Dr. Scott Douglas, Pastor (e-mail)
Scott started his ministry at Emmanuel in July 2016, after serving at churches in Kentucky & Tennessee. He is married to Carrie, and they have two boys: Samuel (8) and Grayson (5). Scott is a graduate of the University of Louisville (Go Cards!) and The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (MDiv, EdD). In addition to his duties at Emmanuel, Scott serves as an adjunct professor, and has published on church staffs and ministry leadership. His passion is to make disciples, invest in leaders, cast vision, and cultivate a missions culture. He writes regularly at his blog, Developing Leaders & Leaving a Legacy. You can connect with Scott on Facebook, Twitter, or Amazon.
Scott started his ministry at Emmanuel in July 2016, after serving at churches in Kentucky & Tennessee. He is married to Carrie, and they have two boys: Samuel (8) and Grayson (5). Scott is a graduate of the University of Louisville (Go Cards!) and The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (MDiv, EdD). In addition to his duties at Emmanuel, Scott serves as an adjunct professor, and has published on church staffs and ministry leadership. His passion is to make disciples, invest in leaders, cast vision, and cultivate a missions culture. He writes regularly at his blog, Developing Leaders & Leaving a Legacy. You can connect with Scott on Facebook, Twitter, or Amazon.
Rev. Ron Van Der Weert, Associate Pastor (e-mail)
Ron serves as our Associate Pastor after retiring twice: once from the Air Force where he was a fighter pilot, and again from ministry after developing cancer. Ron oversees our Sunday School ministry and assists the church in a number of ministry responsibilities. He is a graduate of the University of Alabama, and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He is married to Linda, a former nurse.
Ron serves as our Associate Pastor after retiring twice: once from the Air Force where he was a fighter pilot, and again from ministry after developing cancer. Ron oversees our Sunday School ministry and assists the church in a number of ministry responsibilities. He is a graduate of the University of Alabama, and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He is married to Linda, a former nurse.
Rev. Nathaniel Miller, Music & Children's Minister (e-mail)
Nathaniel joined the team at Emmanuel in January 2017 as our Worship Leader, and in 2019 we added oversight of our Children's Ministry to his responsibilities. He is from Palmetto (3rd generation), and is working on his masters at Southeastern Seminary. He is married to Heidi, a high school teacher, and they live in Lakeland. They are the proud parents of Jedidiah, who was born in June 2019.
Nathaniel joined the team at Emmanuel in January 2017 as our Worship Leader, and in 2019 we added oversight of our Children's Ministry to his responsibilities. He is from Palmetto (3rd generation), and is working on his masters at Southeastern Seminary. He is married to Heidi, a high school teacher, and they live in Lakeland. They are the proud parents of Jedidiah, who was born in June 2019.
Angela Hefner, Youth Ministry Director (e-mail)
Angela leads our youth ministry (6th grade-College) at Emmanuel. She oversees the weekly youth group gathering, organizes a monthly homeless ministry in Bradenton, and coordinates regular activities and missions opportunities. She is married to Bill and they have two kids: Will (17) and Park (14).
Susie Jones, Ministry Assistant (e-mail)
Susie is the newest member of the team, coming on board in April 2018. Susie is originally from Florida but has lived across the Southeast. She calls Palmetto home with her husband, who has served in music ministry for 30 years. Besides her work at Emmanuel, Susie is a board member for North River Pregnancy Center, and is passionate about sharing her faith in Jesus.
Susie is the newest member of the team, coming on board in April 2018. Susie is originally from Florida but has lived across the Southeast. She calls Palmetto home with her husband, who has served in music ministry for 30 years. Besides her work at Emmanuel, Susie is a board member for North River Pregnancy Center, and is passionate about sharing her faith in Jesus.
Brigette Dunbar, Bookkeeper (e-mail)
Bridgette oversees the financial stewardship of Emmanuel Baptist Church. She is a lifetime resident in the area and loves spending time with her family!
Bridgette oversees the financial stewardship of Emmanuel Baptist Church. She is a lifetime resident in the area and loves spending time with her family!