Meet Our Staff

Jeff Bennett

Lead Pastor

Jeff is in his 17th year of ordained ministry, having worked for ten years as a software engineer prior to hearing God’s call to pastoral ministry. He and wife Jill have been married for 12 years and have three children: Abby, Sophie and Spencer.

Jeff has served as Ponte Vedra UMC's pastor since it's transition from the South Campus of Beach United Methodist, Jacksonville Beach in 2003. He and Jill lived on the island of Utila, Honduras where Jeff served as a volunteer pastor. (A photo journal of that adventure appears on Jeff’s website, http://jeff.mybennett.org.)

Jeff has a deep desire to see people become fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ and believes that getting involved in a small group Bible study is key to this growth. And he loves seeing God use the church to transform the world!

Jimmy Jones

Teaching Pastor

jimmy.jones@pv-umc.org

Jimmy joined our staff in January 2012. He teaches in worship, provides leadership for some of our teams, visits, and leads international mission trips. Jimmy is an avid UNC-Chapel Hill men's basketball fan, graduating from Chapel Thrill (as he calls it) in 1989. He was ordained in the United Methodist Church in 1995.

Jimmy is fortunate to have married the beautiful and intelligent Lynn Comer Jones who is on faculty at The University of North Florida. Together with their awesome son Caleb they have claimed Ponte Vedra Beach as home since 2003, living near the beach with their independently minded cat named Joey who often ignores them and rarely seeks affection.

Jimmy enjoys golf, biking, reading, and traveling.

Scott Tinsley

Minister of Music - Contemporary

scott.tinsley@pv-umc.org

Scott has been serving Ponte Vedra United Methodist musically since 2001 when we began as the South Campus of Beach UMC. From lead guitar in the Praise Band, Scott moved to his present position in the fall of 2005. He has been playing professionally since 1979 and teaches private lessons in guitar, violin, piano and bass guitar. Scott leads the Praise Band and Praise Choir and continues to sing and play guitar in the band.

Elisabeth Callahan

Minister of Music - Traditional

elisabeth.callahan@pv-umc.org

We welcomed Elisabeth to our staff in 2011. She recently completed the Master of Music from Florida State University and teaches music at Mandarin Middle School. Elisabeth directs our traditional choir and leads congregational hymn singing at our 11:00 Traditions service. She is married to David.

Kelly Minter

Youth Minister

kelly.minter@pv-umc.org

Kelly began working with us in April, 2007. She most recently served at Conway United Methodist Church in Orlando, coming to us with 10 years experience working with youth. Kelly hails from Philadelphia; her parents and her sister (who is also a youth minister) and her brother continue to live in that area. Kelly enjoys time with her family and also time at the beach. She lives in Arlington with cats Twilight and Cole, and toy rat terrier Piper.

Jenn Smith

Children's Minister

jenn.smith@pv-umc.org

Jenn is a native of Jacksonville. She comes to us with degrees in Special Education and Educational Technology from UNF and JU and over 15 years of teaching experience. Jenn loves working with children and has enjoyed volunteering in Kingdom Kids and Vacation Bible School before coming on staff in January, 2012. Jenn is married to Mike; they have two daughters, Sonja and Juliana.

Kim Knopp

Nursery Coordinator

kim.knopp@pv-umc.org

Kim came aboard as our Nursery Coordinator in March, 2007. Kim is a third grade teacher at Abess Elementary School in Jacksonville. She is married to Jack; they have three daughters. Kim not only oversees our other nursery workers but wants to see the children in our care learning the songs and stories of the faith.

Susan Bowler

Administrative Assistant

susan.bowler@pv-umc.org

Susan came to serve our church in August, 2006. She has been married to her husband John for 19 years. They enjoy John’s sons John and Matthew and their grandson Adam. Susan loves animals and has adopted several stray cats. (Don’t get any ideas, though. Susan says, “No more.”) The Bowlers also have a dog named June who lives with them in their Jacksonville Beach home.

Jim Larsen

Accountant

jim.larsen@pv-umc.org

Jim and his wife Karen of 48 years live in Walden Chase. Their daughter Kim’s family lives in the same development so the Larsens get to spend a lot of time with their granddaughter Kaeli. Jim has been serving our church since August, 2006.

Jim Wooton

Custodian

jim.wooton@pv-umc.org

Jim has served in the United States Navy and began working with us in the spring of 2011.