Our Leadership
Ron Tipton
Senior Pastor
ron@murdockbaptistchurch.com
Learn more about Pastor Ron
I grew up in central Ohio, as did Amy, my wife, of 35 years. I was very active in my church as a teenager, knew all the answers, had even been baptized, but didn’t know Jesus. It was until I was 15 that I finally surrendered my will and Jesus saved me. I was working towards being a doctor, neurosurgery specifically, when God made it very clear that ministry was my future.
I attended Carson-Newman College and The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in preparation prior to serving churches in Kentucky, Ohio and now in Florida. I also served at LifeWay Christian Resources coordinating Centrifuge and then as the Director at Jonathan Creek in Kentucky. Amy and I have two sons and three grandchildren. Away from the office I relax by reading, walking, working puzzles and looking for others wanting to play games.
My desire for myself and our church is that we work to be faithful to share the gospel with those who need Jesus, and then help them grow up in Christ once they come to know Him. I want and work to help people learn to study the Bible for themselves.
Michelle Burns
Administrative Assistant
michelle@murdockbaptistchurch.com
I am the Administrative Assistant to our Sr. Pastor Ron Tipton.
Originally from Janesville, Wisconsin but have lived in this area since 1982. I have been married to my husband Jeff for 35 years. In my spare time, together we serve at the Jesus Loves You Ministry, an outreach to the homeless in our community. I also enjoy bible study, walks with my husband and our dog Judah, road trips, fishing and time with family.
Bryan Skupin
Director of Family Life
bryan@murdockbaptistchurch.com
I was born in Bremen, Germany in 1974 to German parents, but I grew up in Louisiana where I was enrolled in school and learned to speak English. After Graduation, I started my career as a draftsman and used my skills to design engine parts using various CAD programs. I was introduced to Christianity by a coworker in Mobile, AL. He pursued me and invited me to come to his church many times over a three year period. After running out of excuses I went with him one night to a church concert, afterwards he asked me questions and challenged me about my relationship with God. That night I chose to repent of my sins and follow Christ.
I am blessed to be married to Elissa and together, we have three wonderful daughters – Mary, Charlotte, and Anneliese – each with their own unique personalities. Our family has grown even more with the addition of a loving son-in-law, Ryan, and three grandchildren.
At Murdock Baptist Church, I serve as a support staff member with a primary focus on leading the youth to grow in their understanding of God’s word and sharing the gospel. My passion is to help families and their children to know the Lord and grow in their relationship with Him.
In addition to my commitment to serving the Lord, I have a lifelong fascination with aviation. I find it truly amazing how humans are able to build machines that can soar through the skies. Even though he is still young, I now share that passion with my grandson because we both enjoy the intricacies of flight. I hope that our love for aviation will be a tool that we can use for mission work in the future, using our skills and interests to spread the gospel in new and innovative ways.
Gordon Caldwell
Missions Director
gordon@murdockbaptistchurch.com
Our Missions program at Murdock Baptist Church is based on Acts 1:8 where Jesus tells His followers that they will be His witnesses in their city, state, country and even to the all nations of the earth. We start by offering training on effective testimonies and Gospel conversations. We have relationships with several organizations (hospitals, schools, nursing homes, homeless shelter, disaster relief and more) in our area who encourage and enable us to help and serve people and point them to a relationship with God through Jesus Christ. We also have relationships with Southern Baptist organizations in Florida, North America and the nations which encourage and facilitate volunteer mission teams to come and serve in the name of Jesus. Our most recent focus is on Cuba missions where we have gone 7 times. I love to be led by God to help people know him and to share with others how they too can have a personal relationship with Him.
Originally from Pierre, South Dakota, I studied Mechanical Engineering at South Dakota State University. I worked for the DuPont Company for 35 years in Richmond, Virginia where I met my wife, Bonnie. We have been married for 40 years. We have 4 children and 5 grandchildren. After my retirement in 2004 we served as International Missions Board (SBC) missionaries for 1 ½ years in Uganda, Africa. We moved to North Port in 2010 and I have volunteered as Director of Missions since 2011.
In our spare time, Bonnie and I enjoy traveling, antiquing, gardening and reading the Bible together. I enjoy running, biking, Nascar racing, antique clocks and adding machines.
