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Greenhouse
They walk with us in the valley, while fighting for us in the prayer room, and are there to celebrate with us on the mountaintops, all while praising Jesus our source. These are our people. Wayne & Ingrid Carney
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Mike Patz

Lead Pastor

Born in Ohio and raised in St. Petersburg, Mike’s life took a dramatic turn as a freshman at the University of Florida. He connected with Jesus, began his faith journey, and got involved with what is now the Greenhouse Church. He has served as a youth leader, youth pastor, associate pastor, and lead pastor. He is married to his Puerto Rican bride, Ruth (Rivera), and they have been fruitful and multiplied, having eight children. Mike is a lover of innovation, leadership, cultures, languages, communication, sports, and chocolate. He is spending his life for the sake of souls, disciples, justice, and nations. But his deepest passion is his first love: knowing Jesus. He blogs at Mikepatz.com.

352-376-6992
mpatz@greenhousechurch.org

Robbie Johnson

Executive Pastor

Robbie encountered the love of Jesus in the Sante Fe College library on July 7, 1998. After completing his degree in business at the University of Florida, Robbie participated in our internship program for 2 years, married his amazing wife Amanda, and joined our staff as youth pastor in 2002. Robbie now oversees all our macro-church gatherings and the University Campus. Robbie and Amanda have two children, Anna and Matthew. He was also a part of 2 Greenhouse Basketball League Championship teams.

352-376-6992
rjohnson@greenhousechurch.org

BYRON WILLIAMS

HUB DIRECTOR

Byron was raised in Chicago, IL. He moved to Jackson, MS just before starting high school. He had several encounters with God at a young age and tried to establish himself in Christ as a young adult. Although he had a heart to follow God, he lacked strong, consistent, close Godly influences in his life. It wasn’t until his 3rd year as a student at Mississippi State University where he connected with other believers at a local campus ministry that his life in Christ began to flourish. He met and then married the brilliant and beautiful Lakiesha Claude in 2005. 

Byron and Lakiesha both went on to complete doctoral degrees and worked several years as professors at MSU. In 2018 they accepted faculty positions at the University of Florida and moved with their amazing daughters, Sophia and Sage to Gainesville. Byron joined the Greenhouse staff in May of 2021 after almost 3 years as an Associate Professor in Computer & Information Science & Engineering at UF. Byron has a strong desire for wisdom and a high capacity for building systems. His favorite Bible stories are those that feature  Joseph, Solomon, and Daniel, men who relied on God’s wisdom to impact their worlds. 

Byron enjoys all things tech, writing software programs, watching movies, and hanging out with his family.  

bwilliams@greenhousechurch.org

Julie Pagan

Human Resources and Operations Director

Julie moved to Gainesville in 2007 from New York with her two lovely children, Brittany and Jared. Julie was a Greenhouse Church volunteer for over 5 years before joining the staff in November of 2012. She handles Operations at Greenhouse including Sunday services, Breakthrough Weekends, Arnold’s Missions Cafe, and the development of future satellite churches. Julie loves the NY Yankees!

352-376-6992
jpagan@greenhousechurch.org

Andrea Levings

Missions Director

Andrea moved to Gainesville to attend the University of Florida after earning degrees in Biochemistry and Psychology from Jacksonville University. After finishing school at UF, she joined the Greenhouse Internship (now the school of ministry) before coming on staff at Greenhouse Church. Andrea is passionate about Biblical justice and missions. She loves teaching the Bible and seeing people come alive as they discover and follow their call to make disciples of all nations. Andrea loves experiencing new cultures, outdoor adventures, all woodland creatures, finding legitimate Middle Eastern food in the US, and Daniel Sarafan.
 

alevings@greenhousechurch.org

Matt Ulrich

Microchurch Pastor

Matt was born and raised in Vero Beach, FL. Not coming from a Christian home, he met Jesus through an elderly woman in a Savannah ghetto in 1999. Since then, he has been trying to follow Jesus while avoiding the snares of Christendom. He graduated from UF with a B.A in World Religions, attended Fuller Seminary where he received his M.A. in Crosscultural Studies, and graduated from Southeastern University with his Doctorate of Ministry. Matt joined the Greenhouse staff in January of 2008 as the microchurch pastor. He has a heart and passion for God-seeking, discipleship, and multiplication.  He is married to his more beautiful half, Tracy, and has two daughters, Alethea and Adalie.

