Our Staff

Covenant Presbyterian Church thrives because of the energy, commitment and unique style of those who lead it. Here are a few of the people that make our church community special:

Rev. William (Bill) Caleb Teng

Interim Pastor

Born and raised in Hong Kong, Pastor Bill is a fourth-generation Presbyterian minister. After concluding 40 years of active ministry teaching at the Alliance Bible Seminary in Hong Kong and serving congregations in New York; Texas; Hong Kong (twice); Florida (twice); Washington, D.C.; and Alexandria, Virginia.

Bill retired from called ministry in 2019 in order to serve in transitional ministry. He has since served as interim pastor at Ardmore Presbyterian Church, in the Philadelphia area, and has just concluded his interim ministry at Trinity Presbyterian Church in Venice, Florida.

Bill received advanced degrees in music and theology and has served on various councils of the larger church. He was nominated by National Capital Presbytery to stand for moderator of the 218th General Assembly in 2008 and was elected by the 223rd General Assembly (2018) to serve on the Board of Directors of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), A Corporation (A Corp), and is currently serving as its Co-Chair. Bill is also a volunteer chaplain with the Civil Air Patrol, the auxiliary of the United States Air Force, with the rank of Major. He and his wife, Karen, reside in Lake Suzy and has just celebrated their 35th wedding anniversary.

 

Rev. Dr. Winston Lawson

Pastor for Visitation

Winston Lawson is an honorably retired Presbyterian Minister and a member of Peace River Presbytery. He was formerly the Parish Associate at Covenant, and since January 2023, now serves part-time as Pastor for Visitation.

 

 

Dr. Warren Apple

Director of Music/Organist

Warren began his ministry at Covenant in September 2011. He has his Doctor of Music Arts from Eastman School of Music of the University of Rochester NY. He also has a Master of Music. He has been a student at Vienna (Austria) Conservatory of Music and Performing Arts. Warren is married to Nancy Speakman Apple and has three sons.

If you are interested in learning more about Covenant’s music ministry please email Warren at rwa10@hotmail.com.

 

 

 

Barb Sheets

Director of Christian Education & Family Ministry, Co-Youth Director

Barb Sheets was born in Toledo,Ohio. She has three children, two daughters living in Lee County, and a son, living in Murfreesboro, TN. Barb is very proud of her eight grandchildren. Barb and her family came to Covenant 31 years ago and have been actively involved ever since. Barb is one of our Stephen leaders, has served as a deacon and has led adult church school for several years as well. She serves as a PW Circle leader. Mission has also called her as she has traveled to Nicaragua and Palestine.

Barb is a professional volunteer. After many years of helping with VBS, MOPS and many other Family Ministry events, it is a natural transition for her to serve as our interim Director of CE and Family Ministry.

 

Juan Pablo Oliva

Co-Youth Director, Youth Band Leader

Juan Pablo began his formal musical education when he was age 11 at the Vocational School of Arts in Holguin, Cuba and is a graduate from the Conservatory of Music Jose Maria Ochoa also in Holguin.  Juan Pablo earned his Bachelor of Music, graduating Suma Cum Laude, and majoring in guitar at the lnstituto Superior de Artes/Higher Institute of Arts in Havana,Cuba. He also studied music analysis, harmony and music history at the Mozarteum University of

Salzburg, Austria. Early in his career, he participated in a musical tour of Europe. Juan Pablo served as music director at El Fuerte Presbyterian Church in Cardenas, Cuba. In addition, to his Director responsibilities he was also a music teacher and amusician.

Juan Pablo earned a special recognition from the Jury at the X Havana International Guitar contest and Festival in May of 2000. Also, Juan Pablo was concertino and first guitar at the Sonantas Habaneras Guitar Orchestra for 2000-2002.

Since August 2018, Juan Pablo and his family have been residents of Lee County and serves as a guitar and piano teacher at the Cape Coral Academy of Music and the Fort Myers School of Music.

