Our Roser Staff & Leadership

Dirk Rodgers, Senior Pastor

Serving on Staff since 2020

What do you enjoy most about serving here at Roser?

What’s not to love? The people, the location, and the mission are all amazing. Here “Loving Christ, Sharing His Grace and Serving All” is more than a phrase. Our Roser family owns this as their focus and calling, majoring in main things, refusing to be divided by the smaller things.

Briefly describe the journey that brought you to Roser.

I first felt called to ministry as a teenager in Western Pennsylvania. After High School graduation, I pursued several degrees in Biblical Studies, Theology and Ministry, eventually earning a Ph.D. in Historical Theology and Church History from Drew University, Madison, NJ, in 1991. While teaching various courses in theology and religion, I started to learn computer programming to help pay the bills. When the teaching jobs slowed down, Information Technology became a career. While working as an IT Director for a health care company in Massachusetts, our Senior Pastor at Bethany Church, Greenland, NH, invited me to change direction and come on board as an associate pastor, where I was ordained in 2008. I served at Bethany until 2020 when I received a random email about a church in Anna Maria, FL that was looking for a Senior Pastor. I clicked the link, and the process took off from there. In November, 2020, I made the move to serve at Roser, and my wife, Liz, joined me a couple months later. I truly am living the dream. For me, this is not a job, but a joy and privilege!

Edita Urbon, Director of Music Ministry

Serving on Staff since 2025

My name is Edita Urbon, and I am honored to join Roser Church as your new Director of Music Ministry. I grew up in Soviet-occupied Lithuania, a time and place where religion was forbidden, churches were monitored, and people who sought God were often punished or silenced. Because of this, faith was something we carried quietly, secretly, and very deeply in our hearts. The very fact that I can now serve openly in a church is something I never take for granted—it feels like a gift, a freedom, and a calling.
I am a pianist, organist, and music teacher, with many years of experience performing, accompanying choirs, and guiding students. I have always believed that sacred music has the power to heal, unite, and lift the human spirit, perhaps because I know what it feels like to long for it in a place where it could not be expressed.

Along with my musical background, I also hold a degree in mechanical engineering, a very different path that taught me discipline, precision, and creativity—all qualities that support my work today in music ministry. Over the years, my life has taken me through many countries, concerts, and meaningful encounters with musicians and communities. Each experience has strengthened my love for people, for beauty, and for the spiritual language of music.

As I begin my work at Roser, I look forward to: Enriching our worship with joyful and prayerful music; Supporting and growing the choir; Welcoming new voices and new ideas; and Serving this community with gratitude, dedication, and love. I am truly excited to be here and to meet each of you. Thank you for welcoming me into the Roser Church family.

Liz Rodgers, Children, Youth & Family Leader

Serving on Staff since 2026

I’ve been involved in youth and family ministry for over 15 years, and I truly love walking alongside students and families as they grow in faith, community, and their relationship with Christ. My heart is for creating safe, welcoming, Christ-centered spaces where middle and high school students feel known, supported, and encouraged to ask real questions about life and faith. I believe faith grows best through relationships, honest conversation, and showing up consistently for one another—and yes, good snacks don’t hurt either.

Over the years, I’ve led youth programs, taught Scripture, mentored teens, and partnered closely with parents because I believe students thrive when the church and families work together. I’ve also led women’s ministries and started a faith-based moms group, which has deepened my passion for supporting families in every season of life. I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a minor in Biblical Studies, and I bring strong leadership, organization, and event-planning skills from my background in retail leadership and small business ownership. Whether it’s Sunday mornings, youth nights, or special events, my goal is always the same: to help students experience God’s love in real, lasting ways and know they don’t have to have it all figured out.

I’m so grateful to be part of the Roser Church family and would love to connect with you.
You can reach me at liz@roserchurch.com.

Fun Facts About Liz

• I go by Liz—if you call me Elizabeth, I’ll assume I’m in trouble.
• I believe snacks are a spiritual gift, especially in youth ministry.
• I love real conversations more than awkward icebreakers.
• Coffee helps, but connection is my real fuel ☕
• I’ll always choose relationships over perfection.

Nikkiah Jaworski, Office Administrator

Serving on Staff since 2021

What do you enjoy most about serving here at Roser?

