Director of Youth Ministries FUMC Orlando

Savannah Rogers is currently the Director of Youth Ministries at First United Methodist Church of Orlando and has been in youth ministry for 8 years. Savannah graduated from Florida Southern College with a BA in Religion and a concentration in Youth Ministry, and is also a YMI alum. She enjoys traveling and trying to keep her plants alive.

High School Sophomore - PK Yonge / Trinity UMC Gainesvill

Morgan Whitaker Smith is an ordained elder in the Florida conference and a Licensed Mental Health Counselor. She currently serves in extension ministry at Peace River Center in Lakeland, FL. Morgan has training in a number of trauma-specific treatment modalities and is a frequent speaker and trainer on mental wellbeing and trauma recovery.

Admission Director at Florida Southern College

Arden brings 15 years of expertise in guiding students through their college journey. An FSC alumna with a Bachelor of Science and MBA, Arden is deeply rooted in the United Methodist Church, with a family legacy of pastors in the FLUMC. Her church memories include active roles in the youth group, choir, missions trips, and camps. Living in Lakeland, FL, with her wife, Sarah, and daughters, Joey (7) and Andy (4), Arden passionately connects her work at FSC with her commitment to the United Methodist Church.

Director of Children's Ministies at FUMC Lakeland

Cristi Moore has been serving in children's ministry for the last 25 years and truly feels this is her lifelong calling. She is currently the Director of Children's Ministries at First United Methodist Church of Lakeland. Mom to 4 children, Ammie to 5 grandchildren, wife to Bill and puppy mom to Baxter, their Goldendoodle, are some of the other title's she enjoys!

Senior Director of Ministry Partnerships: Youth Ministry Institute

Kirsten served 20 years as a youth minister. She served at her last church for ten years and has been with YMI for the past ten years. She has experience working in small and large churches, including on a full-time and part-time basis. In addition, Kirsten has served students and families as a social worker. Kirsten holds a Bachelor\'s of Arts degree from Asbury University in Christian Ministries and is a graduate of YMI.

Director of Children’s Ministry

I have worked for Children’s Ministry for 20 years, past 6 years as Director. Love working with the families and children to watch their relationship with Christ grow and get stronger. One of my favorite part of my job is working with 4th & 5th graders and meeting new families.

Autism Disorders Specialist II

Gesa joined UCF CARD in 2010, but her colorful career spans 4 decades. After completing a degree in Design and Fine Arts from the University of Frankfurt, Germany, she worked as an executive and conceptionist in large international ad agencies for 13 years. While running her own advertising business, she met and married American classical pianist Tzimon Barto, and became his worldwide career manager. Her firstborn, Ori, had a variety of obstacles to manage from birth, amongst them Aspergers Syndrome*. Gesa and Ori worked out an individual “best practice package” that helped him thrive until epilepsy ended his life at age 17. Supporting parents in becoming good and foreseeing mentors for their child on the spectrum is one of Gesa’s main goals. The other is re-implementing the arts to enhance our ability to self-regulate. Gesa is an accomplished artist. Contemporary oil paintings are her “other work”. 

Director of Youth Ministries - FUMC Lakeland, FL

Emily currently serves at First United Methodist Church of Lakeland as the Director of Youth Ministries. She has been a full time Youth Minister for 15 years and is a graduate of Youth Ministry Institute. She has a chocolate lab 2 year old dog named Cubby after the Chicago Cubs (her home town). She loves to laugh and have fun with her ministry peers.

Co-Director: Gator Wesley Foundation, Gainesville, FL

Conference Director of Young People's Ministry

Joel is a Licensed Local Pastor in the Florida Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church. Joel married his best friend Heather in 2001. They have two daughters, Elliot and Norah. Joel grew up in Ocala, FL and graduated from UF in 1999. Joel’s call into full time ministry has taken him through Youth Ministry, Camping Ministry, and now serving alongside college students in Gainesville, FL.

Director of Student Development: Youth Ministry Institute

Brian is a 16+ year youth ministry veteran, host of the Making Sense of Ministry Podcast, and works to see youth and children\'s ministers succeed. He holds a Master of Ministry with a focus on organizational culture, team-based leadership, change, conflict, and peace-making from Warner University. In addition to his degrees from Warner, he studied Christian Education at Asbury Theological Seminary.

Asst. Director of Community Engagement - Gator Wesley Foundation

Tyler is the associate director of community programming at the Gator Wesley Foundation. A role which he lovingly refers to as, “the Gator Wesley fun uncle.” He splits most of his time between leading the freshmen ministry and student volunteer leadership team. Tyler is a Provisional Certified Family Life Educator, meaning he is qualified to educate others in familial systems and life transitions. He earned a B.S. in Family, Youth and Community Sciences from the University of Florida (Go Gators). Currently, he is working towards a master’s degree in Nonprofit Management from UCF (Still, Go Gators). His academic interests include sustainable peer-relationship support and efficient people-management practices, both of which have informed his work in camping and campus ministry. Tyler and his incredible wife, Allison, live in Gainesville with their two dogs, Hattie and Loosey.  

Director of Youth Ministries - Pasadena Community UMC

Have been teaching Confirmation as a volunteer and Youth Director since 2,000. I am also an amazing salsa dancer and often get mistaken for my doppleganger Mike Standifer. 