352-376-6992
mulrich@greenhousechurch.org

Mike Lane

Nextgen/College Pastor

Mike was born and raised in Jacksonville, Fl. He came to Gainesville in 2007 to attend the University of Florida. In the fall of 2009, Mike encountered Jesus in a big way, and his life would never be the same. Mike has an incredible love for students and desires to see students utilize the gifts God has given them. Mike is married to his childhood best friend, Danielle.

352-376-6992
mlane@greenhousechurch.org

Sarah Dey

Executive Assistant

Sarah was born in Miami, Florida and grew up in Orlando before moving to Gainesville to attend the University of Florida in 2010. After graduating from UF, she spent a year in the Greenhouse Internship before joining the Tech, Production and Communications team for 4 years. She now serves as an assistant and project manager to the Executive Team. Sarah is currently pursing a master’s degree in clinical and neuropsychology, and loves traveling, softball, babies, group fitness, Spanish, and the Chicago Cubs; and spends much of her time as a freelance photographer and fitness instructor.

(407) 782-9457
sdey@greenhousechurch.org

Renee Handtke

Care Pastor

Renee is passionate about worship and discipleship. She has been ministering since 1990 and earned an M. A. in Practical Theology at Regent University in 2004. She spent several years in Moscow, Russia as a missionary with her husband, Phil, and after returning to Florida in 1994 she continued to travel to numerous nations ministering the beauty of the Gospel message. She loves seeing people connected to God, each other, and serving in the kingdom. She has two daughters, five grandchildren, and enjoys interior design.

352-376-6992
rhandtke@greenhousechurch.org

Ruth Patz

Prayer and Counseling Director

Born in Puerto Rico, Ruth moved to Florida in 1989 and connected with Greenhouse with her mom. She married Mike Patz in 1994 and they’ve been on an adventure ever since. She’s passionate about emotionally healthy spirituality, prayer, healing, and the supernatural. Ruth loves to read and play volleyball, and spending time with Mike and their 8 children.

rpatz@greenhousechurch.org

Oscar RoCHE

Prayer & School of Ministry Pastor

Oscar has been serving the Lord since he was 10 years old. He was an entrepreneur the last 20 years and transitioned into full-time ministry in 2008.  He moved to Gainesville, Florida from Kansas City, Missouri in 2012.  He has traveled and ministered all across the nation preaching and teaching on the glory of Christ and the cost of discipleship. His passion and mission are to serve and equip the body of Christ. He is committed to see Jesus Christ be formed in this generation through the expression of night and day prayer & worship, and the adoring study of the Word of God (Gal. 4:19, Col. 1:18). 

He currently serves as the Greenhouse Church Prayer Pastor and Greenhouse School of Ministry Student Pastor. He is an ordained minister and has been married for over 30 years to his bride, Nancy.  They have two daughters, son-in-law and are recently proud grandparents.  His favorite past times are hanging out with his family, playing softball, fishing, and studying the Bible.

oroche@greenhousechurch.org

Tiffany Kuhne

Senior Adult Outreach Coordinator

Tiffany was born and raised in Gainesville. She gave her life to Jesus at Greenhouse while in college in 2014. God softened and broke her heart for what breaks his during the 2015 Greenhouse Summer Internship. God ignited a purpose in her to reach senior adults in nursing homes and remind them of God’s faithfulness and that he has not forgotten them nor has he forsaken them. For the next three years, God continued to grow Tiffany and prepare her for this calling. God moved her into global missions for a year and continued to burden her heart for senior adults. Tiffany returned home and did the year-long internship in 2017 where this calling was confirmed. Now she works in full-time ministry with local outreach to senior adults. Tiffany loves her husband Dylan, her cat Luna, and fashion.

tkuhne@greenhousechurch.org

Wendy Roche

Local Missions Coordinator

Wendy was raised in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, and moved to West Palm Beach, FL, in her early teenage years. In 2006, Wendy relocated to Gainesville to attend the University of Florida, where God radically transformed her life. At UF, she earned her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Family, Youth and Community Sciences with a concentration in Nonprofit Organizational Leadership.

Before joining our staff, Wendy completed the Greenhouse Internship. Her passion is to see others, especially youth, rise to their full potential and know their identity in Christ. Currently, Wendy coordinates the various local missions initiatives in East Gainesville. She enjoys cooking new recipes, learning about different cultures, traveling, and being outdoors with her journal or a good read.

