Ministers and Staff - Fairway Christian Church

Meet Our Ministers

William “Butch” Gastfield

Preaching Minister

Butch and his wife DeDe have been married over 41 years; have 3 married children, and 3 grandchildren. Butch is especially excited to serve at Fairway, a church he assisted in planting in 1999. He started on staff as the Associate Minister of Involvement and Outreach and in October of 2020, he was called to become Fairway’s new Preaching Minister.

Butch is a Veteran having served in the USAF. He was called out of the military into the ministry in 1983. Butch holds a Bachelor’s of Arts degree in Preaching from Florida Christian College (now Johnson University Florida) and has a Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology from PBA. He has served in the Preaching Ministry for over 30 years.

Michael Coppock

Associate Minister of Worship

Michael received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Music and Christian Education from Johnson University and his Master of Arts in Music Education from Jacksonville University. He was ordained into ministry by Journey Christian Church in Apopka, FL. Over the next 30+ years, Michael served several churches in Virginia, Alabama and Florida.

He has performed vocally at numerous Christian conventions and musical productions. He has a vast experience in leading both contemporary and traditional worship, as well as, several musical groups and instruments.

Michael says his family is his life! He and his wife Vicki were married in 1984, and Vicki recently retired from her career in teaching. They have 3 children: 2 grown daughters, one son, Jordan, who lives at home, and 1 adorable grandson, Noah.

Robert “Bob” Harris Associate Minister of Pastoral Care

Bob was born in central Virginia and spent most of his early years there. He and Kathy were high school sweethearts and will be married 45 years in November. They have two married sons, five granddaughters and one grandson. Bob and Kathy moved to the Villages in June 2016 and discovered Fairway Christian Church. They became members in January 2017. Both Bob and Kathy enjoy our church services and both have felt inspired, welcomed and loved here at Fairway.

Bob received his undergraduate and master’s degree in business which served him well in his first career. He received a second master’s degree from Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary with a concentration in Pastoral Counseling. He was ordained as a Minister of the Gospel in 2010 and served six years as a Pastoral Counselor and Care Ministry Director at Cedar Creek Church in Aiken, SC. Bob considers his second career and his current work as a servant of God to be proof that we spend a lifetime being shaped by God to do the work He sent us here to do. (Jeremiah 29:11) “For I know the plans I have for you…..”

Dr. Tom Beckner

Associate Minister of Discipleship

Tom has a wide background of ministry experience over the past 40 years. He has served as a chaplain in both county jails and state prisons and has held executive staff positions at two non-profit correctional ministries. In addition, Tom has held faculty positions at two Christian colleges and was an adjunct professor at two others. In local churches, he has been a teacher, small group leader, elder, and part-time minister.

Tom and his wife, Beverly, have been married for more than 50 years, and Tom acknowledges that she has always been his most enthusiastic supporter in each of his ministry roles. They are convinced that God has led them to Fairway “for such a time as this.” They have one daughter, two granddaughters, and one great-grandson.

Tom has degrees from Milligan College (BA), Kent State University (MA), Georgia State University (MS), and the University of Tennessee (Ph.D.). He is the author of Correctional Chaplains: Keepers of the Cloak, which is widely used as a training text across the United States and Canada.