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Meet Our Staff

Miami Shores Presbyterian Church

Dr. Sam Rutland, Senior Pastor

 

Designated Associate Pastor for Youth & Outreach, to be called
 
Staff Biographies
Dr. Sam Rutland - Senior Pastor/Head of Staff
Dr. Sam Rutland brings enthusiasm and experience to our church family.   Raised in North Carolina, Dr. Sam graduated from Wake Forest University, earned his Master of Divinity from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and a Doctor of  Ministry from Columbia Theological Seminary.   Dr. Sam started with us in July 2004 and has served our presbytery as moderator and Chair of Counsel. His hobbies include reading, golf and recently completed his open water SCUBA certification with his wife Mimi. Dr. Sam and Mimi have two daughters, Meredith and Sarah.

James Gensel - Director of Music Ministries
Jim  is a native Floridian, born and raised in Hollywood, FL.  He is also a life-long Presbyterian, having been Baptized and "brought-up" in The First Presbyterian Church of Hollywood.  He received a B.M.E. at Florida State University with a certificate in Organ. After teaching Public School he went on to receive his Master of Music Degree from Westminster Choir College with emphasis on Church Music and Organ.  Jim has worked for Alfred Music Publishing (formerly Warner Bros. Publications) for 19 years.
He is a member of The Master Chorale of South Florida and The American Guild of Organists where he has served as Dean. Jim enjoys running 5k races and spending time with his daughter.

Bekky H. Leonard - Director of Children's Ministries

Bekky is a native Miamian, life long Presbyterian and graduate of the University of Tampa with a degree in elementary education.  She maintains a Florida teaching certificate that includes gifted and early childhood education.  She teaches third graders at Miami Shores Community School and previously taught in Miami-Dade County Schools.
She and her husband Tom have 4 adult children who grew up at Miami Shores Presbyterian Church. She has been on school boundary committees, chaired the Miami Shores Mayor's Community Task Force and in 2003 was "Citizen of the Year."   She is current president of Miami Shores Property Owners Association and enjoys gardening.

Her joy is sharing God's love and the foundations of the Christian faith with our young Presbyterians' through Sunday School and the weekly Wonders of Worship.

 

Sylvia Halter - Administrative Assistant to Senior Pastor

Sylvia is a native of Florida and joined the MSPC staff in May, 2006.  She is a graduate of the University of Miami.  She is married and has three children--2 daughters, Lea and Chelsea and one son, Rick.

Sandi Busta - Schools Director

Sandi has been a part of our MSPC family for over 20 years.  She earned a BA degree from the University of South Florida in early childhood education and a Master degree.  Sandi holds the directors credentials required by the state of Florida. 

Sandi, a native of South Florida, and her husband John have four grown children who were raised in Miami Shores.  Sandi is committed to the mission and success of the preschool, and elementary school, and under her leadership both have become leading institutions in our community and and outreach of MSPC. 

 

Karen Boyd - PMO Director Karen is a former teacher and counselor in the Miami-Dade Public School System. She holds Florida State certificates in Elementary Education, Early Childhood Education and Guidance and Counseling, as well as the Director certification. Many of you will remember Karen since she ‘grew up’ in Miami Shores Presbyterian Church. Her parents, Jim and Esther Criswell, were long time members. Esther was our weekday kindergarten teacher for many years. Karen is a member of MSPC, along with daughter, Donna.

Jane Spinney - Director of Children's Music
Jane earned a bachelor’s degree in music from the University of Miami and a master’s degree in arts administration from New York University. Currently a music instructor at Miami Country Day School, she also owns and operates  “Miss Jane’s Music Studio” in Miami Shores, teaching music to children of all ages.  Jane loves to teach music to children, and now leads two children's choirs on Wednesday evenings at the church.            

 

David Kinchen - Operations Manager
David is a long-time member of MSPC.  A native of Florida, he has attended MSPC for more than 40 years and now joins our staff as the Property Manager.  He is married and has one son.  He graduated from FIU in 1988 with a degree in Public Relations.

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