Meet Our Team
Juventino “Tino” Espinoza, Pastor
The Rev. Dr. Juventino (Tino) Espinoza is a native of Mexico. After planting three churches in Texas and Oklahoma and revitalizing two ministries, and having pastored churches in Oklahoma for 25 years, he is now the Senior Pastor of First United Methodist Church of Lake Wales, FL.
Pastor Espinoza’s faith is strengthened by a personal relationship with Jesus, and it is nurtured by the practice of Spiritual Disciplines such as devotionals/Bible reading, prayer and a weekly fast.
He believes the Local Church is the body of Christ and the only institution able to spread holiness and transform our communities with the Good News of the Gospel.
Pastor Espinoza was Ordained an Elder in the Oklahoma Annual Conference. His academic background includes a BA from Oklahoma City University in Oklahoma City, OK, a Master of Divinity from Perkins School of Theology, SMU, in Dallas, TX, and a Doctor of Ministry from St. Paul School of Theology in Kansas City, KS, plus, a certificate in coach for Church Planters from United Theological Seminary, in Dayton OH.
Pastor Espinoza is an Old Testament professor at United Theological Seminary’s Certificate in Theology and Ministry and the Master of Divinity online program in Spanish.
Pastor Espinoza and his wife Mode have two sons, Raul and wife Kym, and Brian and a granddaughter, Finley Sky. All of them residing in Iowa.
Email address: pastor@fumclw.org
Janice Troutman, Financial Secretary
I was born in the house my father, a carpenter, built in Frostproof, Florida. I grew up in a very loving family with my parents, two brothers and two sisters and maternal grandmother. We were members of the Frostproof Church of God.
I attended Frostproof Elementary and graduated from Frostproof High School. My first job after graduation from high school was at Ben Hill Griffin, Inc. in Frostproof. I worked in the Fruit Accounting department and eventually became its’ supervisor. At night I attended accounting classes at South Florida Junior College in Avon Park.
My husband and I are very proud of our three adult children and our six grandchildren. After Preston and I were married we visited the First United Methodist Church in Lake Wales and were made to feel welcome by the couple sitting on the same pew. We joined the First United Methodist Church in 1992 and both became active in many areas of the church. I began volunteering in the office and was hired as Financial Secretary in 1993.
Today I am responsible for areas that I learned from my Father who served as “Clerk of the Church” for 44 years at the Church of God in Frostproof.
I am thankful to my church for allowing me to use my skills as my ministry at First United Methodist Church of Lake Wales.
Email address: janice@fumclw.org
Administrative Assistant
Email address: office@fumclw.org
Catherine Templeton, Music Director
I am originally from Seattle, Washington. My family moved to Florida in 1974, and I've been here ever since.
I am a life-long Methodist. My husband Brett and I were married in 1986, at 1st UMC of Spring Hill. We met at Stetson University - both of us in the School of Music (at that time considered the Julliard of the South - he as Concert Pianist, and me as Church Music major.) I began directing church choirs while still in school; my first choir was Tomoka UMC in Ormond Beach. After graduation in 1988, we both went to work for Disney until a near fatal car crash helped me decide to move back home to Spring Hill. There I taught Chorus at Spingstead High School and was Music Director at Holy Cross Lutheran Church. Several years later we moved to Kentucky for Brett to attend Asbury Theological Seminary. While there, I taught K-12 music at Trinity Christian Academy, and was Music Director at 1st UMC of Nicholasville, KY. Once back in Florida, we served churches in the Ocala Forest, Yulee, and Sopchoppy. Now we have "retired" - and moved to Lake Wales - where I am happily directing a church choir again.
Besides directing choirs, I love all aspects of the theatre and performing on the Steel Drums with my husband. (You can find us on-line, and on Etsy as Steel Baroque.) I am also a jewelry designer - to see my work, go to CatherinesJewelry.com.
We are blessed with our beautiful daughter Hattie, born in 2004. And have always had a houseful of fur-children - currently five felines.
Email address: CatherineTCJD@Gmail.com
Brett Templeton, Organist
Bio coming soon!