Our Pastors

Dr. Edgar Aponte is responsible to lead and oversees the global outreach of the church, that includes local ministries, national church planting, and international missions. Before he was called to serve Idlewild, he served as vice president of mobilization at the International Mission Board. Previous to IMB, Dr. Aponte served as director of Hispanic leadership development and professor of theology at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, where he taught Christian theology and biblical hermeneutics. Prior to SEBTS, Dr. Aponte served as Minister Counselor at the ministry of foreign affairs in Washington, D.C., on behalf of his home nation, the Dominican Republic. In addition to undergraduate and graduate degrees in business, he earned a Master of Divinity from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and a Ph.D. in Theological Studies from SEBTS. He loves the church, the nations, and teaching the Word of God. He is married to his bride Sara, and is the father of three children, and he loves spending time and playing with them.

Brandon was born in Jacksonville, Florida. He grew up in a home where both his parents loved Jesus, and taught him the truths of God’s Word. At a young age, he came to understand his sin and his need for a Savior, and it was then that he personally placed his faith and trust in Jesus Christ. During his JR year in high school, Brandon felt a very distinct call from the Lord on his life, and from that point forward based every life decision on that call. Through the Lord’s leading, Brandon attended the Word of Life Bible Institute, and then eventually came on staff with Word of Life International ministries for 17 years, working primarily with music, drama, and preaching. In November of 2019, Brandon left Word of Life to accept a full-time position on the Idlewild staff. Brandon has a passion for Jesus, authentic Christianity, and challenging unhealthy Church culture. He also has a deep love for music, children, evangelism, and encouraging God’s people to a deeper and more intimate walk with the Lord.

Tommy is a proud Tampa Bay native. His life changed at the age of nine when he became a follower of Jesus after hearing the gospel preached at Idlewild. God called Tommy to be a pastor at the age of ten, and in 2013 he began working in ministry. In 2019, the Lord opened up the door for Tommy to join Idlewild’s staff. Tommy holds a Master of Divinity from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, as well as a Bachelor’s degree in Pastoral Ministry. Tommy’s passion for pastoral ministry is fueled by his love for the Word of God and his desire to see people become increasingly captivated by the glory of God. In his free time, Tommy enjoys playing basketball, watching anime, thrifting, listening to rap, eating good food, and spending time with his best friend, his wife Natalia.

Andrew is a product of the investment of his church, its pastors, and its people. Andrew has a passion to see young students be made alive in Christ through the power of the Gospel, and through that gospel to recognize that their lives have significant, kingdom building purpose. Andrew believes that more important than where we go, is what we carry – and he teaches that we carry the name of Jesus Christ. Andrew has been on staff at Idlewild since 2007, and looks forward to the privilege of many more years of serving his Lord and his church.

Jeff was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio. After working in the corporate work space and while serving in ministry in various roles he sensed the calling of God in his life. God continued to stir his heart, and confirm his calling. It was then he accepted the call to shepherd Gods’ people full time. Since devoting his life to God, Jeff has over 20 years of experience in ministry. His goal is to see people come into a true relationship with Jesus Christ; knowing Him for themselves. He has ministered at local churches in both Cleveland and Tampa Florida, with the most recent being Idlewild Baptist Church where he has been serving since 2017. He loves spending time with his wife Sheryl and kids, reading books, fishing, playing video games, and watching movies.

Wade took the long path to full-time ministry. After a full career as a banker; he joined the staff at Idlewild in February, 2014. Wade and Kim, his wife of 32 years, have spent their adult lives focused on reaching the Next Generation. Their passion for over 30 years has been reaching and equipping young people for Kingdom work. They have served in many capacities here at Idlewild since 1997. They are blessed to have four children who are serving the Lord and ten wonderful grandchildren. One of Wade’s favorite verses is 2 Corinthians 3:18 which spotlights the way Jesus is transforming our lives into His image as we truly see Him. This is the key to true success in life, marriage and all endeavors.

