Rev. James Drake serves as the Lead Pastor of Christchurch Miami, a vibrant and growing faith family committed to helping people know, love, and serve Jesus. With over two decades of ministry experience, James combines theological depth, leadership excellence, and an adventurous spirit that keeps life anything but ordinary.

He holds a B.S. in Business Administration from Samford University and a Master of Divinity from Beeson Divinity School, where he also met his college-sprinter-turned-wife, Heidi. Since 2004, James has served with Cru, helping launch ministries, mentor leaders, and engage cities with the Gospel. Together, he and Heidi speak nationwide for FamilyLife’s Weekend to Remember marriage conferences, encouraging thousands of couples to build stronger relationships through Christ.

James is a U.S. Army Chaplain serving with the 20th Special Forces Group (Airborne) and with Baseball Chapel for the Miami Marlins, ministering to Soldiers and professional athletes alike. He also serves on several nonprofit boards, including Explore Foster Miami, City to City Miami, and the Florida Faith Council, where he was appointed by Governor Ron DeSantis.

Outside of ministry, James is known for blending faith, fitness, and flight. A licensed pilot since 2003, he loves taking to the skies when he’s not training on the ground. He’s competed on NBC’s American Ninja Warrior, represented Team USA on Netflix’s Ultimate Beastmaster, and most recently placed Top 10 in the HYROX World Games (Men’s Pro Doubles 40–49). Widely considered by many to be the fittest chaplain in the U.S. Army, his Soldiers affectionately call him “Chaplain America.”

James and Heidi live in Miami with their five children and hunting dog Ginger who is fully convinced she runs the house. Together, they are passionate about faith, family, and helping others take their next step with Jesus.

Follow James on social media @jamesbryandrake or visit www.jamesandheidi.com to learn more.

Kent is originally from Kansas City. His dad was an Air Force pilot, so the family moved around a lot, landing in Birmingham, Alabama where Kent became a Christian as a teenager. He spent 14 years as a youth worker / youth pastor himself, first with Youth for Christ in Ft. Lauderdale, and then with Key Biscayne Presbyterian Church and his pastor, mentor and good friend Steve Brown. (Yes, the guy with the real deep voice.) Since 1994 Kent has been a church planter, solo pastor, Senior Pastor and now Teaching Pastor.

Kent has a BA and M. Ed. from the University of Montevallo in Alabama; a Master’s of Divinity from Reformed Theological Seminary in Orlando; and a Doctorate in Ministry from Covenant Theological Seminary in St. Louis. He has written for and been published in numerous popular and scholarly works … all of which would come as quite a shock to his high school teachers and college professors. Especially his college professors.

He also has published a book of some his best blogs titled Random Observations of an Orderly Universe (available at www.lulu.com), or you can read many of them right here on the website.

Kent and his wife Heidi have four children, one grandchild, four cats, a German Shepherd who thinks she’s a lap-dog, and a desperate need for a zoo keeper’s license. In his spare time, Kent has been known to read a book or two and to follow Major League Baseball.

Alice serves as the Director of Operations at Christchurch Miami, where she has been faithfully overseeing the administrative and operational areas of the church for the past four years. With a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and over seven years of administrative experience in both healthcare and retail, Alice brings strong organizational and leadership skills to support the mission and ministries of the church. In her role, she helps ensure that day-to-day operations run smoothly—coordinating logistics, managing resources, and assisting in the planning of church events and initiatives.

Alice is married to Joshua Roque, an elder at Christchurch Miami, and together they have a 7-year-old daughter who attends Kendall Christian School. She loves being part of a church family where faith and community grow side by side and finds great joy in serving both behind the scenes and alongside others in ministry.

Jenny is the friendly face that keeps things running smoothly here at Christchurch Miami! She helps coordinate events, supports our ministry teams, and makes sure every detail behind the scenes is taken care of. She was also a proud teacher at our very own Kendall Christian School (KCS) for 4 years. With her warm personality and heart for serving others, Jenny loves helping our church feel like home for everyone who walks through these doors.