Our Staff

The staff of First UMC of Lutz is here to help equip, teach, nurture, and minister to our church family at all times. If there is any way that we can serve you better, please contact us directly at 813-949-1751. You may also contact us via email. Thank you for the privilege of serving you each and every day.

 

REV. CHRIS KIRK – SR PASTOR x240 PastorChris@FantasticFirst.org

 
Pastor Chris was appointed to Fantastic First 7/1/2020. He has served in churches in Florida, Texas and England! He was born in England and grew up in Leicester, right in the center of the U.K. He gave his life to Christ the spring of 1986 and was almost immediately gripped by the Biblical command, “Let God demonstrate His sovereign power!” (Zechariah 4:6). Over the next few years he had a spell working as a cattle-hand on an Israeli Kibbutz (including Christmas spent in Bethlehem), a summer serving in a Tanzanian leprosy village and three months working on the Jersey shore (Ocean Grove, New Jersey). This latter experience, coming part way through his Masters’ degree, was his first visit to the United States. His love of the country was born! Thankfully, Heather, his wife, shared this same affection, having already enjoyed two extensive US trips prior to their meeting.
 
Heather is a local ICU nurse, and loves Children’s Ministry.  They have two sons.  Ethan was born in Sheffield, England, and is currently a High School Student.  Caleb was born in Safety Harbor, Florida. So, yes, they have one Brit and one American!

Pastor Chris attended Wesley Seminary in Bristol, England, and has studied at Asbury Theological Seminary in Orlando. His interests include Disney, “football” namely Leicester City, movies, travel and trying to keep up with his boys on Mario Kart 8 or Castle Crashers. Pastor Chris says, “I am honored that God has called me to serve at Fantastic First, Lutz. I am truly looking forward to getting to know you, starting this summer!”

You can watch his sermons on our homepage, and get to know him more at www.fantasticfirst.org/pastorchris

Kim Beasley – Church Administrator – x221 Kim@fantasticfirst.org

 
Kim joined our staff in March 2023. She has a bachelor’s degree from USF in Organizational Development.
She began her work journey at  JPMorgan Chase as a Training and Development Manager where she  implemented new brands, trained corporate classes, and managed an amazing team of 15 professionals. After her position was outsourced, she worked several years as an independent contractor for multiple companies, allowing her flexibility to raise  3 little ones.
Over the last 10 years she has been blessed to work as a Business Manager helping smaller companies build their businesses by implementing
procedure manuals, operating systems, hiring and training the right staff. 
Her passion for Christ has been evident in all of her business and family life.  
She is always willing to share her knowledge and skills along with her love of God. 
 
“My husband and I are Highschool sweethearts and have been married for soon to be 31 years. I am a proud mother of two daughters and one son (whom I can talk about for hours!) I love connecting with people and will always lend an ear and hand to anyone in need.”

Dee Denham – Communications Coordinator – x222 dee@fantasticfirst.org

 
Dee joined the staff on 7/7/2020, in a newly created position of Communications Coordinator. She will be responsible for our print and digital communications, including social media. These crazy COVID times have moved a lot of our ministry out of the building and into cyberspace, where we are connecting and zooming on multiple platforms.
 
Whether online or in person, you will find Dee to be very competent and especially friendly!  She has been part of our church since joining in 2013, and is active as a youth parent/chaperone, heads up our Acolyte ministry, attends Bible studies, is in our handbell choir, serves with our kitchen ministry, and more.  Dee is smart, cool under pressure, and has a positive, can-do attitude.  We are blessed to have her on board.
 
Dee has a grown daughter, Alysia, and a High School Student, Sofia. She also has four granddaughters she refers to as her “gaggle of girlies”, Mideya, Evelyn, Aleigha & Naieli.

 

Sheri Koyles – Youth Director – x230 youth@FantasticFirst.org

 
Sheri is a Florida native who has returned to her roots after 20 years of wandering. She joined our team in July 2021, with 25 years of youth ministry experience.   She received a call to ministry at age 16, and has followed it ever since serving in Texas and Indiana. Her spiritual gifts are teaching, preaching, and hospitality.
 
She met her husband John in college, and they have been nomads since then. They have two children. Aydan is married and lives in Indiana, Karis attends Florida Southern.  They also have two dogs, and enjoy hiking and going to the beach.

Janell Lockhart – Christian Education Director – x234 janell@fantasticfirst.org

 
Janell and her family joined our church in the summer of ’99. In July of 2008, Janell left the corporate world and accepted the position as Youth Director here at First Lutz. In Nov. 2014, she was promoted to Christian Education Director. Her organization skills and desire to help people of all ages deepen their walk with Christ, make her especially equipped for this position.
 
Janell also believes in being Servant-minded. Volunteering at the local food pantry and clothes closet or handing out peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, coffee and blankets to the homeless impacts the world around us.
 
Janell has a BA in Marketing from the University of South Florida, and has 22 years of experience in Human Resources. Janell completed the intense Youth program from the Youth Ministry Institute in 2012.
Janell married her high school sweetheart, John, the week following their graduation from the University of South Florida in 1986.

Cliff Longcoy – Worship Arts Director – cliff@fantasticfirst.org

 
Classical pianist Cliff Longcoy made his debut in the world performing at charity concerts and various local churches throughout his teenage years. He made his national debut placing second in America’s teen talent competition.
 
Cliff made his concerto debut with the Florida orchestra at 17 as part of their young artist competition. Shortly after, he performed with the USF orchestra and with the Bergen Philharmonic. He has been a loved visitor in Norway every year since.
 
At the age of 19, Cliff made his first concert tour in Japan, playing at churches and universities throughout Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka. Other countries he has performed in include Luxembourg, France, Norway, Germany, and England. Some notable halls include King Georges Hall in London, Berliner Philharmonie, the Bergen Hall in Norway, and the Mahaffey Theater, Ruth Eckerd Hall, and Stratz Center in Tampa.
 
In addition to performing solo classical and Christian concerts, Cliff Longcoy has played with and accompanied world-renown bands such as Celtic Woman and Andrea Bocelli.
Cliff received his piano degree from University of South Florida in Tampa, Florida where he resides today.
 
We are so fortunate to have the talented Cliff Longcoy on our staff. In addition to being a world-class concert pianist, he loves Jesus and is a huge blessing to our church.
 
You can listen to some of his recordings and devotionals at www.fantasticfirst.org/cliff

Avery Dorsey – Nursery Coordinator

 
The babies just LOVE Avery!  She’s been with us since Jan. 2022, and we all love her! You’ll see her in the nursery on Sunday mornings and Wednesday evenings, when we have classes.  
 
 
 

 

 
 

 

Mandi Blansett – Nursery Coordinator

Mandi joined the staff in March of 2023.
Mandi has been a Christian all her life as her grandfather was a Lutheran pastor. When she was 18 she started to believe on her own.
She has been married for almost 3 years to her husband Zach and they will be welcoming their first child at the end of this year.
She is looking forward to helping with the babies in the nursery!