I love catching up with old friends and meeting new ones, too. The stories that have brought people closer to God fill me with joy and inspiration. I enjoy being helpful and look forward to expanding my contributions to Roser Church in the upcoming year.

Briefly describe the journey that brought you to Roser.

After Graduating from the University of Miami with degrees in Biology and Anthropology, I pursued a research career with the Physiology and Biophysics Department at the University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine. While I enjoyed research, I quickly realized social interactions were limited and I was lacking fulfillment with my career. I found a knack in business management before moving to Anna Maria with my daughter in 2013. Roser Church was the very first place I came and joined as a member shortly thereafter. After working as an Owner Relations Manager for vacation rentals on the island and a Director of First Impressions at the Community Center, I knew caring for people and exceeding their expectations for good service was my calling. I am blessed to be a part of Roser as a member of both the congregation and the staff.

Charles Wade, Facilities Administrator

Serving on Staff since 2008

What do you enjoy most about serving here at Roser?

Everything that Christ allows me to do to help people in need.

Briefly describe the journey that brought you to Roser.

Worked at an elementary school as a head custodial. Then I left there and then started looking for work and found Roser Church. It’s been a blessing at Roser.

Marcelo Guzman, Assistant Facilities Administrator

Serving on Staff since 2026

What do you enjoy most about serving here at Roser?

What I enjoy most is being able to serve the Lord while helping care for the church and the people who call Roser Church home. I especially love the multigenerational community at Roser Church—the wonderful mix of older generations, younger generations, and families all worshiping and serving together. Everyone has been so welcoming to our family, and I’m truly thankful for the opportunity to be on staff, build meaningful relationships, and serve the Lord alongside such a wonderful church family.

Briefly describe the journey that brought you to Roser.

My journey in ministry really began in my early twenties when I gave my life to the Lord while living in Hawaii. I became involved with a surfing ministry there, and later moved to Northern California with some friends, where we started a small surf ministry reaching young people in the community. It was during that season that I met my wife. We quickly discovered that we shared a heart for ministry and a desire to see God move in people’s lives through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Years later, after building our life together and raising our three daughters, now ages 10, 13, and 15, God opened a new door for our family. In 2023, we moved from Northern California to Florida so I could attend ministry school in Tampa, where I was blessed to earn my Bachelor of Arts in Ministry. During our time in Tampa, Anna Maria Island became a special place for our family. We would come here to enjoy the beaches, visit the local shops, and spend time together. During my second summer in Florida, I also had the opportunity to work as a lifeguard on the island, which gave us an even greater connection to the community. On our visits, we often noticed the beautiful historic building of Roser Church and were always drawn to it.

In March of 2026, when the opportunity eventually came for our family to move to Anna Maria Island, we decided to visit Roser. We quickly fell in love with the people and the welcoming community. Looking back, it’s special to see how God connected so many different seasons of our lives and ultimately brought our family here. We’re grateful to call Anna Maria Island home and to now worship and serve as part of the Roser family.

Emily Glasscock, Video Specialist

Serving on Staff since 2021

What do you enjoy most about serving here at Roser?

I love how I’m able to capture special moments or events at Roser. As a videographer, I’m not only able to hear wonderful stories, or see how God is moving in someone’s life, but I can capture it, and show it to others. People say a picture is worth a thousand words… Imagine the worth and value a video could be.

Briefly describe the journey that brought you to Roser.

Ever since I was old enough to hold a video camera (5), I have loved it. I studied and worked with still and video photography throughout school, and graduated with a journalism degree. I worked with video any chance I got, including some freelance work. I started specifically with church video work at 16 years old, volunteering at a local church in Kansas City, Missouri. Being on the volunteer video team at that church for 13 years developed into a staff position, where I continued to discover my passion for church work. I knew I didn’t want to stay in Kansas City my whole life. As much as I did love living there (and will always consider it my home…go Chiefs!), I knew I could take the gifts and passions Christ gave me, and use it elsewhere. With 2020 hitting, and shaking the world a bit, it opened my eyes to the opportunities to move. My husband, Robert, was very happy with his employment, and through the Covid lockdown, we realized he could continue his work from home or out of state. Our child, Jackson, was also young enough that moving out of state wouldn’t disrupt his life as much as it might have if he were older and established where he was. So the time just felt right. We were looking at Florida because I knew my parents were eventually going to move there as well, and I wanted to stay close to them as their relationship with my son is something I didn’t want to lose. Plus… the ocean is right there! Because Covid had impacted so many churches in different ways, it led to the Video Production Specialist position here at Roser being created, as the need for online streaming and quality production became vital. The position is everything I was doing at my previous church, plus in Florida, on an island… What more could I ask for?

