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2025 Gathering Speakers:
March 5: -
Pastor Dustin Aagaard, "Hope in God's Promises"
My name is Dustin Aagaard, and I serve as
the Lead Pastor at Journey Christian Church.
My wife, TJ, and I grew up in the same
church and met in middle school. We have three incredible kids,
Riley, Callie Joy, and Darby, and we couldn't be
more grateful and proud of each of them. I am a Floridian through
and through. I love the beach, golf, and cheering on my favorite
teams: The Orlando Magic, the Miami Dolphins, and the Florida
Gators.
When God called our family to Journey in 2017, I
felt Him give me a clear job description. It was to pray and prepare
for revival. I don't take that job lightly, and that's what I've
been doing, praying and preparing for a fresh move of God to take
place in Central Florida. For most of my career, I was a Youth
Pastor and a Family Pastor at several churches. I also worked for an
incredible para-church organization called YoungLife.
In 2003, at the age of 23, I survived a battle
with cancer. That was a wake-up call to not waste my life or my
leadership but to steward well. Ever since then, I have become
passionate about three things: Reaching out to love our neighbors,
Serving the hurting, and Developing leaders for ministry.
I'm loving the Journey!
March 12:
John Berry, "Hope in God's Plans"
He and Sharon are active members of Georgiana Church, while
also spending time attending their 3 grandson's sporting events.
They have two grown children and three grandchildren,
Lindsay, (Jeff), with
Seth 16, Nolan 13 and Levi 11. 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.
They currently live in Merritt Island.
March 19:
John Beachham, "Hope in God's Deliverance"
John Beacham is a dedicated community
servant and faith-driven leader with deep roots in historic
Eatonville, Maitland, Florida. Born and raised in a close-knit,
predominantly Black community of Eatonville, John developed a
profound commitment to service, faith, and education from an early
age. He attended Hungerford Elementary School and has always
considered Maitland his home.
John comes from a lineage of resilience
and hard work. His father, a man of intellect despite only
completing the third grade, left the family farm in search of
opportunity. His journey led him to Winter Park, Florida, where he
met and married Josephine Bellamy in a whirlwind romance that
began on a Friday and resulted in marriage by Sunday. Their story
laid the foundation for John’s unwavering belief in faith,
family, and purpose.
At the age of 10, John accepted God into
his life, a decision that has guided him ever since. His devotion to
faith and service has shaped his life’s work, leading him
to numerous avenues of community
involvement. He has received prestigious honors, including:
• Whitney M. Young Jr. Award – A national
humanitarian recognition from the Boy Scouts of America.
• The Others Award – One of the Salvation Army’s
highest honors, symbolizing a life dedicated to selfless service.
John’s community leadership has been
deeply influenced by his faith. Fifteen years ago, he received a
vision that led him to Asbury Church, where he worked alongside
Pastor Cameron, Michael Luzinski, Pastor Chris,
and Pastor Will. Through his relationship with Asbury and the
Methodist Church, he discovered the inspiring story of George
Washington Carver, whose education was made possible by the
Methodist Church’s commitment to knowledge for all. This journey
reinforced John’s belief in the values of peace and grace—principles
that guide his service today.
Beyond his community work, John is a proud
father and grandfather. He has six children and 11 grandchildren,
many of whom continue his legacy of ministry and service. His family
includes:
• His son, a pastor at Hope Church in Winter
Garden.
• His brother Carl, a minister in Atlanta.
• His brother Kent, an evangelist in
Maitland, Florida.
John also has a distinguished military
background, serving as Sergeant (E-5) during his active and inactive
military tenure. His term of service instilled in him a deep sense
of duty, discipline, and commitment to his country.
A man of faith, family, and community, John
Beacham continues to dedicate his life to serving others,
inspired by the belief that through sharing his story, the right
people—his “angels”—will appear to help fulfill his mission.
March 26:
Jim Esch, "Hope in God's
Provision"
"In Christ Alone (my hope is found)"
Jim grew up in the Cleveland area and
remains a Cleveland fan (more Guardians baseball than Browns
football), yet only visits Cleveland during summer (baseball
season).
His education and career took him from Cleveland
to New Hampshire (Exeter), Pennsylvania (Lehigh), Michigan (UM),
Chicago, Hong Kong, and eventually to Florida in the late 90's (has
not seen snow this century).
Prompted by Gary Zimmerman, Jim's first
Sunday at Asbury was Chris Jones' first Sunday. In the last
several years he has been active in several areas of the church,
including small groups and Men's ministry, Advent and Lenten
devotionals, and enjoys attending any Asbury event.