Karrie Anderson
Preschool Director
karrie@murdockbaptistchurch.com
My prayer for the preschool department is to partner with parents to lay a Biblical foundation for children that will one day lead to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.
I grew up in a Christian home taught to love God and His church. I recognized my need for a Savior at the age of nine. My parents were missionaries in Brazil for 27 years which greatly impacted my life in many positive ways. I taught my first preschool Sunday school class in middle school.
I attended the University of Florida (Go Gators!) where I met and married Michael. We have been in ministry together from the very beginning. We now have 5 beautiful children which we home-school.
I enjoy traveling, beach or mountains! I like to read and take naps. Cats are my favorite animal.
Michael Anderson
Worship Pastor/Elder
michael@murdockbaptistchurch.com
Learn more about Michael
My role as associate pastor here at Murdock includes leading the Worship Arts Ministries of our church. Our band, orchestra, vocal team, and choir serve in leading the musical elements of our weekly services, as well as special services and events throughout the year.
Having been a life long Floridian, I served as the worship leader for my first church at 19 in Jacksonville, FL. I met my wife, Karrie, while attending the University of Florida (2001, Bachelor of Music Education). We were married in 2001, and in 2004, we moved to attend New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary where I studied worship leadership. After returning to Gainesville where we served at the same church for over 15 years, we moved to SW Florida and joined the staff at MBC in May of 2018. Karrie and I have 5 awesome kids who amaze us every day.
In my spare time, I love going fishing with friends and family, and watching all things Gator sports. I also really enjoy teaching kids Jiu-Jitsu while training myself along with three of our five children.
Samuel Heavener
Guest Services & Media Technology Director
sam@murdockbaptistchurch.com
Learn more about Samuel
I was born and raised in Port Charlotte, Florida, and have very recently come to know Jesus as my personal Savior. All my life I’ve called myself a Christian but never have I come to have as deep a relationship with God as I have since joining the awesome team here at Murdock Baptist Church.
I graduated from Port Charlotte High School in 2018 and went on to get my associate degree from Florida SouthWestern State College. I then enrolled in the IT program at Charlotte Technical College and earned some industry certifications from CompTia. Over the next couple years, I took on a couple small IT jobs that never bore any fruit, but as soon as I was led here in January 2023, my life changed for the better.
Here at the church, I oversee all aspects of guest services, hospitality, cleaning, and technology as they relate to worship, fellowship, and special events. I aspire to grow in my relationship with Christ while developing long-lasting friendships.
Jennifer Dueboay
Church Treasurer
treasurer@murdockbaptistchurch.com
Learn more about Jennifer
I’ve been a member of Murdock Baptist Church for 10+ years, but more importantly a Christian for 15 years. I’ve been married to my wonderful husband, Troy Dueboay (Lifegroup Leader of Armored Disciples) for 12 years and we have two daughters Ellie (9) and Rylee (7).
I am looking forward to continuing to serve the Church in the capacity of Treasurer.
My ministry experience has ranged from youth leader at a church in Arcadia, to preschool/children’s ministry here at Murdock and most recently a member of the stewardship committee. My finance experience is just as wide as my ministry experience starting with Executive Assistant to the CFO of Farm Credit right out of college where I earned a Business Degree from Warner University.
To further my finance career, I moved into Accounting holding several positions before becoming a Financial Analyst, then Credit Administrator with my current role of Capital Markets Officer, VP. My nearly 20-year career with Farm Credit has been propelled by my love for Farmers and the dividend program Farm Credit offers as a cooperative.
That being said, you can only imagine my passion for God’s children and the eternal dividends provided by our All-Mighty Creator! Thank you church, for allowing me to use my career talents to serve Him more!
Jeff Burns
Elder
As a recently ordained Elder of MBC I look forward to serving the Lord with our Elders in shepherding the flock.
I’ve lived in Charlotte County for most of my life and attended Charlotte High. I married my wife Michelle in 1988 and we have an adorable Labrador Retriever we call Judah. I’m self-employed and the owner of Burns Tile & Design and have been doing business in the area since 1987. We’ve been attending Murdock Baptist Church since 2011. My passion is serving the Lord, and I’ve been doing this through various ministries including homeless outreach since 2000. I am the President of the Board as well as a volunteer at Jesus Loves You Ministry. We enjoy being involved where God is working. We love our Lord Jesus.
