Brian Gilliland has been serving as our Senior Pastor since January 2002.  Brian married Bonnie Kay Nimmons on December 15, 1990.  Throughout their married life, God has carried Brian and Bonnie through some difficult days, as Bonnie battled cancer three times over from 1991 – 1993.  God not only healed her of cancer, He also healed her womb and blessed them with two sons: Wilson and Tyler.  In the summer of 1999, Bonnie was air-lifted from a tragic van accident that left 1 dead and 4 critically injured.  Once again, God healed her body.  God has proven Himself faithful over the years. 

Brian obtained his Master’s of Divinity with Languages from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary.  His life verse is Joshua 1:9 – "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous!  Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."

Mark came to Morningside Baptist in June, 2003. He brings over 20 years of experience in Music and Worship serving Churches in Florida, Alabama, Texas and Arkansas. Mark is married to Lisa and they have two daughters - Shannon and Allison. He is a graduate of Samford University in Birmingham, AL where he received a Bachelor of Music Education and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, TX where he received a Masters of Music degree.

Mark's favorite verses center on the power that the Worship of God, by His people, have on others and how we should join the Psalmist in committing ourselves to a lifetime of praising the Lord.

Psalm 40:1-3

"I waited patiently for the LORD; and He inclined to me, and heard my cry. He also brought me up out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my steps. He has put a new song in my mouth-- Praise to our God; many will see it and fear, and will trust in the LORD."

Psalm 104:33

"I will sing to the LORD all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live."

Ross Decker started his ministry soon after he felt God calling him to full time service at the age of 18. He served as the middle school youth pastor at his home church in Orlando while attending the University of Central Florida, where he received his Bachelor of Arts in Communications. After receiving his bachelors Ross continued his education at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, where he will soon receive his Masters of Divinity.

Ross has been serving as student pastor at Morningside Baptist Church a little over 5 years. He has been married to his wife Erin for 6 years and they are the proud parents of Madison, Micah, and Mercy. Ross is thankful for the years he has had at Morningside Baptist Church and desires that through his ministry teenagers would begin to own their faith and glorify God with their lives. His favorite Bible verse is Deuteronomy 10:12 - "And now, O Israel, what does the Lord your God ask of you but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all His ways, to love Him, to serve the Lord your God with all you heart and with all your soul."

Rob has been serving as Children's Director at Morningside Baptist Church since May 2009. He is married to Denee and they have been blessed with three beautiful daughters; Kailey, Ella, & Lucy. Rob has a Bachelors Degree in Human Resource Management and a Masters Degree in Education. Both from Florida State University.

As Morningside's first Children's Director, Rob has answered the calling to lead the ministries of the Children both in and around Morningside Baptist Church. His prayer is for each and every child participating in any of the children's programs to come to the saving knowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord and none comes to the Father but by Him. There is no greater joy than to watch as a child accepts Jesus as their Savior and Lord. Rob’s desire and prayer is for the ministries of this church and the men and women serving here have a desire to reach and teach the boys and girls of this community.

Proverbs 22:6

"Train up a child in the way he should go, even when he is old he will not depart from it."

Stephanie and her family have been attending Morningside Baptist Church since 2000. She has been the chair of our preschool department since 2003 and has served as our first Preschool Director since January 2008. She married Joe in 1996 and they have been blessed with two wonderful children; Christian and Sarah. Stephanie has her A.S. in Early Childhood Development and Education and her Childhood Development Associate (CDA). She is also a preschool teacher at a local Christian school.

As the Preschool Director, Stephanie has been given the opportunity to share the love of Christ with the 'youngest of these' and their parents. She truly loves children of all ages and is committed to sharing Jesus' love with all those God places in her path. This ministry is composed of many wonderful Sunday school teachers and other volunteers who serve as the hands and feet of the Lord to our babies through pre-kindergarten children. Stephanie's prayer is for all parents to say, "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in the truth. 3 John 1:4"

Matthew 19:14 Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."

"To shape an adult…reach a child"

Judy began serving at Morningside Baptist Church in May 2008. She is married to Brian and together they have five children: Patrick, Paul, Lisa, Amy, Matthew and a new daughter-in-law, Mallory. Her favorite verse is Psalm 19:14 - "Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer."

Karen has been our Financial Secretary since 2007. She is married to Fred and God has blessed them with two children, Lori and David, and two grandchildren, Peyton and Jackson. Her favorite scripture verse is Philippians 4:6 - "Be careful for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God."