Bev Hunsberger, Communications Specialist

Serving on Staff since 2013

What do you enjoy most about serving here at Roser? 

My greatest joy is serving the Lord alongside the most brilliant, humble, dedicated, kind, loving, hardworking, amazing, generous, forgiving, diverse group of people from all across America and beyond that worship together in this beautiful church!

Briefly describe the journey that brought you here to Roser.

I was born in South Africa. My missionary parents lived what they believed and gave up everything to serve the Lord. My desire was to follow in their footsteps. I took commercial art and advertising classes at Lansing Community College and Bible classes at Cornerstone University in Grand Rapids back before there were computers! I served in Lansing, Michigan at South Church as Advertising/Publications Secretary for 20 years until the church moved to the suburbs, and then at Pennway Church of God as the Communications/Office Administrator for 10 years. I used my vacations to escape the ice and snow and bask in the Florida sun. I camped all around the coast of Florida until I came to “Paradise” and dreamed of working on such a beautiful island. When my kids left home I packed up and moved to Bradenton. I worked at Beall’s while waiting on the Lord to direct my paths. He not only answered my prayers, He made my dream a reality. God is so Good!

Sharon Wisniewski, Chair of the Congregation

I have been attending Roser off and on since 1987. When I retired in 2014 I came more regularly. When we moved to the Island in 2015 we started attending regularly.

What do you enjoy most about serving here at Roser?

I love the mission and the people. I feel privileged to be in a position that will help to build the body of Christ.

Briefly describe the journey that brought you to Roser.

I began coming to the Island in 1986. My husband was raised here. I loved the quaint atmosphere of Roser. Then my husband started working at the thrift store and we got to know the people and that was it. When we retired and moved to the island in 2015 I started to attend regularly. As I got more engaged and then joined the Women at 2:00pm Bible Study, I really enjoyed meeting the Roser members and wanted to find more ways to serve. It’s a joy to serve.

Gail Swain, Vice Chair of the Congregation

Our family joined Roser Church soon after we moved to Bradenton full time in 2014. We knew as soon as we visited this beautiful church that it was where our family belonged.

What do you enjoy most about serving here at Roser?

There is so much to enjoy about serving at Roser. Whenever I step into the sanctuary or chapel, I can just feel the spirit of God. I love that we have such a diverse Roser family from many different backgrounds who love the Lord and want to share His grace with others. I enjoy participating in a variety of worship services and programs offered through Roser, and especially have enjoyed watching our Children and Youth programs grow as more families have begun to attend Roser.

Briefly describe the journey that brought you to Roser.

Our family was always part of the United Methodist Church in Reynolds, Georgia. My husband, Randy, and our children, Kristin and Brian, remained as part of that church until we retired and moved to Bradenton full time.

Even when visiting Anna Maria Island on vacations, our family attended the Easter Sunrise Service at the beach and enjoyed seeing so many people worshipping together. Once we moved to Bradenton full time, we all began to search for a new church home. Our daughter introduced us to Roser when she encouraged us to attend a Christmas Cantata there. We immediately fell in love with the church and the congregation and knew we had found our new church home.  

Deborah Marini, Clerk of Council

I joined Roser in 2025.

What do you enjoy most about serving here at Roser?

Roser is an island non-denominational church that allows members to grow in Christian faith, regardless of religious background.    

I love that Roser has a growing strong faith based children’s program, many adult programs, and numerous opportunities to serve. The pastor and leadership team is always available, supportive and appreciative.  

Briefly describe the journey that brought you to Roser.

Our family is from South of Boston. Since I was a little girl, I always loved Church and belonged to a Congregational Church. Our family has owned a home on Anna Maria Island since 1987. We always worshiped at Roser whenever we vacationed at our island home. When we retired, it was natural to become members of Roser and serve. Even though we moved off island shortly after the hurricanes of 2024, we will continue to attend church services at Roser and serve.