David Russell Hintz, who we know at "Rusty", is originally from Charleston, WV.  Prior to moving to South Florida, he served as Music Director for 10 years at a church in Sarasota, FL. 

When Rusty first came to this church he also served as the Music Director for several years but jumped at the opportunity to explore the roll of Executive Pastor and has been serving in this capacity for 12+ years. He loves helping a team accomplish their goals and seeing God work, sometimes in miraculous ways, in the lives of our church family. 

Rusty trusted Jesus when he was 2 weeks shy of his 5^th birthday. He realized he couldn’t get to Heaven himself and needed Jesus to forgive his sins and save him. Shortly after his salvation, He surrendered to preach … but eventually realized that it was full-time ministry he was called to, not preaching.  In addition to his love for Jesus, Rusty loved sports growing up and really excelled in almost every sport he played, basketball, football, baseball, volleyball, golf... 

Rusty has been married to his wife, Judy, for 41 years. They have two fantastic grown kids – Hilary and Nikolas. Their third son is their daughter’s husband, Vince. They also have a couple of canine members of the family – Hilary and Vince have Casper, a 90lb Siberian Husky and have Pawpi, a 2-year-old Chihuahua/Shih Tzu mix.  They enjoy traveling together and watching our favorite TV shows when home.

Fun Fact about Rusty... he has been bitten by a Brown Recluse Spider TWICE... and lived to tell the story. 

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Pastor Bob has been serving this church for over 37 years. After being raised Roman Catholic his girlfriend in High School (now his wife of 52 years) witnessed to him and helped him understand the Gospel. He trusted Jesus as Savior at 16 years old but didn't really plan to go into full time ministry. 

After graduating High School Bob decided to attend Bible College for a year to get "grounded" in the Word. Then he planned to transfer to a secular college.  After his first year he decided to stay a second year, then worked for a year to pay off his bill and during that year prayed and decided to finish Bible College and felt the call to full time ministry.  Had he not gone into ministry his plan was to major in history and become a teacher, or researcher, or explore archeology. 

Before coming to this church, Bob Pastored a church in Hollywood for 8 years. He has a deep passion to help people grow in their relationship with Jesus and help them overcome whatever hurdles they face. 

Although Bob is originally from Springfield, Massachusetts, (which explains his deep love for the Boston Red Sox), he has spent most of his life in South Florida. He married his high school sweetheart, Kathy, and they have 2 sons. Rob works for the FAA and is an approach controller at Houston center in Texas — he and their daughter-in-law, Stacie, have 4 children - Sarah, Jessica (who is in heaven), Austin and Connor. Sarah and her husband RJ have a son — their great-grandson-Ryder. Their son, James, is a computer programmer and is not married. 

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Glenn is a twice retired man... once from the U.S. Army as a Sergeant First Class/E7 after 20 years of service in 1997, and then in 1997 from 22 years of working as Security/Public Safety Director at Westland Mall. But Glenn is far from living the "Retired" life. He serves as our Prime Timers Director over our 50+ Ministry. 

While Glenn's professional life did not include full-time ministry, he has had plenty of ministry experience. Through the years he has served in roles like: 

• Group leader, Anchorage Church of Christ (1979), Alaska where he actually met Jesus and surrendered all in 1978
• Deacon, Radcliff Church of Christ (1983-1985), Kentucky
• Ordained Public Speaker, Deacon / Deacon Chairman, Finance Director, Sunday School Teacher, Outreach Ministry, and Youth Ministry, (1998-2012), Shiloh MB Church, Homestead, Florida
• Acting Overseer in the absence of a pastor, Shiloh MB Church, a combined two (2) years  

• Jacksonville Baptist Theological Seminary, Student, 2012 - 2022, Bachelor of Theology, Master of Christian Education, Doctor of Christian Education, Ph.D. Biblical Studies and current Professor.  
• Penn Foster College: Studying Business Management, (83) and Criminal Justice, (2000).  

Tavaris is a Florida native who was saved out of a lifestyle of Atheism and loved debating Christians. He was fascinated with Egyptology and Eastern practices connected with mixed martial arts before God captured his heart through the faith of his wife, Felicia.

Today, Tavaris is a Biola University student majoring in Bible, Theology, and Apologetics, and minoring in Psychology. He is an apologist passionate about helping young people navigate life's challenges through a Biblical perspective. 