Ron Gaudio
Elder
My name is Ron Gaudio, which was slightly but emphatically lengthened during times of great excitement to “Ronald”, or “Ronald Lee” by my Mother. Within the first five years of my life my family experienced two traumatic events. The first was the death of my Father when I was only two years of age. It was a work-related accident. The second was an automobile accident that ended the life of my aunt’s husband and two children. I believe that these two events contributed to my calling to fulltime Christian service years later as God kept nudging me to be of service to others through His guidance.
For the past 50 years I have served as a Young Adult Bible Teacher, Song Leader, Youth For Christ leader, Church Youth Director, Nursing Home Chaplain, Assistant Pastor, Church Pastor and a Hospital Chaplain.
God has been faithful and good to me for all those years. It has been 54 years since I placed my full faith and trust in Jesus Christ as my Personal Savior. The verse, “I want you wither hot or cold” in Revelation 3:15-16, convicted me of my sin and the need for my sins to be forgiven – I John 1:9-10.
I got married to Beth in 1972 and we have four children: Micah, Sarah, Jesse, and Rachel and six grandchildren. I am a graduate of Trinity Bible College and Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. I have Diplomate status in Pastoral Supervision, which gives me the privilege of training chaplains and
ministers in Clinical Pastoral Education.
I am excited and humbled to serve at Murdock Baptist Church as an Elder and look forward to getting to know each of you better in the Lord. As Elder at Murdock
Baptist Church I will be serving as teacher of the Good Grief Life Group, preaching as needed and general Encourager to the Flock.
Paul Million
Elder
Learn more about Elder Paul
My responsibilities at Murdock Baptist Church as an Elder are to: teach, lead, pray and model Christian maturity
Originally from Indiana, I met my wife Terri on campus at Indiana University in Bloomington where I studied Political Science and Communications. We moved to Port Charlotte from Northern Virginia in 2003. I have been married 45 years and have two adult children. I enjoy reading, hosting in-home bible studies and building relationships. I am partial to watching college basketball and football.
Jim Whatley
Elder
jamesvwhatley@hotmail.com
My name is James (Jim) Whatley. I was born and raised in El Segundo, California. I served 2 years in the US Army the 2nd Armor Division, Fort Hood Texas, as an MP. I graduated from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Academy in January of 1969 and started working as a Police Office For the city of El Segundo.
During this time, I met and married my wife Darlene, and we had two sons, David and Michael. We have two grandchildren.
We moved to Port Charlotte in 1983 and joined Murdock Baptist Church on 7/29/2012. Darlene and I attend the 8am life group, Climbing Higher. We are also on the Connection Team. I attend the Tuesday night men’s Bible study and operate camera #2 during the morning worship service. I am currently employed as the Facility Manager at Jesus Loves You Ministry Inc., an outreach to the homeless of Charlotte County.
I was ordained as an Elder of MBC on July 7, 2024. I look forward to help meeting the needs of our congregation and the community, ministering to the sick and hospitalized, and praying with and for all that have needs. But most of all I look forward to sharing my LORD and SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST!
Elmer Yeager
As an Elder of MBC, ordained in 2022, my responsibilities include assisting the Pastor and other ministries in their functions, including communion, visitation, outreach, instruction, and providing sermons when called upon. I also lead the ‘Monday Night Life!’ Life Group in in-depth, verse-by-verse studies of the Bible, where we also provide close fellowship support for each other within and outside of ‘MNL’.
My wife Shirley and I are originally from Western PA and were married there 41 years ago, and we have 2 children (Doug and Amanda), and 3 grandchildren from our son and his family. I joined the Army in 1982, serving 4 years. Since then, I have performed IT Support on various US Government programs, from technical to programmatic leadership roles. We have been in the Sarasota/North Port area since 1988. I achieved earning a B.B.A. and M.B.A. from Saint Leo University.
Shirley and I support various Biblical-based groups, and I enjoy the shooting sports and support various Amendment groups when I have the opportunity. I also enjoy reading American History books and studies when not studying Scriptural subjects.
Our Leadership and their Spouses
