Central Christian Church
Elders 2008

Name: Dick Chesnut
Spouse: Lorraine
Children: Lynn, Rick, Carol, Randy & Lori, Barry & Randy McCarty
Favorite scripture: Colossians 3:12-14
Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. Over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
Hobbies/interests: Wood working
Profession: Decorator for 25 years, carpenter for last 15 years
Dick was born and raised on a farm in Iowa. He moved his family to South Florida in 1967 where Dick worked in the interior decorating business. He began as installer, and then managing the workroom then became General Manager of the entire operation. He was saved in 1968 and served the Lord with the First Christian Church in Boca
Raton. In 1992, he and Lorraine decided to move to Ocala and build their retirement home. They placed their membership at Central their first Sunday and plan to serve the Lord here until the Lord calls them home. Their seven children have given them 22 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren. They feel truly blessed with a great family that also loves the Lord and serves Him.
Name: Dan Curington
Spouse: Linda
Children: Trevor and Kelly
Favorite scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore,
if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone the new has
come.
Hobbies/interests: Boating, camping, wood working, snow skiing,
watching a good movie
Profession: General Contractor, Real Estate
Developer
Dan is a fourth generation Floridian, born in Hialeah. He moved to Ocala while still in high school. Soon after graduating from high school he began working with his father in the construction field and moved to West Palm Beach and ran a branch of their family owned construction company, for about 10 years at which time he decided to move back to Ocala with his wife Linda.
He met his wife to be Linda in Boca Raton when he was 26 years old. They
were married two years later and had their first child Trevor two years after
that. This was when Dan and Linda found a new way of life.
They found Christ. They become very involved in a small church in
Ocala, and were baptized together in Lake Weir. They turned their lives
over to God and became a new creation, just like Dan’s favorite the scripture 2
Corinthians 5:17 promises. Their daughter Kelly was born a few years later and
their family was complete. Dan and Linda just celebrated 24 years of marriage.
Shortly after joining Central in 1993, Dan accepted the opportunity to serve as
head of the Building Ministry. He has been to CIY, Believe, and numerous
ski trips with the Youth. He has also been very involved with our Youth
Praise Band. He is active in the technical side of the Worship and Arts
Ministry. He oversees the second service Usher Ministry. He and his son
Trevor have been on three mission trips serving along side other members from
Central.
Nine years ago Dan was asked to become an Elder and has since served 3 terms.
Dan writes: "Service to God and His Kingdom is of vital importance.
Not only is it important to the Kingdom, it’s important to our personal growth
and maturity as a Christian. I spent the first 33 years of my life living
it to serve my own interest. But since becoming a Christian I have tried
to make serving God a priority, not only at church, but also through every
aspect of daily living."
Name: Brian Dyals (Chairman)
Spouse: Kami
Children: Cameron, Aaron and Lauren
Favorite scripture: Romans 5:7-8
Very rarely will anyone die for a
righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for
us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Hobbies/interests: Music, fishing, golf
Profession: Manager
Brian was
born in Atlanta, GA. He moved to Ocala in 1981. His families on
both sides are Ocala natives. In 1990 at the insistence of his girlfriend
he began attending Central. They were baptized here in 1991 and married
here in 1993. Brian writes: "To me, Central has never
been about the "place" but about the "people". It has
been an honor serving the lord with so many truly wonderful people. God
has done some amazing things thru this church body over the years. I look
forward to being some part of may more to come.
Name: Bruce Hogan
Spouse: Shirley
Children: Mike, Kim, Karen
Favorite scripture: Colossians 1:15-20
Hobbies/interests: Golf, computers, yard work
Profession: Retired Printing Executive
Bruce Hogan was born in Clarksville, Tennessee on
January 11, 1940. He has lived in
Ocala for 10 years and has been a member of Central since he moved to Ocala. He
was a Deacon, Elder, Chairman of the Finance Ministry and started the Bus
Ministry at the Brownsburg Christian Church in Brownsburg, Indiana where he was
a member for 11 years. Bruce was
also a Deacon, member of the Steering Committee and Church Treasurer at The
Hoffman Estates Christian Church in Hoffman Estates, Illinois where he was a member
for 18 years. Bruce is retired
from his job as Vice President Regional Manager for Deluxe Check Printers where
he was employed for 38 years.
Bruce has been married to Shirley for 46 years. They have three grown
children Mike, Kim and Karen and 6 grandchildren. Bruce has been a Christian since he was 14 years old and his
favorite scripture is Colossians 1:15-20.
At Central he has been an Elder, member of the Finance Ministry, Home
Group Leader, Minister Search Team Leader, substitute Sunday School Teacher,
and Usher.
Name: Dan Kuhn
Spouse: Tajai
Children: Stephen, Megan, Kaitlyn
Favorite scripture:
Hobbies/interests: Growing closer to God, music, yard work
Profession: Chief of Staff, Marion County Sheriff's Office
He and Tajai are the
parents of three wonderful children: Stephen ( age 12 ), Megan ( age 10 ) and
Kaitlyn ( age 7 ).
Dan has a bachelor’s
degree from the University of Florida.
He also received his Juris Doctorate degree from the University of
Florida. He received his Law
Enforcement Certification from Santa Fe Community College and is a graduate of
the F.B.I. National Academy. Dan
is currently Chief of Staff with the Marion County Sheriff Department.
Dan and Tajai have
both been very active in their service here at Central for years. They both have served in multiple
ministries including the youth and college age groups. Dan has also previously
served as an Elder.
One of
Dan’s favorite Bible verses is Matthew 11:28,29
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”

Name: Shawn McElfresh
Spouse: Nancy
Children: Brian, Amanda, Alyssa
Favorite scripture: John 13:34
A new command I give you: Love one
another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.
Hobbies/interests: Growing closer to God, music, yard
work
Profession: Insurance Sales
Shawn is a
Florida native, born in Ft. Pierce. He graduated from the University of
Florida with his Bachelors Degree in Music Education. While
attending UF he met his wife Nancy in the Gator Band. In 1987 they moved
to Ocala and joined Central Christian Church in 1989. Shawn writes:
"There are many, many great Christian witnesses at Central. I love
the diversity of age and backgrounds of this wonderful body of believers.
I'm excited about the future and look forward to meeting as many of this
growing family as possible."

Name: Ralph Wisco
Spouse: Janet
Children: Kelly, Elizabeth and Ralph
Favorite scripture: Isaiah
41:10
So do not fear, for I
am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and
help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Hobbies/interests: Tinkering with cars, boats; wood
working; remodeling
Profession: Utilities Stores Manager, Gainesville
Regional Utilities
Ralph grew
up in Indianapolis, Indiana on a small farm. He accepted Christ and was
baptized when he was 12. Ralph went to undergraduate school at
Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology where he received a BS in Chemistry.
After serving 2 years in the U.S. Army Chemical Corp as a First Lieutenant, he
returned and attended Indiana University where he received an M.B.A. He
has worked for FMC Corp., Wheeled Coach, and Emergency One before he began
working for the City of Gainesville where he did purchasing and contracts
before assuming the position of Stores Manager for the Utility.
He has
been married to his lovely wife Janet for 38 years. They have 3 children
and 8 grandchildren. They have been in Florida since 1986 and in Ocala
since 1990. We have attended Central since 1990. Ralph has served
as a teacher, Treasurer for about 14 years and an Elder for nine years.
