Staff
Rodney Barton
Lead Pastor
Rodney Barton grew up in Ringgold, Georgia and graduated from Jacksonville State University in Alabama with a Bachelor of Science degree. He came to saving faith in Jesus Christ during college, through the ministry of Campus Outreach. He and his wife met through that ministry on a Summer Beach Project and committed to full-time ministry shortly after they were married. They joined a team to launch a Campus Outreach ministry in New Zealand in 2002. After serving overseas, they joined the Campus Outreach team in Orlando, Florida where he served in various roles on the campuses of Rollins College, University of Central Florida, and at Willow Creek Church (P.C.A.).
Sensing God’s call to pastoral ministry, Rodney began studying at Reformed Theological Seminary in Orlando and served as an Intern at St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church, receiving his MDiv in 2012. God then led the Bartons to East Tennessee, where Rodney pastored a church for five years. In 2018, the Lord led them back to Central Florida as an Assistant Pastor in Winter Haven. Rodney was installed as Lead Pastor at Cypress Ridge in November 2023. He enjoys helping people grow in their understanding of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and equipping the flock to reach the world around them. In his free time, he follows college football (Roll Tide), enjoys fishing, camping, and spending time with his family.
Rodney and Jennifer have been married for 26 years and are blessed with five children: Abbie (23), Caleb (20), Joshua (19), Ansleigh (10), and Audrey (9). The Bartons are so thankful for their Cypress Ridge family.
“Come as you are. We are not perfect people, but we are a community seeking to be faithful, and to know and walk with God.”
-Pastor Rodney
Christy Fung
Interim Worship Leader
Christy grew up in the Winter Haven area and has been playing piano in churches since a young age. She received a Bachelor’s of Music in Piano Performance from UCF and then did graduate studies in piano pedagogy at Texas Christian University while teaching in the TCU Preparatory Institute.
After moving back to Florida and teaching in the Rollins College Community School of Music, Christy began teaching piano at Lakeland Christian School (LCS) in 2009. She is currently the head of the piano department at Lakeland Christian School, which has about 200 piano students (kindergarten through 12th grade).
She treasures the special relationships she develops teaching students as they grow year to year. Christy also accompanies for the LCS band and choral programs and serves in the local Ridge Music Teachers Association as treasurer and Student Day chairman.
She and her husband Brandon were married in 2005 and have 2 teenage girls and 1 adorable dog who is the baby of the family.
“I have a heart for worship because it touches my soul. Sacred music is like
praying with song.”
-Christy
Jennifer Barton
Women's Ministry Director
Jennifer grew up in Augusta, Georgia and graduated from Samford University with a degree in Church Music and vocal performance. She came to know Jesus as a child and committed to follow Him wherever he led at a Bible and Missionary Conference at First Presbyterian Church as a teenager. In college, she became very involved in Campus Outreach as a student and then as a staff wife in the early years of their marriage. She has had the blessing of being mentored and discipled by older women throughout her life and is passionate about women’s ministry in the local church. She is thankful to join the ministry team at Cypress Ridge part-time and is excited to participate in the Lord’s work here through women’s ministry.
"The only reliable motive for encouraging women's ministry in the local church is an insatiable longing to see the display of God's glory in the local church."
- Ligon Duncan
Anna Smith
Office Administrator & Children's Ministry Director
Anna was born in Detroit, Michigan and raised in Winter Haven, Florida. She is blessed to have grown up in the church and always knew about Jesus Christ, but didn't come to fully know and trust Him as her Savior until she was a teenager.
Anna attended Covenant College in Lookout Mountain, GA majoring in Community Development and serving as an RUF student leader. After her graduation, she returned home and worked in various capacities such as a librarian assistant, dance teacher, and secretary at the local pregnancy center.
Anna loves working with children and teenagers and was called to serve as the Children's Ministry Director at Cypress Ridge after she graduated college. She volunteered in this role until late 2016 when she was hired as full time staff maintaining her role in children and youth ministry and adding on her role as Office Administrator.
Anna and her husband, Matt, were happily married in February 2023 and are delighted to be raising a beautiful daughter and serving in youth ministry together.
“I love seeing and hearing how God is working through each person in our congregation. I am especially encouraged when I see people worship on Sundays despite the hardships they are going through.”
-Anna
Samuel Nieves
Pastoral Resident
Sam, a native of New York City, was raised in a Christian home. He came to know Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior during his adolescent years. Sam has always possessed a passion for music, and as a young Christian, played the bass guitar in numerous musical Christian bands. During membership at various churches, he experienced the joy of serving in the worship ministries, men’s groups, and local outreach.
Sam relocated to Davenport, Florida, after retiring from a fulfilling career in law enforcement in Pennsylvania for over 32 years. During his final years of law enforcement, he served honorably as executive protection for the Attorney General of Pennsylvania. Serving in this role granted him many invaluable opportunities to share the Gospel with fellow officers, special agents, special operations group members, and leaders.
In his community in Davenport, Sam is passionate about proclaiming the Word of Christ, praying for those in need, and assisting the elderly.
Sam currently serves at Cypress Ridge Presbyterian Church as a Pastoral Resident and is simultaneously pursuing a theological degree at Birmingham Theological Seminary.
Sam has been married to his wonderful wife, Neida, for over 37 years. Together they have three adult children, a daughter-in-law, and two beautiful grandchildren, all of whom reside in the Southern New Jersey area.
“My greatest desire is to do the will of God, and to witness the transformation of lives by the power of the Gospel, bringing all glory to the King of kings.”
-Sam
Sunday Service
Join us on Sundays at 10:30 AM
