The Role of Elders at Journey Christian Church
When we read the New Testament, evidence indicates that churches had a plurality of Elders (Acts 11:30; 20:17; Philippians 1:1, 1 Timothy 5:17; Titus 1:5). In Paul’s First Epistle to Timothy, he writes, “Whoever aspires to be an overseer desires a noble task.” But what do Elders do?
First, Elders pray (Acts 6:4; James 5:14). Elders plead for the people of God under their care. To speak to people for God, Elders must speak to God for people. They consistently pray for them, and per James 5, they anoint and pray over any church member who requests it.
In addition, Elders lead. Journey Christian Church is an Elder-led organization. The Elder Team determines Journey’s Vision and has authority over and responsibility for our doctrinal integrity. The day-to-day responsibility for the functions of the church, including the various ministries and carrying out our vision and mission, is delegated through the appointment and employment of our Lead Pastor, Pastor Dustin Aagaard. Our Elders pray for and support Pastor Dustin and annually evaluate his success in ensuring doctrinal integrity, carrying out the vision & mission of Journey Christian Church, and his compliance with the limitations outlined in our governance policies.
Furthermore, Elders provide financial and legal oversight. The ultimate responsibility of financial oversight lies with the Elder Team, primarily because they are the biblical shepherds and overseers of Journey and, additionally, because all boards of non-profits have a fiduciary responsibility for organizational oversight.
Finally, Elders lead by example (Hebrews 13:7; Titus 2:7). Elders lead by their example of obeying Christ and modeling Christian maturity. They are to keep a close watch on their doctrine, themselves, and their families (1 Timothy 3:2-7, 4:12, 4:16; Titus 1:6-9).
“The Elder team and the Elder Governance Policies at Journey are among my favorite things about Journey. They ensure health, accountability, and wisdom for the church and its leadership to do its job in a Biblical and healthy manner. Our Elder positions are volunteer positions, and these men of God take their role seriously, as they should. They take praying for you and leading Journey as a top honor that they steward with reverence and humility. May we pray for and support them as they pray for and lead us.”
-Pastor Dustin
If you have any questions for our Elder Team, please feel free to contact them at elders@journeychristian.com.
First, Elders pray (Acts 6:4; James 5:14). Elders plead for the people of God under their care. To speak to people for God, Elders must speak to God for people. They consistently pray for them, and per James 5, they anoint and pray over any church member who requests it.
In addition, Elders lead. Journey Christian Church is an Elder-led organization. The Elder Team determines Journey’s Vision and has authority over and responsibility for our doctrinal integrity. The day-to-day responsibility for the functions of the church, including the various ministries and carrying out our vision and mission, is delegated through the appointment and employment of our Lead Pastor, Pastor Dustin Aagaard. Our Elders pray for and support Pastor Dustin and annually evaluate his success in ensuring doctrinal integrity, carrying out the vision & mission of Journey Christian Church, and his compliance with the limitations outlined in our governance policies.
Furthermore, Elders provide financial and legal oversight. The ultimate responsibility of financial oversight lies with the Elder Team, primarily because they are the biblical shepherds and overseers of Journey and, additionally, because all boards of non-profits have a fiduciary responsibility for organizational oversight.
Finally, Elders lead by example (Hebrews 13:7; Titus 2:7). Elders lead by their example of obeying Christ and modeling Christian maturity. They are to keep a close watch on their doctrine, themselves, and their families (1 Timothy 3:2-7, 4:12, 4:16; Titus 1:6-9).
“The Elder team and the Elder Governance Policies at Journey are among my favorite things about Journey. They ensure health, accountability, and wisdom for the church and its leadership to do its job in a Biblical and healthy manner. Our Elder positions are volunteer positions, and these men of God take their role seriously, as they should. They take praying for you and leading Journey as a top honor that they steward with reverence and humility. May we pray for and support them as they pray for and lead us.”
-Pastor Dustin
If you have any questions for our Elder Team, please feel free to contact them at elders@journeychristian.com.
Sheel Amin
Jenefer and I have been happily married for 11 years and are blessed with two wonderful boys, Ashton and Noah. On top of being an amazing mom to our boys, Jenefer works part-time at the boys’ school, Orangewood Christian School. I have worked as a certified public accountant for 12 years and I am currently working at Darden Restaurants in their Corporate Tax department. Jenefer and I are very passionate about local and global missions and were grateful to go on our first mission trip as a family last summer with Journey in Ecuador. I have served in the Journey High School Ministry for 8 years and as a table leader at Man-Zone.
