Our Church Leadership

Our Church thrives because of the energy and style of the people who lead it. Here are a few of the people that make our church community special:

Rev. Dr. Jeffrey DeYoe

Senior Pastor beginning on April 1, 2012

David Dietzel - Parish Associate for Pasoral Care; Pastor Emeritus

Rev. Dietzel is a graduate of Otterbein College and holds a Bachelor Degree in Ministry from Evangelical Theological Seminary and a Masters of Divinity from McCormack Seminary in Chicago.  He has served in churches in Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Florida over a forty year period.  He previously served as Associate Pastor for five years at Covenant and along with his wife, Marlene, has made a home in the hearts of the congregation through their dedication and loyalty to the church. 

Children and Youth Ministries

Dawn Castner - Director of Children's Ministry & Director of Publications 

Dawn moved from Ohio in 2001 and  became a member of Covenent.  She has a Bachelor of Science in Politcal Science / Criminal Justice and an Associates Degree in Sociology.  She previously worked as a licensed Social Worker and was a Family Advocate and Case Manager.  She has worked with kids since graduating from the University of Akron in 1992.  She has been on staff at Covenent since May 2002, when she started as the Director of Nursery and Childcare.  Since then, Dawn's position has evolved to Director of Children's Ministry and Director of Publications which includes the website, newsletters, Concert Series programs, as well as many other publications.

Dawn has two daughters: Lauren and Brooke and a dog named Jack.

Hayley Stevens - Interim Director of Youth Ministries

Hayley moved to Florida from Minnesota in the summer of 2007 with her husband, Sean.  They have two children: Lochlann and Saoirse.  Hayley has a Bachelors in English with an emphasis in Middle School Education.  She has worked with children in various ways including in our church nursery and as a volleyball coach for Junior Varsity and Freshman teams.  

Hayley is an active MOPS member and serves on the Steering Committee as the Speaker Coordinator.

  Music Ministry

Dr. Warren Apple - Director of Music

Warren began his ministry at Covenant in September 2011.  He has his Doctor of Music Arts from Eastman School of Music of the University of Rochester NY.  He also has a Master of Music.  He has been a student at Vienna (Austria) Conservatory of Music and Performing Arts.

Warren is married to Nancy Speakman Apple and has three sons.

Betsy Randolph - Director of Children's Choir

Betsy Duncan Randolph, Children's Music Director, loves teaching, children and music,.  For her, it is the perfect combination for why she is so blessed  and happy to be called to the Children's Music Ministry at Covenant.  Betsy  is a Stetson University graduate, and has worked with children's choirs for over 15 years.  She is in her second year of study for certification in Children's Music from  the Choristers Guild Institute, and is always in the process of learning more about all three loves in her life.  She finds children's music ministry to be multi faceted, including Christian education, music education, teaching teamwork , responsibility and proper inclusion  of children in worship.  She also owns and operates the Randolph piano studio, which began in 1980.  She is certified in piano teaching by both the Florida and the National Music Teachers Associations.  She teaches general music classes to preschoolers all over town, and accompanies band students and singers when the need arises.  She truly believes that music is the key to the soul and to God's own heart. 

  Administrative Staff

Barbara Heflin - Administrative Assistant

Barbara serves on a volunteer basis as Administrative Assistant to the pastors, oversees the preparation of worship and memorial bulletins, coordinates receptionists for the front desk, serves as liaison to the Session and performs numerous other office duties.  She is an Elder, Clerk of Session, chair of the Worship Committee and is in the Jubilate Ringers Handbell Choir.  She and her husband, Dean, have been members of Covenant for 40 years and she has served on staff on three different occasions totaling 20 + years.

Nanette Smith - Administrative Assistant

Nanette is a volunteer in the church office, assisting with the publication of the Sunday bulletin.  Her professional experience has been as a vice president at Edison College in communications and development, as well as with businesses in public relations and advertising.  She has been at Covenant since moving from Tampa in 1965.  She has served as a deacon, elder and trustee.  She is currently serving as treasurer and on the 50th Anniversary Committee.

Jean Ann Gogerty - Bookkeeper

Jean Ann had been in Ft. Myers for 37 years, originally from Oklahoma.  She is married to her best friend, Mitch.  Between them, they have four children.  Christina and Ronnie are in their mid-twenties; Luke plays football at John Carroll University in Ohio; and PJ is in the eight grade at ECS.  They worship at Cape Christian Fellowship and love spending time in the northeast Georgia mountains, camping anywhere (in a camper, naturally!), bike riding, and of course, the Gators!

Jean Ann started at Covenant as a part-time bookkeeper in March 2011.

Mary Callaway - Financial and Attendance Secretary 

Mary volunteers her time to this position.  She keeps records of personal contributions to the church, posts attendance and attempts to keep the computer data system up to date.  Mary and Steve have been members at Covenant for 9 years.

  Facility Maintenance

Gary Brothers - Facilities Manager

Gary and his wife Mary Kay started attending Covenant Presbyterian Church in 2004, becoming members in 2005.  Gary has served Covenant in numerous ways.  Being blessed with the knowledge and capability to fix or build almost anything; he volunteered for the church property committee.  He has also served as a deacon and as a Stephen Minister. Gary’s career path has been varied, interesting and taken him across the country.  After receiving a diploma in Management of Information Systems he took a sideline position managing one of the largest entertainment establishments in the country.  This diversion lasted for over 10 years.  He finally decided to pursue a position utilizing his degree, working with computers.  For the next 20 plus years, Gary worked as a computer service engineer, sales and national reorganization manager.  The last 18 years of his computer career was spent with EDS, traveling nationwide deploying and supporting networks and computer systems with General Motors, GMAC, DOW and most of the larger credit unions in the country.  In his free time, Gary engaged in investment real estate which is what ultimately brought him to Ft. Myers.  Gary is a licensed real estate agent, a certified community association manager and possesses vast experience in property management and maintenance.  During his down time he enjoys time on the beach and boating.

Barbara Thrasher - Custodial Care

Barbara was born and raised in Indiana.  She has 2 sons, Jason who lives in Florida with his wife and 2 sons and Jim who lives in Indian.  Barbar previously had her own cake and catering business for 10 years prior to moving to Florida in 1996.  She started working for Covenant in 1998.

To Our Volunteers

We honor all the volunteers who have served as teachers, office workers, choir directors, musicians, event assistants, counters, library workers, committee members, property caretakers, ushers, greeters, visitation volunteers, prayer ministry coordinators, designers, supply organizers - the list of helpers is countless!  On behalf of the entire congregation, THANK YOU FOR YOUR DEDICATED SERVICE!