Tavaris and his wife Felicia lead our Bridge Students (Middle & High School) and are dedicated to creating a safe and welcoming environment where teens can ask questions, share their struggles, and grow in their relationship with God. 

Fun Fact about Tavaris... he was a corrections officer in his previous career and worked in the Solitary Confinement Unit for a while... so he can handle your tough teens!

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Carol is originally from Ndola, Zambia (not South Africa which everyone assumes).

Before she came to this church, she worked at Faith Baptist Church in Sarasota, Florida as the Children’s Ministry Director. Before that she was a Pastor’s wife – her husband, Bob Swinson was pastor of Sarasota Bible Church. 

She came to America to go to Bible College – Emmaus Bible College, and then went on to graduate from Ringling School of art and Design in Sarasota where she met her husband, Bob. Bob had just graduated from Seminary and was starting a church in Sarasota.

Carol began serving as Children’s Ministry Director of The Bridge Church in January of 2004. She LOVES working in ministry – particularly in children’s ministry – Awana, summer camps, children’s church, children and family events. Her experience has taught her that children so readily accept Jesus and the Word of God. They are like little sponges soaking it all up. Children’s ministry is the foundation of their walk with Jesus. Everyone knows that without a solid foundation, a building cannot stand, so she takes her ministry very seriously and tries first to reach the children with the gospel of Jesus Christ, and then to infuse a biblical worldview and the truth of God’s word into their lives. 

Carol has also become passionate about leading our Wellness Group called GriefShare. Having lost her husband to Leukemia, and having walked the path of grief, she has a heart for grieving people.  Her heart is also in missions. She grew up on the mission field (her father was an Australian missionary to Zambia) so missions (both at home and abroad) is another one of her passions.

When she was eight years old, Carol trusted the Lord as her Savior. She was raised in a Christian family and must have heard the gospel many times, but when a young lady, who was babysitting at her home, explained to her what “saved” meant, she remembers feeling very convicted of her sin, and knew she needed a Savior. Carol asked Jesus to be her Savior that day and has endeavored to live for Him ever since then.

At 15 years old, an elder in her church asked if she would teach Sunday school. She was excited and nervous. But after teaching that first Sunday, she knew that she wanted to teach children about Jesus.

Carol has three children, (Summer – Married to Steve, Mandi – married to David, and Robb) and three beautiful grandchildren Camille (5), Buckley (2) and Clementine (1) – through her daughter Mandi and her husband, Dave. Carol's husband, Bob, was a pastor when they married, and after nine years in the ministry, he felt called to go into full time Creation Science Ministry. He passed away in 2013, but you can still see some of his videos on YouTube (Robert Swinson, Creation Science Ministry).

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Lynda has been at this church since childhood. She met husband Craig here and has raised their two girls, Anna (20) and Hailey (16), here. She and Craig will celebrate their 25^th wedding anniversary this fall.

Lynda teaches 5^th and 6^th grade math at Sheridan Hills Christian School. Her professional degrees include a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from Trinity International University and a Master of Science in Education with a focus on special education from Concordia University Wisconsin. She has worked with the children here at our church (and school) since she was a teenager serving in our nursery, working at summer camp, coaching cheerleading, and then as a teacher. She also enjoyed working with other moms in our church’s MOPS group while she was a stay-at-home mom when her girls were younger.

Lynda says, "It is and honor to become one of the directors of the Little Ones ministry at The Bridge Church. My desire is to support our church families in raising their children to know and love Christ. Thank you for allowing me the privilege of taking care of your children."

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Paula Acuña-Garcia was born and raised in a Christian home. She learned the importance of serving in ministry from a young age while watching her parents serve in different churches as she grew up. She accepted Jesus as her Lord and Savior when she was 8 years old and was baptized at 11 years old. 

Paula has been married for 15 years to Matias Garcia, and they have a son, Andrew, who is 10 years old.  Paula holds a master's degree in special education with a concentration in Autism from FIU. She has been a teacher for 15 years.  

Paula says, "I have been serving on the Little Ones Ministry for the past seven years.  I am looking forward to keep serving the Lord and the families at The Bridge Church alongside the wonderful ladies who are part of this ministry."

