STAFF

As one who did not grow up in a Christian home, I had a lot of catching up to do when Jesus saved me in 1993 when I was 26 years old. I was then privileged to have a mature Christian brother take me under his wing to disciple me in the faith. Originally, I thought everyone was discipled but soon realized that very few have these opportunities. As part of what we do at CBC, I make it my aim to make disciples who will go on to make disciples.

I knew early in my Christian life that God had called me into full-time ministry but I did not know what that would look like. I just wanted to be faithful to whatever God had in front of me to do. Whether that was setting up chairs in our church plant, leading an AWANA group, or working with teenagers, I needed to be faithful. We spent 3 years on staff with Student Venture (the teenage ministry of Cru) and 9 years working with youth at CBC in Beaufort, SC. Never, in my wildest dreams, did I see myself as the lead pastor of a church. Yet, that is where God has me and I continue to make it my aim to be faithful.

My wife Sherry and I have 8 children. Three of our children are married and have blessed us with the joy of 8 grandchildren. We have twin daughters who have been missionaries in Vinnitsa, Ukraine for over 10 years now. Our other children are here in Florida.

Away from CBC, I enjoy salt water fishing and rooting on my teams in Tampa.

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Having grown up in a Christian home, I knew the truth of scripture at an early age but did not come to know Christ as Lord and Savior of my life until I was 22 years old. To get to that point, the Lord brought me on a journey all over the world where I was able to see how good He is and how deep His love is for His children.

As a young boy, I was drawn to any story about good conquering evil, so it was a natural fit that I joined the Delayed Entry Program for the Marine Corps at age 17. I went to boot camp directly out of high school in 2003 and retired as a Sergeant Major in 2025. I would serve in Public Affairs as a combat photographer, as a 1stSgt and a Sergeant Major, with wing, air, and ground units, and as a drill instructor during my time in service. I met Laura at the Daytona beach, and we’ve been married since November 10, 2005. We have 2 children, Lucas and Madelyn. Through deployments, training exercises, and vastly different assignments, our family has been blessed to see God’s sovereignty over our lives at every turn for His glory, and our good.

My passion for discipleship and counseling came partly from experiencing the way God works through those aspects of the church. He commands us to go and make disciples (Matthew 28:19-20) and we see a beautiful picture of the early church in Acts 2:46-47, where people are living out the implications of the gospel. What is described there just looks normal in healthy churches. People who often have little or nothing in common can come together because of the new birth. As our family has moved often over the years, it is within that kind of supernatural community that God’s power has shone the brightest. In a dark world where there is confusion and division everywhere you look, there is nothing like brothers and sisters who love one another because God loved us. “Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another” (I John 4:11).

I’ve been involved in community group and men’s Bible study leadership and worked with different outreach groups while being discipled along the way. I enjoy learning from other Christians and looking for accountability with a desire to remain faithful, receiving formal and informal instruction. I graduated with a BA in Criminal Justice from the University of Maryland, a MA in Executive Leadership from Liberty University, and a MDiv with a Grad Certificate in Biblical Counseling from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.

Our family loves sports and physical activity, reading, and spending time together.

I’ve been a pastor at CBC since 2019 and it has been my deep joy to proclaim the gospel story – God’s reconciliation of all things in Jesus – day after day and week after week.

I’m so grateful to be the son of faithful Christian parents who consistently pointed me to Jesus as a kid. Some of my earliest memories are in church: watching my parents play and sing to the Lord in worship and drinking kool-aid and eating cookies after the service.

As I look back at my teenage years, I can so clearly see God working and stirring in me a love of beauty and truth, often expressed through creative storytelling of artists in the world. They were the poets, songwriters, and pastors who preached to me and stirred my heart with longing for God.

I studied music at Liberty University where I met my amazing wife Sophia singing opera together. We were married in 2012 and moved to Ocala two weeks later. Since that time, our household has grown to include 5 children, 6 chickens, and 2 cats. We are passionate about feasting with friends and have made it a habit to have a home of hospitality.

In 2022, I graduated with a Masters degree from The Robert Webber Institute for Worship Studies and during the week I also teach at Ambleside School downtown, preaching weekly and teaching music.

Together, our family loves to sing, read, and feast together.

