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2024 Gathering Speakers:
February 14: -
Pastor Brian Carr, "A Humble Heart"
Rev. Brian A. Carr is originally from the metropolis of Mullens,
West Virginia where he grew up in a loving, faith-filled,
often-laughing family. The best thing that happened in his first
attempt at college was a personal encounter with Jesus Christ which
left him forever altered.
Innocently accepting an invitation to participate in a mission trip
to Mexico, he had no idea that it would completely transform his
life and lead him into serving as a volunteer missionary in Mexico
for three years. After a college career that extended over nine
years including a five-year hiatus, Brian received his B.A. degree
from Marshall University in Spanish.
Meeting Lorena Rodriguez, the love of his life, while serving in
Mexico was certainly the icing on the cake. After a whirlwind
romance which pretty much stunned all who knew him, Brian and Lorena
were married and are now in the thirty-third year of their marriage.
They have three incredible daughters: Lidia, Maia and Sterling and
one amazing son-in-law, Jerome Trine!
Brian has served much of his life in the service of Christ: three
years as a missionary in Mexico, four years as a Youth Director at
St. Luke’s UMC and twenty-four years in Ordained Ministry with the
United Methodist Church after graduating from Asbury Theological
Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky.
Brian has thoroughly enjoyed serving churches at Asbury UMC in
Maitland, The Lighthouse in Coconut Grove, Perrine-Peters UMC in
Perrine, Trinity UMC in DeLand and First UMC in Port St. Lucie.
Brian is completely humbled that GOD chose him, even him, to serve
in this way.
After the huge privilege and blessing of serving on the Board of
Trustees of the Florida United Methodist Children’s Home where he
got an inside view of the tremendous work FUMCH does in
ever-challenging times, he is delighted and honored to serve with
the beloved Florida United Methodist Children’s Home as Director of
Church Relations!
February 21: Chris Kovic, "A Committed Heart"
Chris
Kovic was born in the Cleveland area, and lived in Buffalo until the
age of 7. His family then moved to the sunshine and warmth of the
Fort Lauderdale area, where he grew up enjoying the beach, playing
sports (mostly baseball), and developing and nurturing his love for
music. Chris is a 1982 graduate of the University of Florida and
has been living in Central Florida since 1983.
By God’s love, grace and guidance Chris came to
Asbury UMC in October 2006, where he immediately began serving in
the Celebration Worship Band as a keyboardist / vocalist. He also
met his beautiful wife Kitty shortly thereafter, right here at
Asbury. After serving as Worship Leader at a church in Winter
Garden from 2012 – 2014, Chris and Kitty returned to Asbury, when
Chris accepted the position of Celebration service Worship Leader.
He has joyfully and gratefully served in this position ever since.
Chris counts his life’s greatest blessings as his
faith, his family and friends, and the privilege to serve others
through music. Chris recently retired from his position as a
Contracting Officer with the Department of Defense, serving for 26
years. He continues to play music locally at places like the
Villages and Old Town. Chris and Kitty happily spend lots of time
with their children and grandchildren. They love going to the beach
(in particular, New Smyrna Beach, their favorite). They are huge
fans of the Tampa Bay Rays baseball team, and passionately follow
and support the University of Florida and University of Central
Florida and their athletic programs.
February 28:
Jim Esch, "A Purposeful Heart"
Jim was introduced to Asbury by Gary Zimmerman in
2021. His first day as a parishioner at Asbury was Pastor
Chris' first Sunday, January 10, 2021! You can usually see Jim
sporting his unique and colorful outfits walking to Asbury on Sunday
mornings from his Lake Maitland residence. He enjoys traveling
visiting friends and family, especially his daughter and grandson,
Finn, currently residing in Texas.
He grew up in Ohio and since moving to Florida,
lays claim to never seeing snow this century. He is a baseball
fanatic and loves the Cleveland Gladiators! He often returns "up
north" only during the Summer to see his beloved team try to return
to fame and championships.
Jim enjoys visiting other churches and speaking.
He is a respected speaker throughout Central Florida. Last year, he
presented over 60 messages at numerous and various churches on the
lessons of, for, and by God, Jesus and The Bible. He is a
return presenter at the Lenten Gatherings as in 2022, he spoke about
encountering God through an ordinary object, a coin, and his chance
encounter with his future wife.
This week, as we continue to explore and prepare
our hearts over Lent for Easter, Jim is going to talk about the
"purposeful Heart". What does this mean and how can we create and
maintain such a heart during our encounters with the joys of life.
March 6:
Julie Denmon, "A Heart for Seekers"
Julie has been a member of Asbury since 2014, sings in the Chancel
Choir, serves on the Endowment Committee as Secretary and is the
current church Treasurer.
Julie is looking forward to retiring this year from her corporate
position as the Chief Administrative and Compliance Officer of a
401K, Securities and Life Insurance agency in Palm Beach Gardens,
FL. She is also a member of a local women’s club where she serves
on the Executive Board, has enjoyed a Mary Kay business for the last
36 years and is the Secretary of her homeowners’ association.
Julie has two sons, Steven (who members of Asbury may remember
helped run the audio for the contemporary service) and Robert. The
love of her life is her only grandchild, Jace, age 7.
A few fun facts about Julie: Before starting her career in the
insurance industry, Julie served in the US Air Force where she was
named Alaskan Air Command’s Airman of the Year two consecutive years
and awarded two commendation medals. She has been to all 50 states,
lived in 17 and visited 6 countries. While in Alaksa she earned her
PADI scuba certification in the month of February! She loves to
read, garden and eat out! She says while she can cook, she prefers
someone else do it for her.
March 13:
Cameron Duke, "A Heart of
Extravagant Love"
Cameron is the head
football coach at Edgewater High School. He received the
Florida Dairy Farmers Coach of the Year award and is a strong
Christian. He is very respected and leads team with faith
while exhibiting and instilling Christian values in his young
athletes. Many of his players and their families live in
Eatonville. Under his leadership, Edgewater was the state high
school football runner-up Champion in 2020 (from Lenten Luncheon
bulletin, March 4, 2020).
March 20:
John Berry, "A Glorious Heart"
John and his wife Sharon currently live in Merritt Island where they
attend Georgianna Community Church. They have two grown children
and three grandchildren, Lindsay, (Jeff), with Seth 15, Nolan 12
and Levi 10. Chris (Shayna) lives in Panama City Beach, FL. John
and Sharon are both from the Orlando area and were previously
members or Asbury. John, now retired, served as our church
administrator from 2017 to January 2019.
March 27: Christen Cavanaugh, "A Joyful Heart"
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