Church Leadership
Elders: Donna Braunstein and Walt Van Beers
The Christian Education ministry of Burnt Store Presbyterian Church is dedicated to providing opportunities for the spiritual growth of our congregation and the wider community through a variety of programs for adults and children. The programs include:
- Faithworks is an Adult Sunday School between our services.
- Holy Conversations offers a casual discussion gathering for adults on Sunday.
- Men’s Bible Study is a Wednesday morning study led by Pastor Jaco on various topics.
- Women’s Bible Study gathers on Tuesdays to explore studies from both the Old and New Testaments.
- Life Groups are small gatherings of 8 to 10 people on various days and places.
- Presbyterian Women offers Bible study, enrichment programs and fellowship. Go to
- Children’s Church a Sunday school type program for older (ages 5 – 12) during the second service.
- BSPC Kidz is the church’s program for children and youth. It includes two groups: TruthSeekers (ages 5–12) and God’s Creation (ages 12–16).
- Nursery provides care for infants and small children (up to age 4) during both Sunday services.
- Membership Matters is a class for those considering membership at Burnt Store Presbyterian Church. Go to the MEMBERSHIP page for further information.
For further information go to the FAMILY page. The Christian Education ministry meets on the second Tuesday of the month at 1:00 PM in room 3-5. For more information or to get involved, contact the Christian Education ministry.
Elders: Lois Gorman and Brian Craig
The Congregational Care ministry is dedicated to addressing the needs of the congregation through a variety of supportive services and activities. This ministry is committed to fostering a caring and connected church community by focusing on several key areas.
Areas of Service
- Food, Fellowship, and Faith Dinners – Organizing and hosting communal meals to strengthen relationships within the congregation.
- Holy Grounds Café – Providing a welcoming space for members to gather and connect over refreshments between services.
- Memorial Service Receptions – Offering support and hospitality to families and friends during times of loss.
- Kitchen/Pantry Oversight – Managing the resources and operations of the church kitchen and pantry.
- Health Related Activities – Coordinating programs and events that promote the well-being of the congregation such as training and maintaining AED devices.
- Bloodmobile – Facilitating opportunities for blood donations within the congregation.
- Diaconate – Supporting the spiritual and practical needs of church members.
- Flying Solo – Providing opportunities and support for those who are single within the congregation.
The committee meets on the first Tuesday of each month at 12:00 PM in Stewart Hall. For more information or to get involved, please contact the Congregational Care Ministry.
Elders: Marty Owen and Charmaine Ponkratz
The Finance and Stewardship Ministry is co-chaired by two ruling elders and staffed by volunteer church members who bring a broad range of financial and management experience, alongside the Property Ministry elders. This diverse team meets monthly to review financial reports prepared and presented by the church Financial Administrator. Reports include monthly and year-to-date income statement, balance sheet, and ministry budgets. The Ministry is responsible for monitoring cash flow needs, managing balance sheet assets and investments, and preparing the annual budget for approval by the Session and subsequent presentation to the congregation. In addition, the Ministry oversees finance procedures and policies to maintain transparency and accountability.
The Finance and Stewardship Committee is responsible for developing and implementing the annual stewardship campaign. The committee reports pledge results to both the Session and the congregation, fostering an environment of financial commitment and participation. Additionally, the committee is responsible for ongoing programs designed to cultivate a “culture of generosity.” These programs encourage church members to contribute their time, talents, treasures, testimonies, and ties, supporting the church’s mission and community.
The Finance and Stewardship Committee meets on the first Tuesday of each month, following the first Sunday, at 5:15 PM. For more information or to get involved, please contact the Finance and Stewardship Ministry.
Elders: Kathy Tardy and Lenny Bredthauerr
The Missions and Community Engagement Ministry answers God’s call by actively serving communities at the local, national, and international levels. The ministry’s commitment is demonstrated through the provision of financial support, food, essential items, and dedicated volunteer time. Major initiatives include supporting a food pantry that serves over 600 families each week, volunteering at a group boys foster home, delivering meals to students for weekends, building houses in partnership with Habitat for Humanity, and collaborating with a range of national and international mission partners. For more information on our partners go to the MISSIONS with links to our partners.
Welcoming and Outreach – In addition to community service, the ministry reaches out to visitors, neighbors, and the broader community, inviting everyone to become part of Burnt Store Presbyterian Church. This welcoming spirit is reflected in several initiatives:
- First Time Visitors /Welcome Bags/Narthex Carousel – Volunteers personally greet newcomers, provide them with welcome bags, and gather their contact information from the carousel. The carousel is maintained to promote church events and encourage volunteerism.
- Promotion & Advertising – The ministry issues press releases, partners with the Chamber of Commerce for promotional efforts, and invests in paid advertising to highlight special events.
- Community Engagement – The ministry participates in and hosts events such as Winter Fest, collaborates with YMCA and CCF, and organizes a concert series to strengthen community bonds.
Website & Social Media Outreach – The ministry ensures that the church’s website and social media platforms accurately represent its mission and goals to both members and the wider community.
Mission and Community Engagement Ministry meetings are held on the second Monday of every month at 10:00 AM in room 4. For additional information or to get involved, please contact the Mission & Community Engagement Ministry.
Elders: Kathy Brown-Mayes and Don Schaible
The Property ministry is tasked with the ongoing maintenance and general upkeep of the facility, including everything inside as well as the surrounding grounds. This responsibility ensures that all areas of the church are properly cared for and remain in good condition. In addition to maintenance, the ministry also manages the use of the property by outside agencies. This involves coordinating events such as weddings, YMCA activities, Florida Philharmonic usage, and homeowners’ association meetings, ensuring that the facility is available and appropriately prepared for these occasions.
The ministry manages and oversees a significant budget. This budget covers not only routine maintenance expenses but also the purchase of necessary supplies to support the church’s needs. The main objective is to use these funds wisely and efficiently, ensuring that the facility is well-maintained and continues to meet the expectations of its members and the community.
Regular meetings of the Property ministry are held on the first Thursday of each month at 6:30 PM in room 3/5. For more information or to get involved, please contact the Property ministry.
Elders: Kathy Darrell and Kathy Bertani
The Worship Ministry works collaboratively with Pastors and Music Directors to plan meaningful worship experiences throughout the year, guided by the Liturgical calendar. The sacrament of the Lord’s Supper is celebrated monthly at both services on the first Sunday, as well as on select holy days.
We offer two Sunday services, each designed to provide a unique worship experience for our congregation. The first service begins at 8:30 AM and features traditional music, including a choir accompanied by organ and piano. The second service starts at 10:30 AM and offers contemporary music led by a praise band, with a more relaxed atmosphere to encourage participation.
Each week, the Worship Ministry ensures the sanctuary is properly prepared for worship. Responsibilities include managing flowers and decorations for the worship service, organizing ushers and greeters, and coordinating special arrangements for major celebrations such as Christmas and Easter. Through these efforts, we strive to foster active congregational involvement in worship and inspire lives that reflect the Gospel message within our wider community.
If you are interested in joining our ministry, we meet on the second Monday of each month at 1:00 PM. Additional meetings are scheduled as needed. For more information or to get involved, please contact the Worship Ministry.
