FRESH Start March 2026

M A R C H 2 0 2 6 V O L U M E 7 , I S S U E 2
FRESH Start
THE OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF THE PORT CHARLOTTE SDA CHURCH
Impact
2026:
Small
Groups

A Place
Where
Everybody
Knows
Your Name
BY BEN SHURTLIFF, SENIOR PASTOR
How many of you remember the television
show “Cheers”? It was a television series
anchored around a neighborhood bar and the
colorful personalities that made up the roster of
regular customers. Although I never watched
even one episode, many, many, many people
did. In fact, here are the details of just how
popular a show “Cheers” was, taken from
Wikipedia and Fandom:
Cheers became one of the most popular
television series in history, earning a top-10
Nielsen rating during eight of its 11 seasons
and becoming a cultural phenomenon. Its
series finale in 1993 was watched by

approximately 93 million viewers, making it
one of the most-watched episodes in
television history.
What was it that made this show so popular? It
may have been the great actors or actresses. It
may have been the familiar setting for a
segment of the population. However, I think
what really attracted 93 million viewers was the
need that we all have to be known and connect
with others in a meaningful way.
This same need to combat loneliness and to
love, as well as being loved, drives humanity. It
is at the core of so much of what we pursue and
do. Do you think a television series based on a
church family would be as believable, relatable,
and successful as “Cheers” was? Do you think
93,000,000 viewers would believe that
meaningful, fun, and non-judgmental
relationships could be as relatable in a church
setting as “Cheers” made them seem in that of a
bar? Not likely, at least not the way most
churches conduct what they do.
All last year I attended prayer meeting and I was
blessed as a result. However, both for myself,
and for what I perceived in others, there was
something missing. I am not knocking prayer
meeting. I love it and am so grateful to our
team of elders for carrying it forward. However,
for families that may only be able to meet once
a week outside of Sabbath morning, I have felt
that there may be an even better way of making
disciples. My conviction is that
disciples are best made in a
small group setting centered
on pursuing the teachings of
Jesus and development of
meaningful close relationships
with other brothers and
sisters in Christ.
We have Elder Bill Payne
coming to our church to help
us kick-off small groups and
revitalize our Sabbath schools
on the first weekend of April.
Elder Payne has a great deal
of experience and a passion
for small groups. I don’t
consider myself an expert on
small groups. However, I have
some anecdotal evidence that
compels me. Many of you
know that Brother Art Brooks
is dealing with congestive
heart failure. Unless the Lord
works a miracle, his remaining
time with us is very limited.
Please keep him and Susan in
your prayers.
I bring Art up because years
and years ago he and Susan,
along with a handful of
others, gathered weekly in our
living room for a small-group

Bible study. That was 15 years ago, and yet
when I think of the Brooks, or the Paulsons, or
the Swansons, I immediately smile, and a warm
sense of friendship comes to mind. We met
weekly for a couple months 15 years ago and to
this day I feel a strong affinity, love, and
connection to those families.
Small groups work. Jesus used a small group to
develop His disciples and long after He
ascended to Heaven, they carried out the
mission they learned in that small-group
setting.
As your pastor, I invite you to attend the special
weekend with Brother Payne and learn more
about how you can be blessed and be a
blessing through a small group setting. I love
this quote from Pastor Rick Warren.
“Once people are in a small group, I stop
worrying about them because I know their
needs are going to be taken care of.”
As your pastor, I care for you. I am concerned
about your discipleship journey and that your
needs are being met. I am convinced that a
meaningful, fun, non-judgmental small group
where relationships can be forged will benefit
you immensely. The connection I have with Art
was made possible by a small-group setting. I
am certain that when we all get to Heaven and I
see Art walking on the streets of gold, my heart
will still feel that connection that was made so
long ago.
“We all have
a deep need
to be known
and to
connect with
others in a
meaningful
way.”
There will be a whole lot more
than 93,000,000 people in
heaven. Until that day, let’s
experience what churches
were meant to develop and
“Cheers” could only emulate --
genuine, loving relationships
made possible by Jesus. I wish
you the same happiness and
meaningful friendship that I
have found through small
groups and when you get the
opportunity to join one or
even host and lead one be
sure to take it!

Upcoming Events
March 7, 10:30-11 - Good God Cafe in the Community
Center.
March 7, 11:00 - Youth church service in the
Community Center.
March 7, after church services - Potluck in the Grand
Hall.
March 14, 1:00 - Picnic at Myakka State Park. Bring
your own lunch. Drinks and chips will be provided.
March 15, 3:00 - Cooking Class in the Grand Hall.
March 22, 10-3:00 - Earliteen Paintball Party at
Bayshore Paintball, 22402 Bayshore Rd., Punta Gorda
March 28 - Pastor Aubrey Toup will be installed as
associate pastor.
April 3, 6:30 - The Structure, Function and Flow of
Small Groups, presented by Pastor Bill Payne.
April 4, after church services - Potluck in the Grand
Hall.
April 4, 2:00 - Sabbath School Reimagined, presented
by Pastor Bill Payne.
April 4, after the previous session - Advancing the
Mission Through Personal Ministries, presented by
Pastor Bill Payne.
April 26, 3:00 - Women Crowned with Grace Tea Party
in the Grand Hall.

