Ministers and Staff - Fairway Christian Church

Meet Our Ministers

Mark Fessler

Preaching Minister

Mark was born in Covington, KY, and raised in a Christian home. His father’s call to the ministry had a significant impact on Mark, and he too committed to faithfully serving the Church of Jesus Christ.

Mark holds a Bachelor’s degree in Preaching Ministry from Atlanta Christian College and a Masters degree from Emmanuel School of Religion. He has served over 40 years in the local ministry in Christian Churches throughout the Southeast. He has been privileged to serve as Minister of Music, Bible College Professor, Christian School Principal, and Preaching Minister. Mark began his ministry here at Fairway in 2008, having concluded a 10-year preaching ministry in GA.

Mark and his wife, Ann, have been married over 40 years. They have 4 children, who are also involved in ministry. And they are always eager to tell you about their 12 grandchildren.

John Penn

Associate Minister of Worship

John came to Fairway from North Vernon, IN, in 2005 to serve as worship leader and choir director, to help with visitation, teaching and occasional preaching. He was reared in Elkhart, IN, came from a background as a sales engineer, having a degree from Purdue, but also as a bi-vocational minister, having served with smaller churches in southern Indiana.

John became a Christian in the army (’67-’69, Ft. Huachuca, AZ), and after leaving the service, enrolled at Cincinnati Bible Seminary, where he spent two years and met and married Brenda. They have two boys. Along with his wife, the older teaches at a school in Puerto Rico (and also leads worship at their church, like his dad), and the younger and his wife and their son, John Robert, live, work, and are very involved in their church in Naples, FL.

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 and one son, Jordan, who lives at home.

William “Butch” Gastfield

Associate Minister of Outreach & Involvement

Butch is the son of a retired US Air Force serviceman and along with his two younger brothers has also proudly served in the US Air Force. He was called out of service into the ministry in 1983. Butch holds a Bachelors degree in Preaching from Florida Christian College (now Johnson University Florida) and has a Masters degree in Counseling Psychology from Palm Beach Atlantic University. He has served in the Preaching ministry for 20 years and worked with the Orlando based Pathway Counseling Ministry for two years.

Butch and his wife DeDe have been married over 33 years, with 3 children, 2 granddaughters and a grandson. Butch is especially excited to serve at Fairway, a church he assisted in planting in 1999. He serves primarily in the areas of involvement and outreach, also helping in visitation, teaching, and preaching as needed.

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. He retired a second-time last June. 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. (Jerimiah 29:11) “For I know the plans I have for you…..”

Fairway’s Staff