Steve is one of the pioneers of instrumental music ministries in Southern Baptist work, leading instrumental ministries since 1981. He was appointed the instrumental director for the Florida Baptist Worship Orchestra in 1995. Steve is an accomplished arranger/orchestrator with many published titles to his credit. He has also orchestrated for a myriad of custom recording projects. He is also a nationally recognized instrumental clinician, leading numerous workshops and conferences in churches and universities. He has authored numerous instrumental articles for nationally published periodicals such as Church Music Workshop and The Chorister. Steve is also a “musicianary”, having led or participated in music mission trips to Finland, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Jordan, Australia, Malaysia, Guatemala and Greece. Steve resides in Tampa, Florida with his wife of 38 years, Bonnie, and their daughter Erin. Their two sons, Daniel and Joel, are both married and live in the Tampa Bay area. He also has three grandchildren: Aden (7), Jackson (4) and Ryleigh (3).

Brian is a native of Tampa and has been an Idlewild Member since he was 11 years old. Brian accepted Jesus and was baptized at age 9 at the then Trinity Baptist Church in Sulphur Spring which became Idlewild Sulphur Springs in 2014. Although Brian knew God had called him to ministry at age 21 he spent the next 21 years in Corporate America. At Idlewild, Brian was ordained as a Deacon at age 23 and as a Pastor at age 46. Brian has Finance Undergraduate and MBA degrees from the University of South Florida. Brian’s first date with his wife, Diana, was on an Idlewild Student Hayride back in High School. Brian and Diana have two Children, Logan and Lauren. Brian loves to spend time with his family, serving at Idlewild, running and playing tennis.

Pastor Greg loves to see people encounter the presence and power of the Lord. One way he is pursuing this is by developing the prayer ministry at Idlewild. He is blessed, as well, to assist those individuals who are taking early steps in their faith as he guides the baptism ministry, the Starting Point class and the counseling that follows the worship services. Pastor Greg’s sweet wife is Lynn. Their daughters are Rebecca, who is married to Robert McCoy, and Isabella, who is high school aged. Pastor Greg attended high school in Stuttgart, Germany. He received a Bachelor of Music Degree in Education at East Carolina University in Greenville, NC and a Master of Divinities degree at Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary in Memphis, TN. In the last 30 plus years, Pastor Greg has served in various ministry roles in churches. Among them are Senior Pastor, Musical Worship Leader, Biblical Counseling and Recovery Pastor, Educator, Student and College Pastor and sports chaplain. He enjoys reading and teaching, playing musical instruments and various sports and spending time with his family.

Patrick was born in Nashville, TN where he grew up loving church from childhood. Then, at 17, He chose to love the Savior. The Lord took him through inductive Bible studies and then to Southeastern Seminary on His way to making him a Children’s Pastor. Patrick has been a Children’s Pastor in both Chattanooga and New Mexico prior to coming to Idlewild in 2013.

Eloy Rodriguez has been a Pastor for over 20 years, prior to coming to Idlewild to plant a Hispanic Church “Idlewild en Español”, planted two churches in Orlando, fl. He volunteered as a chaplain with Good news Ministry and Orange County Jail Ministry before being the co-founder of the Spanish Jail Ministry in Orlando. He is currently the Hispanic chaplain for New York Yankees Minor league team. He has served in our convention nationally as the secretary of CNIHB part of the SBC , FBC nominating committee and the local Associations GOBA and TBBA as president of the Hispanic fellowship and as moderator. He also has been a conference speaker for NAMB and the FBC language departments in the area of Evangelism and Discipleship. Before coming to Tampa He was a contract worker in the Church Planting Department of our Convention. Eloy has a Master of Divinity degree from Luther Rice Seminary. His greatest joy other than Jesus Christ being His Savior and Lord are his wife of 31 years Sol and his six children; Gabriel, Joel, Esther, Samuel, Daniel and Analise (now in Glory). He enjoys playing basketball other sports and spending time with his family.