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Ceci's job at The Bridge is very diverse and she loves every single aspect of it. Every hat she wears is very special and most of all she loves her co-workers and the team of volunteers she works with. Ceci ascribes to the saying, "Find a job you love and you'll never have to work for the rest of your life."  

Prior to working at the church, Ceci worked in the banking business for about 26 years as a Mortgage Loan Closer.  Her involvement in ministry came in steps after becoming an official Member and beginning to serve in the resource ministry, membership ministry and creative arts ministry. In 2008 she was hired as a ministry assistant, and it became clear to her she was born to do ministry. Since then, she has become the Office Manager, First Impressions Director and Missions Assistant Director.  For Ceci, Ministry is a lifestyle. 

Originally Ceci is from Ecuador in South America. When she moved to Florida in 1982, she began attending bible studies and learned more about having a relationship with God and accepted Jesus as her Savior. She is the youngest of 11 children and loved growing up in a big family that was very close. She believes her parents left the best legacy, love God first and love family. Her parents were married for 72 years. 

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Regine has been attending the Bridge Church for over 20 years and joined the staff as the Next Steps Director, in September 2019.  Next Steps’ Vision is to “Journey with Jesus, One Step at a Time (Salvation, Baptism, Membership, Serving, Giving, Outreach, Parent Dedication)”.  

She and her husband, Josh, have three children and are both originally from Haiti. Regine migrated from Haiti to New York around the age of 4 and is the youngest of five children. She believes her parents and siblings all positively impacted who she is today. She loves spending time with family and friends. 

Regine loves getting to know people, helping others in the community, singing, and reading.  Before she worked at The Bridge she worked in "All Things" Social Services... Social Worker, Therapist, Non-Profit Management, Advocacy and Community Engagement Activities... but her spirit was restless and she felt the need to look for her next step in her career. That's when she learned about an opening at The Bridge and felt God's leading and timing was not coincidental. This was her Next Step. 

As Next Step Director, Regine is passionate about helping you take your next steps!

Fun Fact About Regine... she loves to laugh! If you spend any time with her at all... you will quickly be laughing. 

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Felicia is a Florida Native, born at North Shore Hospital and has lived here in South Florida her entire life. Prior to working at The Bridge Church she worked at Nova University, the City of Miramar as a Rental Advisor at the Multi-Service Complex and with the Adult Daycare, the City of Miramar Water Department, the City of Sunny Isles front desk coordinator for Parks and Recs, as well as the City of Dania Beach for Parks and Recs.  She loves a good challenge and is always eager to learn more and master it. She has a passion for helping others whenever needed. 

Felicia has grown up in the church and met Jesus personally as a child. She has never questioned her faith in Jesus because He has always shown Himself faithful, present, and worthy even after the passing of her father in 2007. Felicia says her mom is her precious jewel who models faith in God and she has always looked up to her. 

Felicia and her husband, Tavaris, were called into full time ministry at their last church when they were asked to co-lead the youth ministry. Shortly after they agreed to help, the main leaders stepped down and left Tavaris & Felicia with the full responsibility. And we are so glad God led them in this direction and began training them to pour into the next generation. Several years later they became members of The Bridge Church and now lead our NextGen Ministry together. 

Tavaris & Felicia have been married for 8 years and together for 11 years. Felicia is a bonus mom to Tavaris' son, Varie, and the aunt of 3 nephews and 3 nieces and a great aunt to two nephews.  She has 2 older sisters and says her family is ridiculously funny once you get to know them. 

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Roger joined our Bridge Creative Arts Team as our Live Sound Engineer 5 years ago.  However, since then he has been roped into many other responsibilities including Live Streaming our services, which was and is a huge undertaking, and leading our Tech Team. 

Roger began his journey as a teenager helping in his local church and has grown into a sought-after professional in his field. In addition to working at The Bridge he manages live bands who perform for hire for a wide range of local events. 

Roger is from Brooklyn, New York, but grew up in Houston, Texas. He is the middle child of 7 siblings born to parents from Trinidad. He was introduced to music when his father put him and his siblings to work playing in his band. Music and production have been a big part of Roger's life.  Roger is the dad of 2 wonderful young men. His youngest just started college. In his free time he loves hanging with his family and listening to good music. 

Fun Fact about Roger... to honor his parents wishes, he also trained to be a Paramedic, for his dad, and a Pharmacist, for his mom... but sound engineering won his heart. 

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