FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF WINTER HAVEN - Key Persons
The Rev. Dr. Steve Negley was born in a small town in southern Illinois called Olney. Steve moved with his family to Tampa, Florida when he was thirteen years old. He graduated from Jesuit High School, and holds an A.A. from the University of Florida, a B.S. from the University of South Florida, and Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry degrees from Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, Georgia.
Steve was ordained to the ministry in 1985, and served as the Associate Pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Winter Haven until 1988. He was then called to be the Pastor of the Presbyterian Church of Seffner, Florida. In 1996, he returned to Winter Haven to serve as the Senior Pastor/ Head of Staff at First Presbyterian
Church of Winter Haven. He is active in the ministries of our church, the local community, and the Presbytery of Tampa Bay.
Steve is married to his wife of over 30 years, Teresa (an elementary school teacher). They have two sons; Thomas (a patent attorney in Washington, DC) and Stewart (a business consultant who lives in Atlanta, GA) In his free time, Steve spends as much time as possible with family. He also enjoys old cars, guns, music from the 1970's and being outdoors.
Job Titles:
- Director of Student Ministries
Emily was born and raised in Winter Haven, Florida. She graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design from Florida Southern College in Lakeland.
Emily is no stranger to our youth or congregation. She has been an active member of First Presbyterian Church of Winter Haven her whole life. She was born, baptized, and confirmed in our church. She is a Deacon. Emily has been a faithful member of our Honduras Mission team on several trips. She attended the Montreat Senior High Youth Conference as a youth in the church four times, and the Montreat College Conference the past three years. Emily was also elected by our presbytery as a Young Adult Advisory Delegate at the 222 nd General Assembly.
As Director of Student Ministries, Emily enjoys being a part of the lives of the youth and helping them grow in their faith. She is excited to be a part of the youth program that was so special and impactful to her own life.
In her free time Emily enjoys reading, traveling, drawing, painting, spending time with family, and playing soccer (or any other sport).
Job Titles:
- Director of Music Ministries
Jeremy Rath is a native of Western New York. He grew up in Hamlin, New York; a small, rural town situated midway between Rochester and Buffalo, on the shores of Lake Ontario. Starting piano lessons in the fourth grade, he quickly fell in love with music. He studied organ, piano, and voice at Roberts Wesleyan College in Rochester. There, he received his Bachelor of Science in Music Education as well as his Masters of Music in Music Education.
Jeremy began his music teaching career to the eager students of Elba Central School. There, he taught general and vocal music to young musicians in grades K-12. After 6 years there, he returned to his Alma Mater, Kendall Central School, again instructing students at all grade levels. At both schools, Jeremy directed the elementary, middle, and high school choruses, as well as multiple elementary and secondary musicals. In 2013, he received special recognition by the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra for his excellence in teaching.
Jeremy started playing the organ and piano for church services while still in Junior High School, at age 13. Since then, he has been active in many different congregations making music together with God's people.
When not on the bench, Jeremy enjoys spending time with family, traveling, and riding his bicycle (and is eager to explore the trails in Central Florida). He also has a deep appreciation for architecture and history.
John serves as our Interim Associate Pastor with a variety of responsibilities including worship leadership, pastoral care, missions, congregational care, and more. John is a graduate of University of South Florida and received his Masters of Divinity and Masters of Christian Education from Union Presbyterian Seminary in Richmond, VA.
He grew up as child of the First Presbyterian Church of Brandon, FL and heard a call to ministry while serving at Cedarkirk (our presbytery camp and conference center) in his college years.
Following seminary, John served Presbyterian camps in Virginia (Massanetta Springs), South Carolina (Bethelwoods), and Florida; where he most recently served as the Executive Director at Cedarkirk for 13 years.
John is married to his wife of over 20 years, Loli (also an ordained PC(USA) minister who serves as the pastor at the Presbyterian Church of Seffner). They have two teenage daughters, Isabel and Olivia, who fill their lives with lots of laughs. In his free time, John enjoys spending time with his girls, watching movies, traveling, swimming, and cooking.
Rev. Sarah is from Marysville, Ohio. She graduated from Muskingum College (now Muskingum University) of New Concord Ohio with her Bachelors of Arts. Majoring in Political Science and Christian Education, she graduated in 2005. Rev. Sarah received her Masters of Divinity from Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary in Louisville, KY in 2008.
Her first three years of church service was as a Director of Christian Education at First Presbyterian Church of Frankfort, KY. Rev. Sarah was then called to to South Bend, IN for her first ordained call in 2013. She served as Associate Pastor of Christian Formation and Education at First Presbyterian Church of Downtown South Bend, IN till the summer of 2018. On July 8 th, 2018 Rev. Sarah was installed at Associate Pastor for Christian Education and Family Ministries here at First Presbyterian Church of Winter Haven by the Presbytery of Tampa Bay.
Rev. Sarah is active in Christian Educational ministries at our church, serving in leadership at the national level with the Association of Presbyterian Church Educators (APCE Treasurer 2017-2020), the presbytery and national PC (USA) such as a General Assembly Teaching Elder delegate to the 222 nd GA.
When not active in ministry with our church, you can find Rev. Sarah walking her dog, Charlie; perusing the historical fiction books at the library, playing soccer or enjoying all the water sports that Central Florida has to offer.
Job Titles:
- Director of Finance and Administration