Brendon grew up in a small town outside Albany, NY. After receiving his undergrad in Hospitality Management from Cornell University, Brendon moved down to Florida to open up some quick-service franchises. In 2011, he came to know the Lord and has made Idlewild his home ever since. A year later, Brendon recognized God’s calling on his life to enter full-time ministry and began attending Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, where he is currently pursuing his Masters of Divinity degree. Brendon and his wonderful wife, Ally, have been married since March, 2015. Brendon is thrilled to be serving the Singles Ministry at the church in which he came to know Jesus.

Ken and his wife Jeanne have been members of Idlewild since 1985 and he has been a member of the Pastoral staff since 1987. Jeanne and Ken were married in 1972. They have a son and daughter who are both married. They have blessed Ken and Jeanne with six grandchildren. All are active at Idlewild. “Date Day” for Ken and Jeanne is playing golf. In fact, they went on a golfing honeymoon. They both enjoy the simple life of family, friends, and serving in various ministries through their church. His favorite place to dine is “his wife’s kitchen”. Ken’s life verse is Ph 3:10 and his Life Purpose statement is “Living life in such a way that brings glory and honor to God”.

Rob was saved at the age of 6 through the influence of his parents and the children’s ministry at the local church he attended in Dayton, Ohio. Rob currently serves as the Pastor of Financial Stewardship and Men’s ministry at Idlewild Baptist Church and also serves as the Executive Director of The Idlewild Foundation. His goal is to equip God’s people to learn and apply God’s financial principles and to create a culture of generosity within the Idlewild family. Rob teaches a variety of financial classes to all age groups and also coordinates the Budget Coaching and Benevolence Ministries at Idlewild. Prior to serving at Idlewild, Rob owned and operated Taylor and Williams, Inc., along with his business partner, a practice that specializes in financial planning and investment management. He also played football professionally for 11 years as an offensive tackle where he spent his last 8 years with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Rob also attended Northwestern University where he received his BS degree in electrical engineering. The titles that Rob cherishes the most are Christ-Follower, Susan’s husband and Kelby, Kelley, Kent and Kyle’s dad.

Born into a Christian home in Memphis Tennessee, Ron Upton gave his heart to Jesus Christ as a Junior in High School. God called him into ministry upon graduation from Memphis State University and subsequently received his Master’s from Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary and his Doctorate from Luther Rice Seminary. He is married to Miska Delaney and has three children, Ethan, Mare’t, and Nathan. He has served Idlewild Baptist Church 30 years as of August 18, 2016. Ron summarizes, “My Personal Life Statement is to love God, love others and lead family and others to do the same; My Calling is a Minister; My Leading is Music in Worship; My Message is The Sword and Song (Psalm 149.6); and My Mission in Ministry is to prompt a multi-generational, multi-cultural, body of believer’s to worship the Lord Jesus Christ in unity, spirit and truth.”

Reno has been a pastor on Staff at Idlewild for over 30 years. He is married to Sherri & together raised their three boys here at the church. Jonathan is married to Megan. David(serving on Staff here) is married to Janell. And Andy is married to Jenna. Reno enjoys teaching the Bible, hanging with the family, listening to worship music, sports & running.

David Zunz was born and raised in Tampa, Florida.  He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Music Business from Jacksonville University and his Master of Arts in Worship Studies from Liberty University.  David and his wife Janell met through Idlewild’s College-age ministry and married on September 7, 2013.  He was ordained to the Gospel ministry in November 2015.  They have two children, Adele, born March 2016, and Ezra, born March 2018.  He currently serves as Middle School worship leader in Wired on Wednesday nights, co-directs the Student Worship ministry, and teaches guitar and bass in Idlewild’s Centre for Music and Arts. His hobbies include playing guitar, collecting comic books, drinking coffee, visiting Disney World and spending time with his family.