Wayne Hobbs
Karen and I have been members at Journey Christian Church for 5 years and love serving our Lord and Savior in whatever role He puts us in. We are celebrating 12 years of marriage. We own an Aerospace Engineering Consultant business, and I traveled extensively until recently. Karen worked as an Executive Assistant, and even worked on the Journey staff for a time. You’ll find Karen serving on the Connections Team and will see me on the Worship Team. We have enjoyed leading Rooted Groups and leading a life group. We love Journey Christian Church and look forward to continuing to be a part of God’s plan for our church family.
Robin McCart
Kimberly and I have been married for three years. We are blessed with four adult children, and nine grandchildren. I work as the nuclear sales manager in Central Florida for Jubilant Radiopharma and worked in a variety of capacities for GE Healthcare in previous years. Kimberly has a degree in herbology and works as a health care consultant. For many years, she worked in the financial services industry. We are in our third year being a part of the Journey family. Prior to moving to Florida just over three years ago, I lived in the far western Chicago suburbs and was very involved at Chapelstreet Church in Geneva, Illinois in senior leadership roles, student ministries, and missions. We both attended Meadowbrook Christian Church in Ocala for a time before relocating to Mount Dora. Kimberly served periodically as a greeter there. At Journey, we have been connecting in various ways. We went through Rooted together and then co-led a group the following session. When needed, we help out with the Connections Team.
Brian McIntosh
Lori and I have been happily married for nearly 22 years and are blessed with two wonderful sons – Zachary and Carson. On top of being an amazing mother to Zachary and Carson, Lori works full time as an Admissions Coordinator at Trinity Christian School in Apopka. I have worked in the Information Technology industry for over 25 years, and I am currently working at AdventHealth in their IT Project Management Office leading strategic acquisitions and growth projects. I am very passionate about serving in our community, and have been grateful to lead and participate in many opportunities over the 18 years we’ve attended Journey. One of the most rewarding opportunities was leading the Journey Golf Go-Group for over 5 years. This opportunity allowed many of our church family members to combine golf with serving, giving, and fellowship, where we grew as a community of golfers on a life changing journey with Jesus.
Randy Scoggins
My wife, Marie, and I have been attending Journey for nearly 7 years. We have been happily married for over 38 years and are long time followers and servants of Jesus Christ. We have 3 grown children and 5 grandchildren. We are both retired; Marie from a 25-year career in sales within the hospitality/vacation industry and myself from a 40-year career in law enforcement. I served for 25 years in Orlando, retiring as Deputy Chief of Police in 1999. We then moved from Southeast Orlando to Mount Dora, where I was the Chief of Police for 15 years.
We love being part of the Journey family and both of us serve at Journey. Marie serves in the Children’s Ministry and I have served in a number of capacities including Security, as a leader in various Men’s Ministries, and leading a Life Group. I’m honored to currently serve on the elder team, and am in my 4th year. I recently became Chairman of the team. We continue to live in Mount Dora and primarily attend the Lake County Campus. We currently lead a Life Group in Lake County and have completed Rooted.
We love being part of the Journey family and both of us serve at Journey. Marie serves in the Children’s Ministry and I have served in a number of capacities including Security, as a leader in various Men’s Ministries, and leading a Life Group. I’m honored to currently serve on the elder team, and am in my 4th year. I recently became Chairman of the team. We continue to live in Mount Dora and primarily attend the Lake County Campus. We currently lead a Life Group in Lake County and have completed Rooted.
Kennie Armstead
Kennie and his wife, Alexandra, have been happily married for 20 years. They have five adult children and a younger daughter still at home. They also have 6 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. They began attending Journey Christian Church in October of 2018. Kennie was baptized here on November 18, 2018. Alexandra is a Registered Nurse and works for the Advent Health system. Kennie worked in the New York City Jail system for thirty years until he retired in 2017. Kennie has served on 6 different teams within Journey. He has also led Rooted groups and served as a project manager for Serve Day.
Denny Winship
Denny has served as a youth leader, teacher, and also as an Elder with previous churches. In September of 2015, Denny began attending Journey Christian Church. He quickly joined a Life Group and met his future wife, Rosa. They are both graduates of Rooted. They are part of our Lake County Campus, where Denny serves on our Security team, and Rosa serves with Journey Kids. In 2014, Denny retired from Lockheed Martin, and that same year, his wife Rosa retired from the New York City School System. Denny and Rosa were married in 2019 and have a total of seven adult children and eight grandchildren.