Anna -Dir of Outreach and Youth @ Palma Ceia Methodist Church

Lauren - Director of Family Ministries @ FUMC Titusville

Anna Sarmiento and Lauren Good are trained Temperament Counselors though the National Christian Counselors Association and are continuing to work on their Master in Pastoral Christian Counseling. Both have their undergrad from from Christian Colleges with their Degrees in Cross-Cultural Studies and Psychology/Youth Ministry.  Both having served in Student Ministry in their communities for 10 years. Anna and Lauren have a heart for those serving in Ministry and their family.

Youth Minister - FUMC Ormond Beach

Hey, I’m Dylan. I am originally from Melbourne FL, but for the last 9 years I’ve done youth ministry in Alabama, Georgia, and South Carolina. My mom, dad, sister, and her fiancé all live in West Melbourne. I also have family in Bradenton and Michigan! This will be my 9th year in full time ministry, I have studied my undergrad at Liberty University, and my master’s degree in theology from Indiana Wesleyan.

I love soccer, I coach locally here in Ormond Beach both for club and high school, love the beach, and some good sushi. I also enjoy spending time with friends and family, fishing, and trivia/game nights at local hangout spots!

Music: Coldplay, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Mumford & Sons, and Sublime are my go-to choices.

Movies: I enjoy Star Wars, 007 Sky Fall , Marvel movies (Spiderman are my favorites), The God Father Part 1 and 2, Batman Begins and Dark Knight Rises.

TV: Current: Stranger Things, Ted Lasso, and Better Call Saul | All Time: Breaking Bad, Narcos, Last Chance U

Student and Family Ministry Director - Grace UMC Venice

 I was born in St. Pete and raised in Lake Wales Florida, a true Florida native! My husband, Troy and I have been married for over 25 years and we have four children, Paul 26,  Riley 23, Sara 21, and Hazel 6. We have lived here in Venice since 1997, coming back after finishing in the Navy.  My family had vacationed here while growing up over in Lake Wales! 
I taught at the Grace United Methodist Preschool from June of 2004, and came on fulltime as Children's Director June of 2014.In January 2017 I took on the role as Student and Family Ministry Director.  I became a member of Grace United Methodist Church in 2013. I love Florida nature and enjoy camping and going to the beach with my family. I love working with children and teaching them.
"Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity." 1 Timothy 4:12

Youth Director - Heritage UMC

Peggy Ingram is the Director of Student Ministries at Heritage United Methodist in Clearwater. She has been in youth ministry for more years than she wants to admit which means she has seen and done a lot.  She has worked with youth groups of all sizes and is passionate about helping others take their next step of faith.

Youth Director - Mandarin UMC

I am a Florida native who got sidetracked in Virginia for 24 years. Although I loved being in the mountains and the change of seasons, I love being back in the land of sunshine and beaches. I am a currently serving a two-campus church in Jacksonville, Fl as the Director of Youth Ministry. Although I have been in the position for a short time, starting year number 5, I have been in youth ministry for 27 years. I love working with Middle-school and High-school students and have truly enjoyed being part of numerous families over the years. Although youth ministry is in my blood, my favorite role has been that of wife (24 years) and mom to 3 amazing teenagers/young adults and 3 fur babies.

Senior Pastor - Grace UMC Venice

I Daryl is a Florida native, and lifelong United Methodist.

He received his Bachelor of Arts in Communication from Florida Gulf Coast University in Fort Myers, and his Master of Divinity from Asbury Theological Seminary in Orlando.

He was Ordained as an Elder in 2012 and has served churches in Ocala and Fruitland Park. He is part of a clergy couple, as his wife Debbie is also an Elder serving as the District Superintendent for the South West District.

Daryl has served within the Florida Conference connection in many capacities. He has chaired the Conference Shade and Freshwater ministry, serves as a member of the Wesley Foundation Board of Directors for the University of Florida, served as Registrar for the North Central District Committee on Ordained Ministry, served with the New Church Development Committee in the North Central District, and served as the District Leader for the Residency in Ministry program for the North Central District.

Daryl and Debbie have three boys; Parker, Wesley, and Davis. This family of five loves to spend time outdoors, with their extended family, and seeking out new adventures.

Daryl’s passion in ministry is to help folks connect with God and feel God’s love in their lives.

High School Sophomore @ PK Yonge HS & Trinity UMC Gainesville

Norah has grown up in the church. She was raised at the Warren Willis Camp for her first 8 years of life and as a member her local churches children's and youth ministries. She is a member of the youth leadership team at Trinity UMC in Gainesville and a delegate to the Florida Annual Conference. When she is not at school or church, she is playing soccer. Norah is a GK for her High School Varsity team, the captain and GK for her Club Team and a member of the ODP Florida State Team. She loves Taylor Swift, her dogs Sammi and Moose and her family (in that order).

Associate Director of Youth Ministries @ FUMC Lakeland

Megan Gallagher has been serving as the Associate Director at First UMC Lakeland for almost 2 years. Prior to serving in Lakeland, Megan was heavily involved in her church back in New Jersey working with both youth and children in many different ministry areas. Megan is also currently enrolled in the Youth Ministry Institute and looks forward to completing the program in January. When Megan is not at church you can often find her at Disney World or watching a hockey game!

Director of Student Ministries and Staff Missions Liaison

Justin has been working with teens for just over 20 years and I still get asked “what is your real job?” by the teens I work with. I love working with teens because they ask some of the most honest questions you will ever hear. I have been blessed with an amazing family that makes life even more joyful.