352-376-6992
wroche@greenhousechurch.org

Tess Bottenhorn

Missions Mobilization Coordinator

Tess was born near Washington D.C. and grew up in Jacksonville, Florida. In 2013 she moved to Gainesville to attend the University of Florida, graduating with undergraduate degrees in Marketing and Classical Studies, and a Master’s in International Business. Growing up in a household that loved Jesus helped Tess build a relationship with God early on in her life. Even so, it wasn’t until her later years in college that she made the personal decision to follow him. After graduating, Tess joined the year-long Greenhouse Internship with a focus on Global Missions and Church Planting before transitioning onto staff. In her role, Tess creates systems to help mobilize the local church to do mission and helps coordinate outreach programs in her neighborhood in north Gainesville. Tess is passionate about the global church and reaching the unreached, advocating for the vulnerable, and seeing others well-equipped to do the same. She really loves being in rooms full of laughter, traveling and going on new adventures large and small, being outdoors, learning new things, immersing herself in new cultures, and spending time with her family, her friends, and her neighborhood; and making lists.
 

tbottenhorn@greenhousechurch.org

Patrick McConn

Interim Worship Director​

Patrick has been a part of our Greenhouse family since he was in Middle School, and a part of our Greenhouse staff family since early 2019. He serves as our Next Gen Worship Director, overseeing and leading the corporate worship experience for our College and Youth gatherings, developing and training future worship leaders, and working with our team to write and release new songs of worship from the heart of our church. Prior to returning to Gainesville, FL and Greenhouse, Patrick and his family lived in Atlanta, GA and were involved with and led on Passion City Church’s worship teams, and on leadership teams for Passion Conferences. While vocational ministry hasn’t always been a full-time career, his heart for learning about what it looks like to live a life postured in worship continues to deepen and grow. Patrick enjoys leading in worship together with his wife, Sally, spending time with loved ones, writing music, and raising their two children to love Jesus and the people around them with abandon.

pmcconn@greenhousechurch.org

Samara Godshalk

Kids Director

Samara was born and raised in Gainesville, FL at Greenhouse. She started following Jesus when she was just six years old, and has continued ever since! Samara moved to Orlando to attend the University of Central Florida and eventually moved back to Gainesville to pursue full time ministry. Samara is passionate about teaching children how to worship, pray for the sick, hear from God, and tell others about Him. She aspires to create an environment where all children have the opportunity to express their love for God and receive His love for them while becoming familiar with His presence. Samara loves her husband, Jared; together they enjoy leading worship, the beach, and spending time with their families.

sgodshalk@greenhousechurch.org

Bri Young

Kids Ministry Coordinator

Bri was born and raised in West Palm Beach, Fl. She came to know Jesus at the age of 11 and has been passionately following him ever since! After starting college in Massachusetts, she realized that the Lord had other plans and moved back to Gainesville in 2013 to continue her schooling. Bri connected with Greenhouse in the same year and her passion for children came alive! In 2014, she participated in the Greenhouse year-long internship and has been making disciples of youth and children ever since. Bri is passionate about all things kids, family discipleship, and wholeness. She loves sunsets, sunflowers, and puzzles!
 

Gaby Samaniego

GSM Coordinator

Gaby was born in Ecuador and moved to the United States when she was 6 years old. She lived in Tampa, Fl until she moved to Gainesville to attend the University of Florida. She is passionate about seeing people of all ages encounter the love of God, seeing them grow in intimacy with Him, and seeing them respond in worship and prayer. Gaby loves listening to live worship, spending time with her family, the beach, puzzles, plants, and doing random creative projects.
 

gsamaniego@greenhousechurch.org

Sherry Strickland

Bookkeeper

Sherry is responsible for bookkeeping. She is available during the week from 8AM – 3PM.

352-376-6992 ext. 205
accounting@greenhousechurch.org

Leilani Heisler

Financial & Operational Assistant

Leilani grew up in Archer, FL. She went to school at Santa Fe and Southeastern University to get her degree in Psychology. After 2 years of marriage to her husband Cody, God called them to Gainesville just in time to be a part of Greenhouse School of Ministry. She is now on our financial and operational teams and you can often see her serving at Arnold’s Cafe. She loves cooking, music, board games with friends, and spending time Cody and their dog, Shadow.

352-376-6992
lheisler@greenhousechurch.org

Betty Wilkinson

Operations Assistant

Betty has been with the Greenhouse staff for over 30 years and has enjoyed many roles during that time. She currently serves as the Operations Assistant. Betty is a widow, with 3 adult children and 8 grandchildren. Her hobbies include nature walks, cooking, and writing for her blog where she speaks candidly about her experience as a cancer survivor.  You can find Betty’s blog at bettywilkinsonblog.wordpress.com

352-376-6992
admin@greenhousechurch.org

Tim Welch

Facilities Director

Tim and his family moved to Gainesville in 1986 and began attending the Greenhouse Church in 1998. He is Greenhouse Churches facility director. He has served in various ministries, including Youth, Technical Production, and Breakthrough. Tim loves to golf, and is married to Tracey, and they have two children, T.J. & Leah.

