Lead Pastor - Gary & Linda Bracewell
After living in various places, Gary’s family settled in Lakeland, Florida when his father retired from the military. Gary was in church from birth and his family always found a local church to connect with and serve. It was at K-Ville Assembly of God that Gary and Linda met and ultimately married in 1983. Linda, a native of Lakeland, came to know Christ after being invited to church by the pastor’s daughter. Gary and Linda have served in various church leadership roles including kids and youth ministry, school, and church administration, and are the founders of Christian Life Fellowship, aka CLF Church. Gary holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in ministry.
"We are passionate about church ministry. God has called us to love people and teach them to follow Jesus.
We enjoy spending time with family,traveling to new places, and raising Basset Hounds." - Pastor Gary
Family Pastors - Bradley & Ariel Parrott
Pastor Bradley & Ariel are from Jacksonville, FL. They serve as the Family Pastors here at CLF with their son. The two of them lead our ministry age groups from birth to high school and have been serving at CLF since January 2020. In 2015, they connected with Pastor Gary through a Men's Momentum conference and helped fill a need by serving as interim worship leaders at CLF. They both grew up in church, met at church, and Bradley proposed to Ariel at church. In 2016, Bradley and Ariel got married and did youth and Audio/visual ministry in GA for three years before returning to CLF. Bradley & Ariel both attended the District School of Ministry with the Assemblies of God in which Pastor Bradley is Ordained with the AG.
"We are passionate about raising up the next generation of followers of Jesus Christ. Ariel and I are passionate about developing students' God-given gifts and talents for the Lord" - Pastor Bradley
Worship Leaders - Matthew & La'el Lunsford
Matt has been leading worship at CLF since 2016, he graduated from South Eastern University where he studied and holds a bachelors for Science in Church Music. His passion is leading the body of Christ into true Worship and equipping and raising up Worship Leaders.
Office Manager - Roberta & Harvey Smith
Roberta and Harvey are from just north of Pittsburgh, PA. Roberta has been serving as the Office Manager at CLF Church since July 2019. They have been married since 1987 and have a daughter that lives in New Zealand. In 2001, they met Pastor Gary and Linda as well as the Lord at Evangel Heights Church in PA. When the need arose for an office manager at CLF, Roberta and Harvey decided to move to Florida and join our team.
"I love leading the 1st impressions Team as well as a Life Group at CLF because I want to make people feel included and help them in their journey towards a relationship with the Lord." - Roberta