Christmas at Lakes Church

Our Staff

OUR Lead Pastor

Dr. Aaron D. Burgner

Dr. Aaron D. Burgner currently serves as Lead Pastor of Lakes Church in Lakeland, Florida, where he has faithfully ministered since 2017. Under his leadership, Lakes Church has grown to a thriving congregation of over 3,000 members committed to spreading the gospel locally and globally. 

At the core of Dr. Burgner’s ministry is his unwavering commitment to Christ-centered biblical exposition and the fulfillment of the Great Commission. Under his leadership at Lakes Church, there has been a renewed emphasis on equipping and mobilizing members for global missions work, maintaining the church’s rich legacy of Gospel impact in Lakeland and beyond. 

EXECUTIVE STAFF

Pastor Dwayne McDow

Executive Pastor

Pastor Marc Roath

Executive Pastor of Ministries

Pastor Alex Davis

Teaching / Multiplication Pastor

Lead Staff

Pastor Michael Robinson

Auburndale Campus Pastor

Pastor Mark Creech

South Campus Pastor

Pastor Phil Young

Mature Adult Pastor and Stewardship Pastor

Pastor German Rivas

Auburndale en Español Campus Pastor

Pastor Jedidiah Faulkner

Associate Pastor of Worship

Seth Miller

Kids Minister

Cole Sanchez

Student Minister

Ministry assistants

Beth Miller

Ministry Assistant to the Senior Pastor

Kelly Glogower

Executive Pastor Assistant

Tammy Frisbie

Ministry Assistant to the Executive Pastor of Ministries

Kathy Ames

Mature Adult Ministry Assistant

Diana Puente

Lakes Church en Español Pastor Ministry Assistant

Sarah Sloop

Student Ministry Admin. Assistant

Campus Pastors

Pastor Michael Robinson

Auburndale Campus Pastor

Pastor Mark Creech

South Campus Pastor

Gordon Sun

South Campus Minister

Pastor German Rivas

Lakes Church en Español Auburndale Campus

Pastor Phil Young

Cypress Lakes Campus Pastor

Pastor Marco T. Ramirez

Lakes Church en Español South Lakeland Campus

Worship and Production Ministries Team

Pastor Jedidiah Faulkner

Associate Pastor of Worship

Jay Ballard

Technology Director

Lee Lethers

A/V Specialist

Sundar Vaffis

South Student/Worship Minister

Amanda Terry

Auburndale Worship Leader

Larry Butts

Worship Associate

Mauro Oblitas

Downtown Campus/Spanish Worship Leader

Next Generation Ministries Team 

Seth Miller

Kids Minister

Brittany Faulkner

KIDS JR Director

Raleigh Hill

Kids Ministry Associate

Jessie Dougherty

Ministry Assistant to Kids and Kids Jr. Ministries

Cindy Casteel

Nursery Coordinator

.

Britney Kirby

Kids Ministry Director, South Campus

Amy Dillman

KIDS JR Director, Auburndale Campus

Cole Sanchez

Student Minister

Andrew Long

Downtown Student Associate

Chris Gammon

Auburndale Student Minister

Kent Lambert

Young Adults & College Minister

Connections Ministry Team

Pastor Andrew McDow

Discipleship Pastor

Pastor Phil Young

Mature Adult Pastor and Stewardship Pastor

Kathy Ames

Mature Adult Ministry Assistant

Dawn Hancock

Wonderfully Made Ministry

Pam Cook

Event Coordinator

Missions

Pastor Caleb Lain

Pam Cook

Missions Pastor Assistant

Pastor Matt Nipper

Local Missions Pastor

Caroline Nipper

Local Missions Pastor Assistant

Communications

Christine Batchelder

Communications Director

Cailey Lambert

Communications Team Associate 

Steve Antley

Ministries Associate

Sharon Wiesbrock

Print Shop Manager

Elizabeth Rios

Print Shop

Administration

Cari Danforth

HR Director

Sabrina Fambrough

Accounting Director

Sandi Young

Accounting Assistant/Receptionist

Sandra Saunders

Receptionist

Facilities Team

Greg Hieronymus

Facilities Director

Steve Pointer

Facilities

Stephanie Haulcomb

Facilities

Raquel Blevins

Facilities

Chad Phillippi

Facilities

Markus Ortiz

Facilities

Dustin Williams

Facilities

Charlie Traylor

Facilities

Ricky Pagod

Facilities

Lisa Delph

Facilities

Dr. Aaron D. Burgner

Senior Pastor

Ministry Leadership & Service 

Dr. Aaron D. Burgner currently serves as Senior Pastor of Lakes Church in Lakeland, Florida, where he has faithfully ministered since 2017. Under his leadership, Lakes Church has grown to a thriving congregation of over 3,000 members committed to spreading the gospel locally and globally. 

With more than 25 years of pastoral experience, Dr. Burgner has demonstrated exceptional leadership across various ministry contexts. 

Dr. Burgner has distinguished himself through significant service to Southern Baptists at the state level: 

  • Three-term President, Florida Baptist State Board of Missions (2022-2025) 
  • President, Florida Baptist Pastors’ Conference (2024) 

His consistent leadership within the Florida Baptist Convention demonstrates both his administrative capabilities and the high regard in which he is held by his peers throughout the state. 

Educational Background 

  • Doctor of Ministry in Christ-Centered Exposition, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary (2019) 
  • Honorary Doctorate, Louisiana Baptist University 
  • Master of Divinity, Liberty University (2009) 
  • Bachelor of Science in Church Leadership, Southeastern University 

Personal Life & Family 

Dr. Burgner came to know Christ personally at age 7 and received his call to ministry at 17. Since December 30, 2000, he has been married to Tiffany Evers Burgner, who partners with him in ministry through her active involvement in women’s ministry and missions at Lakes Church. 

Together, they have been blessed with: 

  • Son: Titus Burgner and daughter-in-law Sydney Burgner 
  • Daughter: Haven Burgner 
  • Grandson: Reed Burgner 

Ministry Vision & Heart 

At the core of Dr. Burgner’s ministry is his unwavering commitment to Christ-centered biblical exposition and the fulfillment of the Great Commission. Under his leadership at Lakes Church, there has been a renewed emphasis on equipping and mobilizing members for global missions work, maintaining the church’s rich legacy of Gospel impact in Lakeland and beyond. 

Dr. Burgner has demonstrated consistent dedication to keeping God’s Word central in all aspects of ministry while developing and empowering others for Kingdom service. His leadership style combines theological depth with practical application, and his heart for pastors is evident through his mentorship of younger ministers and support of colleagues.