Our Leadership Team

We are passionate about our mission and dedicated to creating a supportive, Christ-centered group of team leaders.

Chuck & Linda Russ

Palm Beach County, Florida

Church Planter, Trainer, Mentor, Pastor

Chuck and Linda began formal ministry in 1986 as church planters in a small Southern Ohio town. Chuck brings a wealth of experience from planting churches, launching small groups, pastoring, and developing churches. His passion for launching new cells, congregations, and celebration gatherings led to the formation of Footstep Ministry. His focus is on identifying, enlisting, equipping, commissioning, and encouraging others in their mission to make disciples.

Mark & Carol Valdivia-Bressan

Lake Placid, Florida

Mentor, Church Planter, Counselor, Ministry of Prayer

Mark has extensive experience in building maintenance and currently serves at the Lake Placid Camp and Conference Center in Lake Placid, Florida.

Carol's professional journey includes being a chemist, security analyst, licensed professional counselor, and pastor. Her passion for fostering community led her to launch small groups in the Urban Brickell area of Miami, Florida. Mark and Carol are passionate about developing small groups that can become a haven for connection, shared experiences, and personal spiritual growth.

Click to Hear Their Story

Paul & Debbie Zernis

Columbus, Ohio

Paul: Second Mile Ministry--Service Projects and Mission Trips

Debbie: Ministry of Prayer, Small Group Leader

For many years, Paul and Debbie have served as laypeople in the Church. Their combined efforts in leading mission trips, managing construction projects, and guiding various ministries have allowed them to touch countless lives. They believe in the power of connection, shared experiences, and the strength of community.

Through their years of experience, they have seen firsthand the transformative power of prayer. They have also seen how mission trips and projects not only provide physical assistance but also bring the love of Jesus Christ to others.

David & Maria Fernanda

Miami, Florida

Church Planter, Trainer/Speaker, Mentor

Together, David and Maria bring a wealth of experience in evangelism and discipleship. Through his work with the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, David has significantly impacted many lives. He is a professor at both the Instituto Teológico Nazareno in Virginia where he teaches courses in Christian Philosophy & Ethics, Contextual Evangelism, Church Planting, and the New Testament, and the Seminario Nazareno de las Américas, where he specializes in Theology, the Old Testament, Contextual Pastoral Ministry, and Evangelism in a Pluralistic World.

David's dedication to education and ministry continues to inspire and guide future leaders in their spiritual journeys.

Dr. Mark Montgomery

Knoxville, Tennessee

Mentor, Author, Speaker/Trainer

His newest book, Missional Hope: Unlocking Receptivity in the Narcissistic West, will be published in August 2024.

Esnel & Vesta Principal

Port St. Lucie, Florida

Mentor, Church Planter, Speaker/Trainer

Pastor Esnel, Principal, has served as District Superintendent for the Church of the Nazarene in the Dominican Republic. He also served as a pastor for many years in Inner City, Philadelphia, bringing hope and inspiration to a bustling and diverse community. Currently, Rev. Principal is embarking on an exciting new venture by planting a church in Port St. Lucie, Florida, where he continues to build and nurture a vibrant faith community.

Esnel is fluent in English, Spanish, French, and Creole, allowing him to connect with individuals from various backgrounds and cultures. His multilingual abilities enhance his pastoral mission, enabling him to serve and support various congregants with empathy and understanding.

Julius & Julia Sanna

Palm Beach County, FL

Julius: Worship, Community Engagement, Intercultural Ministry

Julia: Licensed Counselor

Julius is a seasoned and gifted worship leader known for his passion and commitment to facilitating meaningful worship experiences. His ministry has been marked by leading worship teams, planting churches, and guiding congregations into the next generation in intercultural ministry.

Julia is a dedicated and licensed clinical therapist specializing in marriage and mental health counseling. With a solid foundation in her field, she runs a successful private practice that offers guidance and support from a Christian perspective.

Julius and Julia are passionate about guiding church planters through the unique mental, spiritual, and marital pressures faced by church-planting families.