The Reverend Bob Martin is St. Pete First’s Senior Pastor. He is a native Floridian whose background has entailed many paths that have led him into the ordained ministry. Prior to answering his call to become a pastor in 1993, Pastor Bob spent years working in the secular industries of high tech electro-optical laser manufacturing as well as being a professional recruiter with a national company. His understanding the challenges of what hardworking people go through brings a unique perspective to his teaching ministry as a pastor.

 

Creating a culture where people can get in touch with the God who created them and know fully His love and desire for them to live their life’s dreams, is central to Pastor Bob’s purpose. Deeply believing, “We all have two innate needs in life: to love and be loved”, Bob focuses on helping others remove the barriers that hold them back from living that purpose and with God’s leading, strives to give others the tools to find a deeper sense of Christian love and calling in life.

Pastor Elyse Nielsen is passionate about sharing God's love through evangelism, preaching, hospitality, and discipleship. In her last appointment, she used her fifteen years of experience in children and youth ministry to plant a church in a preschool and to revitalize an established congregation.

 

Before ministry, she toured nationally and internationally with the Missoula Children's Theatre. The intersection of the arts, education, "secular" spaces, evangelism, and social activism is where she feels called to urge the local church into ministry. She also has experience with ministry on the margins like bar ministry and prison chaplaincy. Pastor Elyse earned her Master's of Divinity from Wesley Theological Seminary in 2015 and was ordained as an elder in full connection with the Florida Conference of the United Methodist Church in 2020.

 

Pastor Elyse, her husband Eric, and daughter Eleanor just welcomed baby boy Ethan to the family. Eleanor is a two-year-old who loves the outdoors, books, and parroting whatever adults say! Eric is an avid reader and major Pats football fan. Pastor Elyse enjoys dancing, dinner parties, and going to the beach. They also have Reggie, the cockatiel. 

Pastor Carey Taylor was born and raised in Pinellas County, and loves doing ministry in the community she has always called home. 

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After discerning a call to ministry in high school, Carey attended Florida Southern College and got her MDiv at Candler School of Theology. Since then, she has experience in children, youth, and family ministries. She has also served as a community organizer and is passionate about advocating for justice.

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Pastor Carey loves novels, beach days, and exploring local parks with her rescue dog Finley. She and her husband Brendan are expecting their first child in September 2025! Carey is passionate about connecting the resources of the church with the needs of the world. She believes we have all been created to partner with God in creating communities that look as much like heaven as possible.