Who we are.

Pastor Chuck Gargan

A man and a woman smiling and posing together, with the man wearing a dark floral Hawaiian shirt and the woman wearing a white sleeveless blouse and glasses.

 Pastor Chuck Gargan and his wife, Vicki, are originally from the New Jersey Shore and have now been at the American Baptist Church of Lakeland for eight years. They work as a team and have a heart for Senior Ministry and anyone seeking to know Christ and grow in Him. Vicki is the prayer and Chuck is the teacher!

     Pastor Chuck is known for his love for Scripture and life application story telling which is relatable to most. And, Vicki is known for her outgoing personality that exudes “Welcome!”

     Pastor Chuck graduated with a Masters in Divinity from the Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary of Wynnewood, PA in 2005 and received his Ordination as an American Baptist minister in 2007 through the American Baptists of New Jersey. His hobbies are bike riding, gym workouts, and American history, which includes historical artifacts and American coins. He and Vicki enjoy exploring Florida together (when they can make time) and, of course, enjoying family and grandkids in NJ during summer vacation.

Our Deacons

Virginia Pettis

Smiling woman with short brown hair, wearing a white shirt with palm tree prints, earrings, and a necklace.

I was born and raised in Rhode Island. As a life long member of the Roger Williams Baptist Church in Providence, RI, I taught Sunday School, sang in the choir and served on several boards and committees including the board of Deacons. My family and I did camping trips while I was a child and I continued doing them even after having grown up. My family spent many years as members of the Good Sam Camping Club. I moved to Florida and settled in Lakeland in 2006 not far from my parents.

An older man with gray hair, glasses, and a mustache wearing a dark shirt, and an older woman with shoulder-length red hair wearing a denim jacket and a floral shirt, both smiling and standing against a plain light-colored wall.

Johnny Reeves

I was born in New Martinsville WV in 1955 and came to know the Lord as my Savior when I was 17 years old. I enlisted in the United States Air Force when I was 23 years old and met my wonderful wife Janet while stationed at Lowry AFB in Denver Colorado. I served the US Air Force on active duty for twenty years. During that time I had the pleasure of serving on a secretary of the air Force special access program working on the F1117 stealth fighter program. After retiring from the Air Force I started working as a contractor at Melrose bombing range maintaining radar equipment and training B52 and B1 bomber crews on electronic countermeasures. Jan and I were blessed with two wonderful sons and have been married for 47 years. We decided to move to Florida from New Mexico after 42 years of service to our government.

Bob Greene

An elderly man with gray hair and glasses playing an electronic keyboard in a room.

I started piano lessons when I was 7 or 8 years old. I came to accept Jesus in my life when I was 14, and since then have tried to blend the two actively. My hobbies include genealogy, tennis and creating special hymns and songs on my electronic keyboard.

Ray Smith

Ray Smith is from the state of Pennsylvania. He enlisted in the United States Air Force out of high school where he served for 7 years and is a Vietnam Veteran. After leaving the military, Ray worked as a truck mechanic until he retired. Ray accepted Jesus as his savior in 1984. Ray likes to fish in both saltwater and freshwater.

Donald McClung

A smiling older man with light hair wearing a colorful Hawaiian shirt with parrots and fruit.

Born in Maryland in 1948, born in Christ in 1964. Raised in Delaware Retired USAF CMSgt. Continually growing in the Lord through daily prayer and Bible study. Enjoys spending time with son and daughter and their 6 children. He is a baseball and football fan.

Nick Ramey

A man with long dark hair and a full beard taking a selfie indoors against a beige textured wall.

Nick Ramey is originally from Ohio and moved to Florida when he was 10. Nick helps with updating the sign out front as well as created and maintains this website. He enjoys good poetry and often puts on performances at Sunday morning service expounding on the love of God and encourages all to never lose hope.

He was baptized here at the American Baptist Church by Pastor Chuck in July of 2025 and continues to strive to further God’s reach to others.

Aside from being active within the church community, Nick enjoys playing on his computer, spending time with his family and going out to eat. Nick also enjoys getting immersed in fantasy story writing and is a fan of Star Wars.