Preaching is Jim's passion, with 75
messages shared in 2024, including in Dallas, Cleveland, Cincinnati,
Louisville, St. Louis, Harrisburg, Philadelphia, DC -- as well as
locally and around Florida -- including Maundy Thursday at Asbury.
Locally Jim regularly volunteers and speaks
at Coalition for the Homeless, Orlando Union Rescue Mission, Central
Care Mission, Rescue Outreach Mission, Recovery House, United
Against Poverty, Mustard Seed, Christian Service Center / Compassion
Corner, Penitent Thief, One Heart, and Fresh Start.
Jim is a Stephen Minister and encourages
all to provide compassionate care to those in need.
In addition to above, to keep him busy, he owns
and works full time at
BrandComet.com,
a promotional marketing company that supplies a wide variety of
products (anything custom / with a logo).
Jim's wife of 36 years passed suddenly in
2020, yet for family connection visits daughter Susie,
husband Sean, and grandson Finn in Dallas several
times a year, as well as 4 older siblings spread out in the Midwest
about once a year.
April 2:
Julie Opong, "Hope in God's Protection"
Julie was born in Ghana, West Africa. She
has been married to her husband Sam for almost 40 years. They
spent most of their adult lives living and working in New York and
New Jersey. They have two adult children, who live in New York City.
Their son, Stephen, works in finance and their daughter,
Tiffany, is an educator.
Julie obtained her bachelor’s and master’s
degrees from Fordham University in New York and has been working in
the financial sector for over 35 years.
Julie grew up in the church. The Methodist
Church has always been part of her life. She was a parishioner of
the Bound Brook United Methodist church in New Jersey for 15 years.
Julie and her husband joined Asbury United
Methodist Church four years ago when they moved to Florida to plan
for the next phase of their lives.
Julie hopes to be an integral part of the Asbury church
community by being in service to God and the community at large
April 9:
Hannah King, "Hope in God's Healing"
Hannah King grew up in the
Methodist church, even through moves from Virginia to Tennessee to
Delaware and finally to Mississippi, which she considers home. In
2017 she came to Orlando to attend college at UCF, where she
graduated in 2021 with a degree in Film. In her final semester of
school, she got an internship here at Asbury and immediately fell in
love with this church and the community in it. So, instead of moving
out of Florida after graduation like she always planned, she talked
to Pastor Chris about how she could still be involved at Asbury
after her internship. Two months after her time at Asbury officially
came to an end, Hannah came back to become the Director of Technical
Ministry. She has been here ever since and officially joined the
church as a member in 2022. While ministry was not the area Hannah
saw herself working in, she has cherished her time at Asbury and is
so grateful God led her here.
Last July Hannah got
engaged to her amazing fiancée Jocelyn, who you can usually see
sitting with her at the tech table. You might also know that she has
an adorable hedgehog named Tater Tot who has made many appearances
here around Asbury, and a cat named Dash who does a great job living
with said hedgehog.
April 16:
David Vatcher, "God's Hope of
Eternal Life"
Methodist from birth. Father was Anglican.
Mother was Methodist. Three girl siblings.
Married Anne 1971. Two children and four
grandchildren.
Played tenor horn in school band; UK national
schools champions 1962 (aged 14).
Methodist Youth Club Association (14-18),
Methodist Young Adult Assembly Annual Conference — Chairperson in
1970 / 71. 1977-81 trained as UK Methodist Lay Preacher.
Naval shipwright apprentice (age 15). Awarded
naval scholarships in Naval Architecture and Shipbuilding (BS); and
Advanced Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering (MS). On
completion of BS appointed Constructor Lt, Royal Corps of Naval
Constructors.
1974 served 9 months at sea, becoming first ship
designer, submarine qualified. Spent 4 years in ship and submarine
design, 3 years leading ship and submarine structural research and
development, including 5-nation NATO project. 1981 Promoted to
Commander, appointed to British Embassy, DC responsible for Ship
Design / Engineering and Technology Transfer between UK Royal Navy
and US Navy. 1984 US Navy award as an Honorary Engineering Duty
Officer, Submarine Qualified. Naval scholarship to Sloan MBA
Program, London Business School. 1985 promoted Chief Constructor
(Captain), played a key role in privatization of UK naval shipyards.
1988 joined US corporation responsible for marine
marketing in US and Asia, and later defense marketing in Europe and
Asia.
1993 involved in several technology start-ups,
later joining a leading roller coaster company as Chief Technology
Officer and Chief Projects Officer (including projects for Disney
and Universal). From 2008, directed development of special effects
theaters.
Last 2017 "Washington Revelations" for Museum of
the Bible, DC.
Joined Asbury in 2006. Leading Asbury Devotionals
ministry (since 2019), Welcome Friends Class (since 2019), and
Orlando Union Rescue Mission monthly services (since 2021).
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