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Anthony & Brittany Shepherd are worship leaders whose passion is to worship God and to lead others into the throne room of Heaven. Worshiper, psalmist, songwriter, recording artist and producer, Anthony has released three worship projects. He is also the Worship Leader for the "God Belongs In My City" national movement. For several years they have traveled the United States leading worship and releasing the sound God has put in them. He believes that "the higher you go in praise, you must go even deeper in worship." Anthony and his wife, Brittany, have three children; two boys and a girl. Anthony & Brittany have served as Worship Pastors at Church In The Son since fall of 2012.
“Ministry is all about loving God and people as we influence the world we live in”
The Taylor Family began with Church In The Son as Charter Members Palm Sunday 1990, and have always served in various ways throughout the church’s history.
David is blessed with five lovely ladies in his life: Dawn; his beautiful wife, and their four daughters; Angel, Melissa, Christyn, and Katelyn. They have a great son-in-law, Eric, and two beautiful grandchildren, Evan and Ellie. They have lived in the Orlando area since 1972.
David grew up as an athlete playing sports: baseball, basketball, football, golf, tennis, and track. He and Dawn still enjoy playing golf and skiing together with family and friends. He loves music, sports, learning, reading, writing, and mentoring others.
In the beginning years at Church In The Son David served on the Praise & Worship Team. In May, 1992 he transitioned from the business world into full-time ministry as the Church Administrator. He served as the Owner’s Representative of Construction of Phase 1 and Phase 2 during the design and construction of our worship campus, and became Executive Pastor in 1998. Presently, he serves as Associate Pastor, Corporate Secretary-Treasurer, and on the Advisory Council.
Pastor Chris Dearth has been working with children since 1994 where he first served as Children’s Pastor in the Columbus, Ohio area. He and his wife, Debby and their three children, moved to Orlando in 2002 where they immediately became involved with the children’s ministry at Church In The Son. In August of 2004 Chris and Debby accepted the position of Children’s Pastor. It is not uncommon to hear children visiting GAK tell their parents they just “have” to come back to GAK!
Chris is a child magnet! The kids love him and are very comfortable with him. He believes in loving and ministering to each child as an individual. “Love the child, not the crowd” is one of his favorite quotes. He not only ministers to each child, but their entire family as well. When the pre-school children come in to GAK they already know Pastor Chris!
Even more than rooting for his favorite team, the Ohio State Buckeyes, looking for a good fishing hole, or teaching his dog, Zelda, some new tricks, Chris most loves spending time with Debby and their son, Jonah, daughters, Hannah and Sarah, and son-in-law Dan. He and Debby are the proud grandparents of one grandson, Owen Daniel.
Jeff began attending Church in the Son over 15 years ago. He started serving in the Early Childhood Department, and over time became more involved in other ministries. In 2002, Jeff attended the first God Encounter for men; his life was changed, and his walk with God deepened. His men’s group, “Band of Brothers,” has been meeting on Monday nights for ten years. Jeff serves as the Men’s Encounter team leader and oversees the City Groups.
Recently, Jeff has been overseeing the Vision Department at Church In The Son. He loves helping and serving with various ministries and outreaches as they affect our city and world for Jesus. He is always looking for ways to help others fulfill the call that God has on their life.
Jeff is married to his wonderful wife, Tracy, and has two sons and two daughters. Jeff and Tracy have been involved in small group ministry for over 12 years. He enjoys spending time with his family, the outdoors, photography, and tinkering on cars.
Tony Wilkins was born and raised in Latin America to American missionaries who continue to live in Brazil. Tony met his wife, Maira, in Brazil after he graduated from Bible College. They became the Youth Directors at Comunidade Crista de Curitiba Church and then married in 1989. While in Curitaba, Tony was involved in the music ministry and taught at the Rhema Bible Institute. They also launched a church in Santa Felicidade in 1995 where they pastored for over eight years. They simultaneously started a second church in Ponta Grossa City. In 2000 Tony and Maira’s vision and ministry continued in Bogota, Colombia where the churches experienced great growth and zeal for winning the lost. In 2004 the Wilkins Family came to Miami, Florida to help establish a church, and then established another church in the West Palm Beach area. Tony and Maira came to Orlando in 2011 where Tony earned his MA in Coaching at Florida Christian University. Having made plans to go back to Brazil to start yet another church, they were pleasantly surprised when God shifted their plans and they joined the staff at Church In The Son in June 2012. Tony and Maira have two children, David and Jessica, who are presently attending Bible College.
Although it has been said that the youth in America is an unreachable generation, PJ sees them as a generation without limits. Young people in Orlando are searching for something authentic and un-fabricated. What a privilege it is to introduce them to an all-knowing, loving, and living God. This generation is rising up with a heart for God and a potential to change the world, living out 1Timothy 4:12, “ 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.“
PJ grew up in the youth ministry at Church in the Son, and now finds it a pleasure to be able to serve as the Mix Mid Director, loving and discipling middle school students. He went to UCF and studied pre-medicine with a Bachelor in Health Science. PJ has been married two years to Roxanne, who is a registered oncology nurse. Both PJ and Roxanne have a heart for medical missions.
Monica and her husband, Ezekiel, Ezekiel are from Raleigh, North Carolina. They have been married for 18 years and currently reside in Windermere with their three daughters: Gabrielle, Bethany, and Carine.
The Brooks Family joined Church In The Son as members in June 2007. Monica and Ezekiel have over 16 years of experience in ministry work. They helped plant and establish Raleigh International Church via Wellington Boone Ministries in Raleigh, North Carolina. Together, Monica and Ezekiel have been in service to Christ running small groups, teaching seminars, and involved in many aspects of ministry since 1994.
Monica graduated from East Carolina University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology. In the early years, Monica was part of the Praise and Worship Team, and heavily involved in the Intercessory Prayer team as well. She has served as a teacher in the Children’s Ministry for over 13 years. In January of 2010 she accepted the position of Early Childhood Director at Church In The Son where she oversees the administration and manages the volunteer base for the ministry to children five years old and under.
