The Rev. Steve Ruegg, Lead Pastor

gspastor@goodshepherd-umc.org

Pastor Steve is originally from Columbus, Ohio.  He did his undergraduate studies at Taylor University in Indiana and his graduate work at Asbury Theological Seminary in Kentucky.  Ordained in the Ohio West Conference of the United Methodist Church, he transferred into the Florida Conference in 1975 and has served in Florida since.  He is married to Nancy Schaub of Wheaton, Illinois. They have been married 38 years and have three adult children, Eric, Heather and Jeremy.

"In coming to Good Shepherd 8 years ago, I found a wonderful church family, fully committed to making a difference in the community.  Good Shepherd has been going through tremendous change and it is exhilarating to see the Lord work in power!  I must say that I am more excited about ministry and the possibilities before us than ever before in my entire ministry!  If you are looking for a loving, supportive family, I invite you to check out Good Shepherd.  You will not be disappointed!"

The Rev. Jacqueline Leveron, Associate Pastor

gsassociate@goodshepherd-umc.org

Jacquie Leveron was born in Cuba but raised in Miami. She attended Florida International University for her undergraduate degree in Criminal Justice and Oral Roberts University for her Master in Divinity.  In the 20 years she has been a member of the Florida Conference she has served Flemming St/ El Salvador UMCs, Key West; St. Andrews/Wesley Chapel UMCs in Ft. Lauderdale; and First UMC, Deltona.

Jacquie has served on the Board of Ordained Ministry at Conference level since 1998. As Chairperson of the Florida/Cuba Taskforce since 2001 she has traveled with the Methodist Bishop from Cuba when he visits the United States as translator and has led many mission trips to Cuba, Costa Rica, Tanzania, and Kenya.
 
Retreats and Conferences across the country have invited Jacquie to be a Keynote Speaker.  She has a great passion for teaching, training and empowering people to serve God in positive, living and effective ways.

Jacquie has two daughters, Shirah and Shayna.  Shirah attends Florida Atlantic University and Shayna will be a Senior in High School this year.

Stephen Wells, Assistant to the Pastor
Youth & Young Adult Ministries

impact@goodshepherd-umc.org

Stephen Wells brings to Good Shepherd United Methodist Church over 10 years of ministry experience. He graduated from St. Louis Christian College in 2000 with a B.A. in Urban Ministry. While attending he played on the baseball team. He has also served as an assistant baseball coach here in Southeast Florida with the Park Vista High School Cobras.

Stephen last served at Wesley United Methodist Church on Marco Island for 5 years as the Assistant to the Pastor. Youth Ministry is his focus but he enjoys serving people of all ages. He has also been married for over 8 years to his wife Patricia. They have two small children, David and Livia.

Malcolm "Gator" Spaulding, Assistant to the Pastor
Outreach Ministry

outreach@goodshepherd-umc.org

Gator Spaulding felt a call from God to go back to school in 1997 to study and prepare for ministry. He wanted to serve the Lord in the community, to be the hands and feet of Jesus in a nonthreathening way. Gator graduated from Evangelical Bible Seminary in 2005 with his Doctrine of Theology and in the same year he was ordained by Evangelical Church Alliance. Gator has been married 35 years to his wife Anita. Between them there are three children and five grandchildren. Gator with joy proclaims that God has changed his life and my family’s.

The Outreach Ministry is working to share God’s love in a practical way through bridge events and acts of kindness in the surrounding neighborhood. Gator says his greatest joy comes from bringing a little light of God’s love into someone’s day.