“Oh, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together!” Psalm 34:3

ELDERS

When I heard the gospel for the first time, I was 36 years old, married to Pam with three daughters, Morgan, Kelsey and Sydney. Morgan had invited me to church on Palm Sunday to hear her sing in the Children’s Choir. I don’t remember what she sang, but I do remember the sermon from Acts 24:24-27. I was convicted by the gospel message and challenged by the pastor not to procrastinate in responding to Christ’s invitation to follow Him. During a visit from the pastor, I received Christ as my Savior. In May 1997, Pam and I were baptized together in the Beaufort River. A year later our son Stuart was born. I began to grow while attending Community Bible Church, Beaufort, SC, spending nearly a year in a basic discipleship course called The Discovery Class. In these early days as a Christian, I was encouraged to simply read the Bible daily, a habit I continue to practice today. In 1999, God moved our family to Ocala. We found a church where we could raise our family. We soon discovered opportunities we could serve and use the gifts God had given us, but we longed for more. We began meeting regularly with a group of friends to study God’s Word, to encourage and challenge each other and to point our children towards Christ. Eventually our four families, through a series of challenging circumstances, would start CBC with the goal of raising our children on God’s Word and not the world. These words of Colossians 1:28-29 continue to direct, strengthen and sustain us, “We proclaim Him, admonishing every man and teaching ever man with all wisdom, so that we may present every man complete in Christ. For this purpose also I labor, striving according to His power, which mightily works within me.” I am most encouraged and humbled by my family, who love Christ and are each faithfully worshipping and serving at CBC with us, as they raise their own families with the same goals they saw in Pam and me. Our oldest daughter Morgan is married to Caleb. They have four sons, Grayson, Silas, Liam and Wyatt. Our youngest daughter Sydney is married to Branden. They have three children, Barrett, Norah and Lilah. Our son Stuart is married to Mary Beth. They are expecting their first child, a girl, in October. Our daughter Kelsey, without ever having spoken a word, continues to be a big part of my spiritual growth and is with us each Sunday as we worship as a family.

Mike was raised in Clearwater, FL and graduated from Clearwater High School. After graduation he enlisted in the United States Navy where he met his lovely wife, Sherry. After nearly 12 years in the Navy, Mike and Sherry joined the staff of Campus Crusade for Christ and served as Missionaries to high school students with Student Venture. He was asked to join the staff of Community Bible Church in Beaufort where he served as the Director of Student Ministries for 9 years. Mike and Sherry have 8 children; Maria, Christina, Samantha, Hope, Adam, Julia, Ashton, and Hannah. They also have 8 grandchildren; ClaireBell, Ryder, Penelope, Griffin, Eliana, Adelaide, Walker, and Mia. Mike is a graduate of Liberty University, a certified Biblical Counselor with the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors (formerly known as NANC). He is a country coordinator with Biblical Counseling Ministries Worldwide. Mike came to CBC in 2010 to serve as the teaching pastor. Mike has a passion for missions, sharing the Gospel, helping hurting families, and the building up of the Body of Christ

Justin was raised in Ocala, FL, graduated from Vanguard High School, and enlisted in the Marine Corps. After 2 years on active duty, he met and married his wife Laura. They have 2 children, Lucas (13) and Madelyn (4). After 22 years, Justin retired as a Sergeant Major. While on active duty, he served in men’s ministry and community group leadership/ organization in different churches, while attending night classes and pursuing online education. He is a graduate of The University of Maryland (BS), Liberty University (MA), and The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (MDiv) with a Grad Certificate in Biblical Counseling. He is a Level II certified Biblical Counselor with the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors (ACBC). Justin has served on staff at CBC as the Pastor of Soul Care and Discipleship for just over a year. He has a heart for families and is filled with gratitude for the faithfulness of God that has been demonstrated at CBC. He is passionate about the different ministries of the Word within the local church, particularly through discipleship and community groups.

Lee was born in St. Petersburg, FL and moved to Oxford, FL in middle school. He graduated from Wildwood High School in 1995, attended the University of Florida, and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science. During that time, he met his beautiful bride Tammi. They have been happily married for 26 years and now have 3 children: Brianna (married to Jacob), Aubrynn and Nolan and 1 grand-daughter: Alana. Lee has worked at NetSource Technologies since 2000 and serves as the Lead Programmer. Their love for God makes them want to know Him more, proclaim His goodness, care for His people, and glorify Him in all they do.

STAFF

Mike DeGuzman

Justin Park

Josh Head

Rick Lusher

Christina Smith

ELDERS

Mark Norman

Mike DeGuzman

Justin Park

Lee Simpsom

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