Leadership

Mike and Jenifer Matheny have been happily married for 29 years and have dedicated the past 25 years to full-time ministry. Their journey began in 1999 when they attended the Discipleship Training School with Youth With A Mission, leading them to spend 7 transformative months in The Gambia, West Africa, where they combined learning with impactful outreach.

After their training, they returned to the United States, where Mike joined the staff at Southpointe Baptist Fellowship in Leesburg, FL. There, his passion for youth and children's ministry truly flourished as he served as the Youth & Children's Pastor for 5 meaningful years. In 2005, Mike continued his ministry at The Father’s House in Leesburg, FL, serving another 11 years as the Youth & Children's Pastor and Executive Pastor.

In 2016, Mike and Jenifer began the process of launching Church of the Lakes. The first service was held on August 16, 2017. In addition to his pastoral work, Pastor Mike considers it a privilege to serve as the Chaplain of the Leesburg Police Department. He also serves as President of The Leesburg Blue Foundation (leesburgblue.org), further supporting the local law enforcement community and fostering relationships throughout the Leesburg area.

Mike and Jenifer’s commitment to service extends to their family. They have adopted 5 beautiful children and also have welcomed 3 additional foster children into their home. Pastor Mike is deeply passionate about Leesburg and the surrounding area, investing his life not only in ministry but also in the well-being and unity of his community.  Go Jackets!

Pastor Doug and his wife, Dawn, serve the Prime Timers (55+ community) at our church. Married the day after college, they spent several years in business and education before serving as missionaries in Haiti. Over the past 25 years, they have had the privilege of serving three churches in New Jersey, North Dakota, and Wisconsin. They have one daughter, who, along with her family, serves as missionaries in Africa.

For the past seven years, Pastor Doug and Dawn have called Leesburg home and fully embrace the vision and mission of COTLakes. They share, “It is our great joy to help our retirement-age friends discover that this season of life can be the most fulfilling, as we together nurture our relationship with Jesus and follow Him—who has created each of us with a purpose to make a difference in this world!”

For questions or more information, feel free to contact Pastor Doug at the email below:

David has been leading worship since the age of 16, when God first stirred a passion in his heart to guide others into His presence. Ten years ago, David felt the Lord call him to Leesburg, where he has been faithfully serving in ministry ever since. He loves spending time with his family, enjoys fishing every chance he gets, and often finds inspiration for worship moments out on the water. David also has a deep passion for writing worship songs that point people to Jesus and help the church encounter His love and grace in a real way.

Eden is a wife to a Leesburg police officer, a proud mom of two preteen girls—which means she runs her household fueled by prayer, grace, and the occasional cup of strong coffee. She has been serving as the Youth Director at Church of the Lakes for over six years and considers it one of her greatest joys to walk alongside students and families as they grow in their faith.

Before stepping into ministry full-time, Eden served our country as a U.S. Navy veteran, earned an associate’s degree in Culinary Arts from the Culinary Institute of Virginia, and later completed her bachelor’s degree in Biblical and Theological Studies from Liberty University. While her background is diverse—from kitchens to classrooms to church halls—her heart has always remained the same. Eden’s greatest passion in life is pointing people to Jesus and helping them discover the hope, freedom, and purpose found in Him… preferably with honesty, humor, and a whole lot of grace.

For questions or more information, feel free to contact Eden at the email below:

Jenifer was born and raised in Sanford, FL. Graduate of Seminole
High School and Palm Beach Atlantic University. She taught middle
school and high school in Palm Beach County and in Leesburg.
She currently serves as the Children’s Ministry Director and is
happily married to Pastor Mike. They are enjoying this new season
of life as empty nesters.

For questions or more information, feel free to contact Jenifer at the email below:

Matthew  was born and raised in Eustis, Florida and is a proud third-generation Lake County native. When he is not working with youth or serving his church and community, Matthew enjoys spending time outdoors. He is an active person who loves fishing, golf, being on the water, and spending quality time in fellowship with friends and family.‍

For questions or more information, feel free to contact Matthew at the email below: 

James is a Leesburg Native and has many years of Leesburg community involvement. From owning business’ to serving in the local church, he brings years of experience. His passion for music started at a young age, he began to play in church in his high school youth group. Being involved in many aspects of church worship teams he brings a variety of skills to COTL. James is married to Tiffany and they have 2 children, Kaden and Colton.
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For questions or more information, feel free to contact James at the email below:

Lizzy was born at Leesburg Regional Medical Center and raised in Lady Lake. She graduated from Leesburg High School in 2013 and earned her associate degree from Lake-Sumter State College in 2016, graduating debt-free. Lizzy enjoys traveling and has participated in multiple mission trips, disaster relief efforts, and a visit to the Holy Land. She married John Goodin in 2020 during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, and together they purchased a manufactured home. They do not have children yet, but they share their home with a playful white German Shepherd named KoKo.

For questions or more information, feel free to contact Lizzy at the email below:

Caiti is the Events Coordinator for Opera House Events. She is married to her highschool sweetheart, Brady, and has two girls, Amelia and Hattie. Caiti has a Bachelor’s degree in Organizational Management from Lake Sumter State College. If Caiti isn’t hosting events, she is studying God’s word and reading any book she can get her hands on.
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For questions or more information, feel free to contact Caiti at the email below:

Lover of Jesus Christ, His people, and His creation! Kathleen is a mother of one dear son. She enjoys new adventures that help her grow in appreciation and understanding of God, people, food, music and cultures.  Family resides in 'wonderful Wyoming'.
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For questions or more information, feel free to contact Kathleen at the email below:

Alana is a full-time student at the College of Central Florida, where she is pursuing her degree in nursing. Alongside her studies, she serves as the Digital Communications Intern at Church of the Lakes, where she helps connect the church and community through social media. In her free time, she enjoys staying active, reading, and traveling, always looking for opportunities to grow and experience new places.

For questions or more information, feel free to contact Alana at the email below: