STAFF

Dr. Jay Strack

Lead Teaching Pastor
Dr. Jay Strack is an internationally acclaimed author, effective communicator, and minister from Orlando, Florida, who has devoted his life to helping others overcome obstacles so they can be all that God intended them to be. Jay’s teaching style is biblically based and relevant to the struggles people face in their day-to-day lives.

Dr. Bob Reccord

Teaching Pastor
International speaker Dr. Bob Reccord focuses his messages and books on making your life count wherever God has placed you—be it the mission field, at work, or in the home. He believes there is a personal calling on every person’s life, and that life needs to be lived out in such a way that others will see Christ clearly.

Pastor Chris Lane

Teaching Pastor
Along with being one of our Teaching Pastors, Chris currently serves as the Executive Director of First Priority of South Florida, equipping students to share the Gospel on public school campuses throughout our community. Chris graduated from Samford University and served as a local youth pastor until he began to feel God calling him into campus ministry full time. Ten years later, First Priority has grown to reach nearly 100 public school campuses. Chris has also had the opportunity to serve as the Florida Marlins Chaplain over this period of time. Though passionate about all the Lord allows him to do, nothing brings him greater joy than being married to his wife, Wendy, and raising their four sons.

Pastor Bob Reeder

Worship Pastor
Bob Reeder is known throughout South Florida for his incredible ability to lead God's people in worship each week by incorporating all styles of music.  The Homecoming Concert events have become a favorite, as many local vocalists, ensembles and the finest orchestra are show-cased.

It was Bob's vision twenty-five years ago, along with the hard work of hundreds of wonderful people, that began the highly acclaimed Ft. Lauderdale Christmas Pageant.  As a result, millions of people have seen the pageant live, on DVD, on the internet, or through televised presentations, and untold thousands have received Christ as Savior.

Pastor Gary Lowy

Pastor of Life Groups and Evangelism

Gary, a Messianic Jew, was called into full-time pastoral ministry in 2002 after having surrendered to Christ’s Lordship in 1993 and ministering in a number of large church lay leadership roles. Gary has served as Pastor of Adult Ministries and Assimilation, Executive Pastor, and Business Manager at several local area churches. Previously, he earned an EMBA at the University of New Haven, New Haven, CT and spent the better part of 30 years in executive operations positions in the business world. Along with being on staff at NorthStar, Gary is the Founder, Executive Director and Chaplain for Legacy Fellowship, a ministry that brings worship services to South Florida’s assisted living, nursing home, and rehabilitation facilities (www.lfmflorida.org). 

Pastor David Hamilton

Senior Adult Pastor
David Hamilton knows Senior Adults and their three basic desires to be needed, wanted and loved. These needs have led David and Charlotte Hamilton to focus on a Senior Adult ministry at NorthStar that is rooted in Bible study and expressed through a personal ministry of love and encouragement, as well as social activities.

After a lifetime of ministry in Texas, Oklahoma, Florida and Illinois, David brings a wealth of experience and wisdom to our staff. His knowledge of the scripture enhances his ability to teach people of all ages in a way that is both encouraging and challenging. His easy going manner and people skills make him loved by the whole congregation. David and Charlotte are with us during the winter months of December – April.

Jameson Reeder

Director of Student Ministries
As the son of a pastor, Jameson got to experience ministry early on in life. Before coming to NorthStar he was on staff at First Baptist Church of Orlando and New Covenant Church in Pompano Beach. He is the founder of Urban Village a missional community of faith, love and hope that is centered around South Florida and the needs of the communities therein (www.urbanvillage.net). Jameson has continued his theological education both at Palm Beach Atlantic University and Reform Theological Seminary. 

Sarah Heaton

Director of Children's Ministries

Sarah has a B.A. from Palm Beach Atlantic University where she studied Christian Social Ministry and Public Relations. she was born and spent 10 years in Fort Lauderdale before moving with her family to Colorado. Deciding that she preferred the climate of South Florida she moved back to attend college in 2005. Before coming to NorthStar, Sarah worked in both youth and music ministry in Colorado and worked as an Administrative  Assistant for a pastor in Pompano Beach during college.

Pastor Ed LaRocque

Celebrate Recovery Pastor
For the past twelve years, Ed LaRocque has led a Celebrate Recovery group in the Fort Lauderdale area. This Bible-based 12-step program begun by Rick Warren from Saddleback Church has been life-changing for those who suffer from hurts, habits & hang-ups.

Craig Miller

Director of Beach Evangelism
Craig Miller is the founder and CEO of Apocalypse Evangelism Ministries, Inc. Craig’s responsibility is the “backroom” planning, management, contracting and negotiations work for Beachblast 1!  He holds Bachelors and Masters Degrees from Virginia Tech and the University of Miami. Craig has lived in the Fort Lauderdale area for over 40 years. He is a licensed Professional Engineer and serves as Senior Vice President and Principal of the second largest “transportation-only” consulting firm in the United States. He is a former Chairman of Deacons and evangelist at First Baptist Church, Fort Lauderdale under Dr. O.S. Hawkins. Mr. Miller also served as Finance Chairman and as the “backroom” assistant to Bob Reeder for the development of the Fort Lauderdale Christmas Pageant Operating Budget and as contract negotiator for the pageant production contractors.

John O'Conner

 Chaplain of Community Outreach
John O'Conner has been in ministry for twenty-five years.  Fifteen of those years were at First Baptist Church of Ft. Lauderdale in the Community Outreach Department and as the Director of Security. He is now involved in several different ministries through the city including Urban Village, Love Thy Neighbor, Team of Life, prison ministries, etc. John works as NorthStar's liason to the community, sharing the hope of Jesus Christ in practical ways.