Bill Payne, D.Min.
Dr. Bill Payne currently serves as Director of
Sabbath School and Personal Ministries for the
North American Division of Seventh-day
Adventists. Prior to this role, he led the
Discover Bible School for North America at the
Voice of Prophecy.
His pastoral journey began in the Southwest
Region Conference and later took him to the
Hawaii Conference, the Indiana Conference,
and eventually back to Hawaii, where he served
as pastor of Honolulu Central, the mother
church on the islands. Over the years, Pastor
Bill has also served as a departmental director
in several ministry areas, including Adventist
Community Services, Small Group Ministry,
Sabbath School, Youth, Pathfinders, and Camp
Ministry.
Pastor Bill holds a Bachelor of
Arts in Theology from
Southwestern Adventist
University, a Master of Arts in
Organizational Management
from the University of
Phoenix, a Master of Divinity
from Andrews University
Theological Seminary, and a
Doctor of Ministry in Church
Revitalization from Liberty
University, with a focus on
Sabbath School and Small
Group Ministry.
He and his wife, Audrey, have
been married for 34 years and
are blessed with one
daughter, Keanna, who serves
as an elementary school
teacher.
A verse that inspires his
ministry is 2 Corinthians 5:17:
“If anyone is in Christ, he/she is
a new creation.”
Dedicated to empowering
disciples and preparing hearts
for Christ’s soon return,
Pastor Bill embraces his
calling with passion and joy.

Welcome
Pastor Aubrey Toup
BY LAURA DANCEK
We are looking
forward to adding
an associate pastor
to our church staff
on March 23, when
Pastor Aubrey Toup
spends her first
official day here. On
Sabbath, March 28
she will be installed
by the Florida
Conference.
Pastor Aubrey grew
up an only child in
I
LOVE
PEOPLE!

St. Cloud, Florida and attended public school
there. In 2015 she graduated from Southern
Adventist University with a bachelor of arts
degree in theology. Her eight years of
experience serving as a pastor includes two
years at Ooltewah SDA Church in Tennessee as
the Children, Youth and Young Adult pastor. In
2020 she completed her Masters of Divinity at
Andrews University Theological Seminary. Her
next four years were at Stone Mountain SDA
Church in Georgia as the associate and interim
pastor. In 2024 she moved to the WholeLife
Church in Orlando as the Children and Family
Ministries Pastor.
People are her passion! “I love people. I love
children. They are so happy and amazing! They
bring me so much joy. Their excitement for life,
and their openness, and their genuineness is so
beautiful.” She finds joy in visiting with people,
regardless of their age or circumstance. In her
ministry, discipleship is a key priority. “Making
sure we create disciples who create disciples is
a passion of mine.”
Originally, Pastor Aubrey
planned to be a teacher. She
minored in music and
specifically dreamed to
become a music teacher. After
a few years, she finally
succumbed to the pastoral
call she believed the Lord was
placing on her life, and as
soon as she did, she loved all
her classes, and realized His
plan was so much better.
Pastor Aubrey’s love for travel
has taken her to Israel,
France, Bolivia, Cambodia,
Vietnam, Thailand, Cuba,
Canada, as well as to 29 of our
United States. With her love of
people, her travels are either
mission-oriented, or to see
people she knows and loves.
Besides being a worldtraveler,
she enjoys music and
singing, arts and crafts, and
trying new places to eat good
vegetarian food.
Make sure to be here on
March 28 to welcome her to
our church. When you have
the opportunity to talk to
Pastor Aubrey, it is certain
that her love for others –
including her love for you –
will shine through!

Church Life
in Photos
On January 17, Donna Judy was presented with cards and gifts in
gratitude for her many years of service for our church.
Photo credit: Ted Stringer

Photo credits: Ted Stringer
On January 21 and 24 Chris and Michelle Lang joined us for a prayer
supper, Sabbath worship, and a screening of “UNMISTAKEN: The
Michelle Schaefer Story.” Chris, the youngest son of Bob and Wretha
Lang, grew up in this church, making it extra special to have him
return.
On January 22
Agnes Bowen
turned 100 years
old! She received a
visit from the
pastors, flowers,
chocolates, a
massive sunflower
balloon, and a
card.
Photo submitted by: Ben Shurtliff

On January 31 Barry Saxman told a
unique children’s story and led
them around the sanctuary
clothed in the “armor of God.”
Photo credits: Rodney Grussling
On February 7 the new
Elders and Deacons were
ordained.
Photo credits: Ted Stringer

On February 14, church office manager, Sandee
Lawrence was presented with special gifts to thank her
for all she does to keep our church running smoothly.
Photo credits: Ted Stringer
On February 15, the
health ministry offered
a healthy cooking
demonstration. They
reviewed our new
health app, and had the
books of Dr. David
DeRose available for
purchase.
Photos submitted by Brenda Gonzalez

941-629-1333
2036 Loveland Blvd.
Pt. Charlotte, FL 33952
www.pcsda.net
FRESH Start Team:
Photographers:
Rodney Grussling
Ted Stringer
Writers:
Laura Dancek
Ben Shurtliff
Editor:
Laura Dancek
Contact:
pcsdalaura@gmail.com