LEARN ABOUT OUR TEAM

Rev. Dr. Rinaldo ‘Rini’ Hernandez was born in Cuba where he got his theological education in Matanzas Theological Seminary (Bachelor and Master of Theology), and got his doctoral degree from Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, GA.

He is a forth generation Methodist and served The Methodist Church in Cuba for 23 years as a Pastor, District Superintendent, Seminary Professor and Church Planter. His last church in Cuba went from 80 to 1,000 in worship attendance in 8 years. In September 2001 the Hernandez Family moved to Miami, where Rini was appointed to plant a new church in the Doral area. He served that church for 10 years, leaving a congregation with over 200 people in worship. Rini was appointed, by Bishop Timothy Whitaker, as a District Superintendent in the SW District, where he held pastoral and administrative responsibilities for 89 churches. He did this work from 2011-2019 while living in the City of Sarasota. Bishop Ken Carter appointed him to serve as the Director of New Church Development and Latino/Latina Ministries in the Florida Conference in 2019, where he started 3 new churches and supervised 14 church planting projects and 37 Hispanic/Latino churches. He has been married to Magalis ‘Maggie’ Hernandez for 44 years and they have 2 children and 3 grandchildren.

Pastor Dennis Ball graduated from Williams Baptist College, Southwest Baptist University, and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. With advanced studies at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He has pastored churches in Texas, Missouri and Maryland. He has also served as an active duty, US Army Chaplain. He claims Missouri as his home state.

Lauramae B. Ball has a degree from Southwest Baptist University in music, and graduate work at Central Missouri State University. She has been an active part of the ministry team in all the places Pastor Dennis has served and more. Lauramae claims Missouri as her home state as well.

Brad was born and raised in North Carolina. He started singing and playing instruments, in church and school, at a very young age. He's in his 21st year of worship ministry and is a graduate of East Carolina University and 10,000 Fathers & Mothers Worship School.

Ken, originally from New York, made a decision in 1993 to live a life in recovery. He's active in the local recovery network and eager to share the healing love of Jesus to those who wish to change their lives. He also became the Director of Youth Ministry in January 2021.

Alexis is originally from Maryland and joined the staff in September 2022.

We are so happy to have her on our team!

Bonnie grew up in California where she studied music and traveled as a singer and musician with various groups. She has lived in Missouri and Georgia working in legal administration and operations management for 28 years. She enjoys playing guitar in the praise team, kayaking and watching sports.

Mary is from Vermont. Her entire life has been about preschool aged children and she loves working with them on a daily basis. Mary had a dream to start a new school and that came true when CCFirst opened FELC in 2011.

Sarah and her family have been attending CCF since 2009. She enjoys taking pictures,

crafting, and has a heart for teaching children about the love of Jesus!