Leadership

Jared was born in Gainesville, Florida.  He has lived throughout Central and North Florida but has called Trenton his home since 1998.  Jared earned his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Florida and Master of Divinity from the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.

Jared is married to his beautiful wife Kelly, whom he met while serving as the Collegiate Pastor at Pine Grove Baptist Church.  They married in the summer of 2011.  God has blessed them with two children, Grayson, in January 2013 and Eliza in April of 2016.
Jared is an avid dove hunter, diligent reader and a hopeless runner!

John Bongiovanni has been a part of Pine Grove Baptist Church since 2005, where he has found a deep sense of community and spiritual growth. Married to his wife Susan since 1998, their union has been blessed with three sons – Kyle, Antonio, and Zach, Daughter In-law Jessica – and three beloved grandchildren.

In his role as Associate Minister at Pine Grove Baptist Church, John is dedicated to helping others find and follow Jesus. His passion for ministry extends beyond the church walls as he actively engages with the community to spread the message of faith, love, and redemption.

Outside of his ministerial duties, John leads an active lifestyle, participating in Ironman events that challenge him both physically and mentally. The combination of swimming, biking, and running not only reflects his commitment to personal well-being but also serves as a testament to the discipline and perseverance he brings to all aspects of his life.

With a heart for service and a spirit of endurance, John Bongiovanni tries to inspire those around him to pursue a meaningful relationship with Christ and embrace a life dedicated to faith and purpose. Through his family, ministry, and athletic pursuits, John tries to exemplify a life centered on love, leadership, and the pursuit of spiritual excellence. 

Emanuel was born in Spartanburg SC.  He has lived throughout Central and North Florida but has called Gilchrist County his home since 1999.  Emanuel earned his Bachelor of Religious Studies and Christian Education degree from Florida Baptist College and Master of Divinity from the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.  He has been a Board Certified Chaplain since 2019.  Throughout his ministry he has served five churches as a support pastor, and as a hospice and hospital chaplain for the last eight years.  He now returns to the PGCB where he served for almost 13 years and still calls it his home church.

Emanuel is married to his beautiful wife Jan, whom he met while serving as the Worship and Education Pastor in Ocala, FL .  They married in the fall of 1986.  God has blessed them with three  children, Lacy, Caleb and Grace and two wonderful grandchildren Hayden (11) and Addilyn (14).  Emanuel enjoys fishing, traveling, watching Gator football and spending time with family.

Joshua has been a part of the Uprising team since 2017 and  transitioned into the position of Youth Minister in January 2021.  Joshua obtained his Bachelors degree in Pastoral Leadership with an Emphasis in Youth Ministry from Lee University in 2020.
Together with his wife Hannah, Josh is committed to seeing students come to Jesus and learn how to love others the way Christ loves us.

Joshua and Hannah welcomed their sweet baby girl, Ezra Joy, into the world in March of 2024.

In his free time he loves to play basketball, watch sports, and play video games. He loves Fantasy football, Florida State,  Chick-Fil-A, and tacos of any kind! You can place a safe bet that on any given day you will find Joshua repping some sporting gear!

Kevin was born in Riverdale, Georgia.  He has lived throughout Georgia and North Florida but has called Newberry home since 2016.  Kevin earned his Bachelor of Theology degree from Trinity Baptist College and Andersonville Theological Seminary.

Kevin is married to his beautiful wife Jennifer, whom he met serving at a church in Atlanta, GA.  They married in the summer of 1996.  God has blessed them with two girls, Sydney in 1999 and Mykenzie in 2003.  They have an amazing son in law and a beautiful granddaughter Hallie Mae!

Kevin loves to play golf, eat any kind of Mexican food and loves anything to do with those Georgia Bulldogs.  GO DAWGS!!

Antonio Bongiovanni is the skilled Front of House Sound Engineer at Pine Grove Baptist Church. Antonio has been an active member of the Pine Grove community since 2005, where his journey began as a vibrant and dedicated youth participant.
Having gone through the church's youth group, Antonio's musical talents grew as he played guitar in the youth band for five impactful years. His love for music spans across various genres, and his passion for sound engineering has become a vital contribution to the worship experience at Pine Grove Baptist Church.

Beyond the realm of audio engineering, Antonio finds joy and relaxation in the great outdoors. A nature enthusiast, he loves hiking on the Appalachian Trail, taking in the breathtaking mountain scenery. Fishing is another cherished pastime that allows him to connect with nature and unwind from the demands of daily life.

Antonio's commitment to both his church community and his interests outside of it paints a picture of a well-rounded individual. Whether fine-tuning the sound for worship services or exploring the mountains, Antonio Bongiovanni brings enthusiasm, talent, and a deep sense of connection to everything he does.

Courtney was born in Lake Wales, Florida but has lived in Trenton for most of her life. She earned a Bachelors degree in History from Liberty University in 2018. Courtney is a former dental hygienist and current 1st grade teacher. She has been involved in various ministries at Pine Grove for 15 years and has been on staff as a worship leader since 2021. She has a passion for worship and has a Masters degree in Worship Studies with a concentration in Leadership through Liberty University. In her free time, Courtney likes to spend time at the Ichetucknee River, travel, and do puzzles.

Tiffany has deep roots at Pine Grove Baptist—her great-great-great-grandfather, Pastor Simeon Sheffield, was the founding pastor, so technically she came with the building.

After a few scenic detours in life, God made sure she ended up right back where she belongs: home. She’s been married to her husband, Robert, since 2021 (together since 2017), and they’re raising four kids under one roof—with a fifth who doesn’t live with them but still keeps life interesting. One of which most folks know better as “Hulk.”.

Tiffany enjoys reading, thrift shopping, and hopes to finally take a full family photo… if she can get all the kids in one place and looking the same direction at the same time.