Mark Bedwell
Senior Pastor
Pastor Mark and his family joined the Ardella family In May 2016. His wife Kim is the CFO for Florida Baptist Children's Home. Together they have two children, a son Christian and a daughter Shelby. Both are currently attending college.
Pastor Mark surrendered to the ministry in 1993 and began serving in student ministry in Texas, Mississippi, and Florida. He completed his Master's degree and Doctorate at the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Prior to coming to Ardella Baptist Church, Pastor Mark served as Discipleship Pastor, Missions Pastor, Campus Pastor, and was the interim National Director for Faith Riders Motorcycle Ministry. Ardella Baptist is his first Senior Pastor position, and he loves every minute of it.
Pastor Mark loves golfing, riding his Harley, spending time with his family, church family, and dog Max. You can meet him and his wife Kim when you visit Ardella Baptist Church. They both serve as greeters at the front door.
Pastor Mark surrendered to the ministry in 1993 and began serving in student ministry in Texas, Mississippi, and Florida. He completed his Master's degree and Doctorate at the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Prior to coming to Ardella Baptist Church, Pastor Mark served as Discipleship Pastor, Missions Pastor, Campus Pastor, and was the interim National Director for Faith Riders Motorcycle Ministry. Ardella Baptist is his first Senior Pastor position, and he loves every minute of it.
Pastor Mark loves golfing, riding his Harley, spending time with his family, church family, and dog Max. You can meet him and his wife Kim when you visit Ardella Baptist Church. They both serve as greeters at the front door.
MEET THE TEAM
MAX BRADDOCK
Discipleship Pastor
Pastor Max and his wife Heidi joined the Ardella family in February 2017. They have four children and twelve grandchildren.
Pastor Max surrendered to God's call to ministry in 2004 and left the business world to begin serving in discipleship and education ministry in Florida and Georgia.
Before coming to Ardella Baptist Church, Pastor Max served as Assimilation and Discipleship Pastor, Education Pastor, and Inner City Missions Leader.
Pastor Max loves reading, spending time with his family, church family and taking vacations in the mountains with Heidi.
Pastor Max surrendered to God's call to ministry in 2004 and left the business world to begin serving in discipleship and education ministry in Florida and Georgia.
Before coming to Ardella Baptist Church, Pastor Max served as Assimilation and Discipleship Pastor, Education Pastor, and Inner City Missions Leader.
Pastor Max loves reading, spending time with his family, church family and taking vacations in the mountains with Heidi.
MARK THOMPSON
Family Pastor
Pastor Mark and Tracie joined the Ardella family in March 2018. They have three children.
Pastor Mark has served in student/family ministry in Pennsylvania, Michigan, and New York over the past 25 years. His greatest passion is seeing God change lives, especially in the lives of students.
Pastor Mark loves spending time with family, playing board games, and enjoys sports. He has coached basketball in both Christian and public schools.
Pastor Mark has served in student/family ministry in Pennsylvania, Michigan, and New York over the past 25 years. His greatest passion is seeing God change lives, especially in the lives of students.
Pastor Mark loves spending time with family, playing board games, and enjoys sports. He has coached basketball in both Christian and public schools.
Marge McClintock
Ministry Assistant
Marge joined Ardella Baptist Church in April 2017 and has been the Ministry Assistant since October, 2018 following the passing of her husband of 43 years, Michael. Originally from New York and New Jersey, she and her husband moved to Florida in 2005. She is blessed with a loving family of five children and 13 grandchildren. Her passion is to encourage widowed and single women to know Christ as Lord and Savior, grow in His word, and glorify God using the gifts God has given.
She is a member of N.A.M.A. (National Association of Ministry Assistants) and has been on three mission trips. She currently serves as an elementary age Sunday school teacher, AWANA worker and coordinates the Embrace Widow Ministry at Ardella. Her hobbies include reading, gardening, writing and walking.
She is a member of N.A.M.A. (National Association of Ministry Assistants) and has been on three mission trips. She currently serves as an elementary age Sunday school teacher, AWANA worker and coordinates the Embrace Widow Ministry at Ardella. Her hobbies include reading, gardening, writing and walking.
CHRIS SALLSTROM
Kid's Director
Chris has served in Kid’s ministry for the last 20-some years alongside her husband Todd. Work with Elementary and Preschool students has been her focus, as she and Todd also worked with teenagers.
The last 7yrs found Chris as a Preschool Director/Teacher. It is good to bring that experience to Ardella where God’s Word has been faithfully taught for the last 100 yrs.
Chris is responsible for the Elementary Sunday morning and also helps with AWANA on Wednesday nights. On Fridays you will find Chris hanging out with Elementary children during WOW. In each area, God’s Word is taught and a relationship with God and others is highlighted.
The last 7yrs found Chris as a Preschool Director/Teacher. It is good to bring that experience to Ardella where God’s Word has been faithfully taught for the last 100 yrs.
Chris is responsible for the Elementary Sunday morning and also helps with AWANA on Wednesday nights. On Fridays you will find Chris hanging out with Elementary children during WOW. In each area, God’s Word is taught and a relationship with God and others is highlighted.
Marissa Bryant
Preschool Director
Marissa and her husband joined the Ardella family in January 2016. Marissa graduated from Texas State University with a B.A. in Criminal Justice. Marissa moved to Lakeland after marrying Jamieson in January 2014. Marissa Started volunteering in the Children’s Ministry at Ardella in April of 2017. This was in pursuit of her passion with working with children at Oak Hills Church in San Antonio, Texas. In her free time, she enjoys reading, DIY projects and traveling. Her favorite trips were to Scotland and Canada and her most memorable places to serve were twice in Haiti and once in Guatemala with her husband.
Alexis Robinson
Nursery Director
Alexis Robinson and her husband Jacob became members of Ardella early in 2017. They have two sons; Atlas and Asher.
In high school, Lexi rededicated her life to Christ after finally accepting His grace; she then felt pulled to be baptized again shortly after. Her walk with Jesus and ministry continued to grow together as she served as a Youth Intern at Lakes Church from 2010-2012.
Lexi has spent the past 5 years being a Stay at Home Wife and Mom. She is excited to be blessed with the opportunity to serve and work in ministry again! Lexi is a Discussion Group Leader and helps organize events for WoW. She’s also fully involved in Awana and KidMin on Wednesdays and Sundays.
In high school, Lexi rededicated her life to Christ after finally accepting His grace; she then felt pulled to be baptized again shortly after. Her walk with Jesus and ministry continued to grow together as she served as a Youth Intern at Lakes Church from 2010-2012.
Lexi has spent the past 5 years being a Stay at Home Wife and Mom. She is excited to be blessed with the opportunity to serve and work in ministry again! Lexi is a Discussion Group Leader and helps organize events for WoW. She’s also fully involved in Awana and KidMin on Wednesdays and Sundays.
Brad Weishaupt
Worship Arts Director
Brad and his wife Lee Ann joined Ardella Baptist during the pandemic in March of 2020, and served in various volunteer positions until coming on staff in May of 2022 as Worship Arts Director. He received his Masters of Church Music from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in 1981, and served as a full-time Minister of Music for over 25 years in Florida and South Carolina. He has served in many volunteer church positions, and taught music classes for children through adults at the state and local level. Brad enjoys kayaking, writing music arrangements, directing and playing in music ensembles, traveling and spending time with family.