352-376-6992
timwelch@greenhousechurch.org

Brooke Bauzon

Youth Pastor

Brooke was born and raised in Jacksonville, FL. She came to Gainesville in 2006 to attend the University of Florida where she received her Bachelor’s degree in Family, Youth, and Community Sciences. During her senior year at UF, she rediscovered and encountered the love and grace of Jesus Christ. This was when she connected with Greenhouse. She has a deep passion for youth and families, and loves watching people encounter God as they discover their gifts. Brooke loves road trips, the beach, coffee, and scaring people!

352-376-6992
bbauzon@greenhousechurch.org

Jared Godshalk

Technical Production Director

Jared was born and raised in Gainesville, FL and studied Show Production in Orlando. After working in New Orleans, he married his high school sweetheart, Samara, and in 2017 they moved back to Gainesville. Jared joined the Greenhouse staff shortly thereafter as the Technical Director, overseeing training and operations of the Tech Department. Jared enjoys leading worship with his wife, jazz music, and all things Google.

3523766992
jgodshalk@greenhousechurch.org

Cody Heisler

Technical Coordinator

Cody Heisler was born and raised in Ocala, Florida. He first began working in ministry in 2015 when the Lord called him to move to Sebring as a Tech intern. It was there that he married his wonderful wife, Leilani in 2017 and they continued to live in Sebring for two years. They felt the Lord calling them to move to Gainesville and shortly thereafter joined the Greenhouse School of Ministry Class of 2020 which deeply impacted the course of their lives. Cody began working as the Technical Coordinator in May 2021.
 

cheisler@greenhousechurch.org

Matt Benson

Graphic Designer

Matt was born in a jungle, carried around in a basket and has been exploring ever since. He is husband to an equally adventurous wife and dad to a beautiful daughter. He enjoys hiking, kayaking and exploring Florida wilderness, and is passionate about creativity and art and using them to help serve and connect people with Jesus.
 

mbenson@greenhousechurch.org

Sean Crawford

Video Producer

Sean was raised in Fernandina Beach, FL and graduated from the University of Florida with a degree in Telecommunications in 2012. After graduating college, Sean’s life hit rock bottom when he found himself hopeless, depressed and addicted to the lies of the world; that summer was the beginning of Sean’s pursuit of purpose, hope and truth, which he found in the life, death and resurrection of Yeshua. 

He moved back to Gainesville in the summer of 2013 to work for the UF athletic department – that’s where he was introduced to Greenhouse Church. Sean joined the Greenhouse staff at the beginning of 2017 and he has a hunger to tell others his story of redemption. Sean is passionate about biblical sexuality and is an admirer of the beach and food. He’s married to Val, the most beautiful & funny Colombiana on the planet.

(352) 376-6992
scrawford@greenhousechurch.org

Aya Fox

Graphic Designer

Aya was born and raised in Tallahassee, FL, and she first connected with Greenhouse Church in 2014 as a student at the University of Florida, later to graduate with a bachelor of science degree in Advertising in 2016. She enjoys learning about different cultures and languages and, in her free time, likes puzzles, hiking, journaling and illustration, cooking and gardening. Using her talents, Aya loves connecting others to God’s word through illustration and garden-inspired content. Aya, her husband and son love adventure and to explore the outdoors together. 
 

afox@greenhousechurch.org

Kem Jacob

Creative & Comms. Coordinator

Kem was born in Durban, South Africa, before moving to the United States in 2007 with his family. A pastor’s kid, Kem never thought he would end up working in ministry. But after a few years of working in the secular world, Kem felt called to ministry and joined the Greenhouse staff in 2020. Kem is a die-hard Chelsea FC supporter and an avid UFC fan.
 

kjacob@greenhousechurch.org

19 Brain Skills that Build Joyful Community

    1. Share Joy
    2. Simple Quiet
    3. Bonds for Two
    4. Appreciation
    5. Family Bonds
    6. Heart Values
    7. Synchronized Stories
    8. Maturity Levels
    9. Take a Breather
    10. Nonverbal Stories
    11. Return to Joy
    12. Act Like Myself
    13. See What God Sees
    14. Stop the Sark
    15. Interactive Quiet
    16. High and Low Energy
    17. Attachment Styles
    18. Five Levels of Pain
    19. Complex Emotions

From “Transforming Fellowship: 19 Skills That Build Joyful Community” by Chris M. Coursey