiritual Care Ministry, and monthly meetings with other area Christian educators to support one another and share ideas. Prior to working at Community Presbyterian, Melissa was a stay-at-home mom, as well as an engineer (she holds both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in engineering). In her spare time, Melissa enjoys spending time with her three girls – Mia, Chloe and Alex – and husband Brian. She also likes to run, read, and advocate for children through her involvement in PTA.
Session Members
Moderator:
Pastor Rusty Benton
Stated Clerk:
Lisa Herrold
Class of 2024
- Ek Cottrell
- Kelly Craddock
- Bruce Floyd
- Heather Kopp
- Paula Renfro
- Jim Simmons
- Glenn Yeakel
Class of 2025
- Sherill Brown
- Jenn Burchfield
- David Herrold
- Marsha Kreuz
- Maria Luckey
- David Matchett
Class of 2026
Mike Davis
Ross Dicken
Jay Faulkner
David Matchett
Jerry Redfield
Barbara Ruby
Deacons
Class of 2024
Leah Davis
Vonnie Friers
Toni Gindlesperger
Trish McCrary
Class of 2025
- Claire Bartolett
- Janet Martin
- Jacqui Matchett
Annie Meierdierks
Courtney Simmons
Celest Wadkins
Class of 2026
Bob Burch
Laura Hyde
Nancy Bell Ruppert
Laurie Whitacre
Trustees
Class of 2024
Jan Shields
Tracy Synan
Class of 2025
Jim Gann
Beech Watson
Class of 2026
- Cindy Anderson
- Brain Daniel
Property
Manages campus including maintenance, repairs, and improvements.
Chair:
Bruce Floyd
- Bob Burch
- Mike Davis
- Tony Gindlesperger
- David Lambert
- David Hoppens
- Brian Kilby
- Frank Tappin
- David Herrold
Finance
Manages all budgeting and church finances.
Chair:
David Matchett
- EK Cottrell
- Jenn Burchfield
- Jay Faulkner
Ray Fischer
Brian Daniel
David Hoppens
Tim Stalter - Ross Dicken
Jim Gann
Mission
Oversees and coordinates church mission work.
Co-Chair:
Jim Simmons
Sherrill Brown
- Melinda Goins
- Heather Kopp
- Emma Cottrell
- Eric Wild
- Glenn Yeakel
Congregational Life
Coordination with the Deacons for all church events, such as funerals, church dinners, and other activities (subcommittee of the Deacons).
- Lisa Herrold
- Beth Cottrell
- Emma Cottrell
- Marsha Kreuz
Worship and Music
Chair:
Maria Luckey
- Carol Brennan
- Claire Brennan
- Kelly Craddock
- Dave Kerchner
- Bunny Kerchner
- Phyllis Haeseler
- Pati McMenemy
- Vonnie Friers
- Naci Faulkner
- Jerry Redfield
Christian Education
Chair:
Marsh Kreuz
- Beth Cottrell
- Emma Cottrell
- Lisa Herrold
- Liz Hullender
- Traci Kilby
- Barbara Ruby
- Marcella Yonkosky
Memorial Garden Committee
Co-Chair:
Nancy Faulkner & Hank Isaacs
- Toni Gindlesperger
- Phyllis Haeseler
Personnel Committee
C0-Chair:
EK Cottrell & Paula Renfro
Kelly Craddock