StaffNews Kathy Horton


and coordinating the annual Missions Conferences. I started taking benevolence and food assistance calls.


Ministry Assistant • Administration Celebrates 15 years on March 11


Describe the main purpose of your responsibilities: My main responsibility is to coordinate all benevolence requests. I work with benevolence coaches and determine how best to assist those in need. I oversee the monthly food bank distribution, which currently serves over 50 families. I also have the privilege to provide administrative assistance for the weddings and outside events held at our church. I serve as a liaison between the church and the client to schedule the date of their event or wedding and work with the event representative or couple on all aspects. I also oversee Idlewild’s team of Wedding Coordinators.


What do you find most rewarding about your position? Helping hurting people.


How do you feel God uniquely prepared you to serve? To be honest, I was not prepared. Before joining the staff at Idlewild, I had worked at TECO for 25 years. I feel that my corporate experience prepared me to be able to talk with people about many different areas of service our staff provides, but the realization is that addressing the requests for benevolence is a ministry, not a job. Each day, I receive at least eight to 10 calls from people requesting some type of financial assistance. Sometimes, their stories are heartbreaking, sometimes unbelievable, and there are times when you know they are not telling you all the facts. We have to trust that the Holy Spirit will discern how we should get involved in each of these requests. It is never easy.


How has your ministry area changed?


I started working at the Bearss Avenue campus with the Facilities staff. I soon started working with Pastor Reno Zunz in the Missions ministry. My husband was doing missions overseas, so this was a great fit. I enjoyed working with all the missionaries


How can our church family support your ministry efforts? I could not support these various ministries without the assistance of volunteers. We have over 40 volunteers in the Food Bank Ministry who pick up food from the agencies, sort it into categories, and load boxes for recipient pick-up. We also have three wedding coordinators who assist with weddings. In the benevolence ministry, there are 20 trained benevolence people who help to gather information and offer suggestions as to what we should do for requestors. Pray for their spiritual sensitivity.


Personal Facts Birthplace Tampa, Florida


Family Husband Dennis, son Chris, daughter Erika, who is married to Will, with 1-year-old daughter Johanna, and a new one on the way! Education Graduated locally from Chamberlain High School First job TECO


Ministry Dennis teaches the Berean B.F. class. I help with the class and contact new visitors.


Interests Sports—watching football, hockey, and baseball. Watching my granddaughter.


Around the Office


Bob Thompson joined the staff on January 26 to serve part-time as the Men’s Ministry Coordinator. He has been supporting this ministry as a volunteer, but, as this ministry continues to grow, additional responsibilities have been added. He serves under the leadership of Minister • Adults Mike Kahn, with the purpose of inspiring and equipping men to connect, grow, and serve within the body of Christ. Bob and his wife Janice have been active members since 2007, attend the Joint Heirs Bible fellowship class, and he is a leader with the First Responders Medical Assistance Team for the worship services and events.


Michelle Munsch returns to serve as the seasonal VBS Volunteer Registration Coordinator. She served in this position last year. Under the leadership of Children’s Director Linda Epperson, Michelle will be responsible for registering over 2,100 children. As a key administrator, she will communicate with parents regarding placement of their child/children. She will also coordinate special placement requests for friends, special needs children, and special requests the week of VBS. She has been a faithful member since 1992 and serves as a Children’s Bible Fellowship teacher.


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8