Our Ministries and the Staff Who Lead Them

Children's Ministry

The Children's Ministry coordinates volunteers to implement the many programs/events for children. I am responsible for the children of Immanuel, 0 - 5 th grade. My ministry is to provide a rich environment in which children may learn about the Lord Jesus Christ and how to love and serve him. I am also responsible for the development of a short term vision for the addition of new families and the strengthening of current families.

Meet Tami Bonhardt-Carr Tami Bonhardt-Carr worked as an assistant to Charlene Robertson, our former Children's Ministry Coordinator, for a year prior to stepping into her shoes. Tami feels she learned much from Charlene's experience and faithful example. Tami lives out her belief that all children are a blessing and need to be led to Jesus! A true Floridian, Tami will celebrate 10 wonderful years of marriage to Dave Carr this year and has a wonderful son, Ryan 20 years old. Ryan attends Elon University in North Carolina where he is in his junior year. Tami and Dave found Christ at and joined the Immanuel family in 2000. She was blessed to be baptized with Ryan that same year. She enjoys running, long walks on the beach and watching Ryan play soccer. You are always welcome to share your thoughts and ideas about the Children's Ministry with her.

"Train up a child in the way that he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it""
Proverbs 22:6

  The Noah's Ark Preschool

The Noah's Ark Preschool Director oversees a program which began way back in the early-1970's with a vision given to the original body of St. Andrew's Episcopal Church . That vision was for a preschool where children could come and learn both social and academic skills in the midst of a community where the love of Jesus Christ was taught and lived. As the years have passed those small beginnings have grown into one of Destin's premier preschool programs with more than 80 children involved. We believe God would have us give our children the very best educational and spiritual opportunities. My responsibility is to follow the lead of the Holy Spirit as he carries the Noah's Ark children and teachers into the future.

Meet Charlene Robertson Charlene's walk with the Lord began when she was 13 years old. He has carried her through college, marriage , the raising of three children and into the present ; a time in her life where her ministry and her family all seem to be in harmony with Jesus. Charlene began her work in our midst as Children's Ministry Coordinator before accepting a call to Noah's Ark in August 1997. Charlene graduated form Mississippi University for Women in 1981 with a degree in early childhood education and a minor in social work. Throughout her life she has come to rejoice in the gentle ways God has drawn her into an ever deeper relationship with him, the body of Immanuel and ministry to young children.

  The Church Secretary

works in conjunction with the Administrative Assistant to provide general secretarial support for the staff, vestry, and lay ministry heads as requested. I also function as a contact person for general information throughout the parish. In addition, I create posters, sign-up charts, etc. for parish functions and ministries. This service role also often involves "filling in the gaps", i.e., identifying practical needs in the office and at church, and taking steps to meet the need (if appropriate) or bringing it to the attention of another staff member. By being a constant presence in the church office, and providing needed practical support for the staff, my ministry helps office operations run smoothly and frees other staff members to minister more effectively.

Meet Melanie Eimers Melanie now serves on the Immanuel staff as our new Parish Secretary. (You may have spotted her in back of John's piano on Sundays as she's also one of the volunteers who helps run our PowerPoint projection system). She and her husband Richard, have three sons, Richie, Patrick and Andre, and they've been members here since early 2006. Before her present job, Melanie worked with her husband helping to run Destin Floral, and then The Eimers Group Realty. Melanie originally hales from Neukirch, Switzerland, which explains her charming European accent. When not working at the church, she enjoys reading, going to movies, hanging out with her family and entertaining friends.

 

The Parish Administrator/Principal Church Musician

The Parish Administrator rather like a corporate CEO. I run the day to day administrative business of the church, as directed by the Senior Pastor, Vestry and our Lord Jesus Christ. I am responsible for all accounting practices of the church, working with vendors and various companies with whom the congregation does business. I have direct oversight of the Sexton. As Principle Musician I am co-chair of the music ministry and am responsible for the worship music portion of the church service.

Meet John Hayslip John Hayslip was born in Fort Walton Beach , Florida in 1945 into one of the founding families of the community. Graduating from Choctawhatchee High School , John went on to receive degrees in music and accounting from Massey College (now part of the Auburn University ). He started in Church music in 1966 in response to a call from the Lord. He has been blessed to have a lifelong faith in the Lord but that relationship took on depth and meaning when he gave his life to Jesus in 1970. John is married to Deborah Kattine Hayslip and they have a sixteen year old daughter Joanna who is the light of their lives. John says that he is truly blessed to be both Administrator and Principal Church Musician. It is the best of both worlds!

 

The Administrative Assistant to the Clergy

The Administrative Assistant to the clergy assists the clergy in their ministry and work in the office and in the parish. My role is to ease their workload not only in the physical operation of the office, but also in the spiritual and ministerial aspects, when appropriate. In addition to assisting the clergy as a prayer counseling minister, I also manage correspondence and clergy appointment calendars, maintain parish records, coordinate clergy and staff background checks, oversee production of the newsletter and other parish publications, and handle general office duties.

Meet Hannah Flynn Hannah Flynn has worked in several capacities on staff at Immanuel. She is also the lay leader of the Inner Healing ministry and coordinator for New Leaf Ministries at Immanuel. Hannah's companions on her spiritual journey include Chris, her husband, who she says is a candidate for beautification, and two grown and almost grown children, Sean and Jenna. Hannah enjoys studying theology, cooking spaghetti for the praise band which practices at her home and being obedience trained by her German Shepherd, Betsy.

 

The Sexton

The Sexton keeps the church's physical facilities running smoothly: Administrative wing, Church Sanctuary, Youth Room (The Shed) and Christian Education/Noah's Ark building. I oversee and coordinate all building maintenance, grounds-keeping and cleaning of facilities. My ministry is to make the place shine for the Lord.

Meet Al Farmer Al Farmer is a native of Chattanooga , Tennessee . He and his wife, Durella, have formed a blended family. Between them they have four children and four grandchildren, however, with one child still unmarried there is hope for even more. Before becoming Sexton at Immanuel in February 2006, Al was a charter boat captain in the Destin area for twenty-three years. Prior to that he worked in the environmental field for fourteen years. Al likes fishing, cooking and reading a good book.