He loves to spend time with his family, play and teach music, among other activities that involve human culture, history,development and languages.

 

Alana Nanz

Director of Publications

Before moving to North Carolina in 2020, Alana Nanz was an active member at Covenant, and now she is pleased to continue serving the church as the Director of Publications. Alana also works for the North Carolina Arts Council in Raleigh, NC as a Program Administrator. Previously, she was the Administrative Specialist for the Bower School of Music at Florida Gulf Coast University, and prior to that, she worked at the Centers for the Arts of Bonita Springs and Artis-Naples. Alana completed a Bachelor of Arts in Piano Performance from Elon University, graduate courses in Arts Management at Shenandoah University, and is currently enrolled in a Front End Development online program learning how to code.

For questions regarding church publications please email Alana at cpcpublications@gmail.com.

 

Barbara Heflin

Office Coordinator/Administrative Assistant

Barbara serves on a volunteer basis as Administrative Assistant to the pastors, oversees the preparation of worship and memorial bulletins, provides clerical support to other office staff, coordinates receptionists for the front desk, serves as liaison to the Session and performs numerous other office duties. She is an Elder, Clerk of Session, serves on the Worship Committee and is in the Jubilate Ringers Handbell Choir. She and her husband, Dean, have been members of Covenant for over 50 years and she has served on staff on three different occasions totaling more than 35 years.

 

Jean Ann Gogerty

Bookkeeper

Jean Ann had been in Ft. Myers for 37 years, originally from Oklahoma. She is married to her best friend, Mitch. Between them, they have four children. Christina and Ronnie are in their mid-twenties; Luke plays football at John Carroll University in Ohio; and PJ attends ECS. They worship at Cape Christian Fellowship and love spending time in the northeast Georgia mountains, camping anywhere (in a camper, naturally!), bike riding, and of course, the Gators!

Jean Ann started at Covenant as a part-time bookkeeper in March 2011.

 

 

Mary Callaway

Financial and Attendance Secretary

Mary volunteers her time to this position. She keeps records of personal contributions to the church, posts attendance and attempts to keep the computer data system up to date. Mary and Steve have been members at Covenant for 9 years.

 

 

 

Gary Brothers

Business Manager

Gary started attending Covenant Presbyterian Church in 2004, becoming members in 2005. Gary has served Covenant in numerous ways. Being blessed with the knowledge and capability to fix or build almost anything; he volunteered for the church property committee. He has also served as a deacon and as a Stephen Minister. Gary’s career path has been varied, interesting and taken him across the country. After receiving a diploma in Management of Information Systems he took a sideline position managing one of the largest entertainment establishments in the country. This diversion lasted for over 10 years. He finally decided to pursue a position utilizing his degree, working with computers. For the next 20 plus years, Gary worked as a computer service engineer, sales and national reorganization manager. The last 18 years of his computer career was spent with EDS, traveling nationwide deploying and supporting networks and computer systems with General Motors, GMAC, DOW and most of the larger credit unions in the country. In his free time, Gary engaged in investment real estate which is what ultimately brought him to Ft. Myers. Gary is a licensed real estate agent, a certified community association manager and possesses vast experience in property management and maintenance. During his down time he enjoys time on the beach and boating.

 

Barbara Thrasher

Custodial Care

Barbara was born and raised in Indiana. She has two sons, Jason who lives in Florida with his two sons and Jim who lives in Indiana. Barbara previously had her own cake and catering business for 10 years prior to moving to Florida in 1996. She started working for Covenant in 1998.

 

 

 

 

Our Volunteers

We honor all the volunteers who have served as teachers, office workers, choir directors, musicians, event assistants, counters, library workers, committee members, property caretakers, ushers, greeters, visitation volunteers, prayer ministry coordinators, designers, supply organizers – the list of helpers is countless! On behalf of the entire congregation,

Thank you for your dedicated service!