STAFF
BJ MILGATE
Senior Pastor
Pastor BJ Milgate became the Senior Pastor of BCRC in May of 2024. Before that time, he served as the Senior Pastor of Lake Nona Presbyterian Church in Orlando, Florida for nearly ten years. Pastor BJ is married to Andrea, (who is a graduate of Bradenton Christian School) and they have two long prayed for children, Stasia and Declan. BJ graduated from the State College of Florida with his Associates Degree, he holds a Bachelors of Arts in Biblical Studies from Gordon College, and a Master of Divinity Degree from Covenant Theological Seminary. BJ has a passion to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ, to shepherd and disciple his people, and to see them grow in their knowledge of Christ through the Scriptures. In his free time, BJ loves to woodwork. BJ is at the office Monday-Thursday from 9:00-5:00 and he’d love to set up a time to get to know you.
Email: bj@bradentoncrc.org
DYLAN KERN
Associate Pastor
Dylan Kern grew up in Grand Haven, Michigan, a small town on the shores of Lake Michigan.
He met his wife, Bethany, when they were in school together at Kuyper College, and recently
they welcomed their first daughter, Magnolia Catherine, into their family. Dylan accepted a call
here as the Associate Pastor at BCRC in September 2020, and he has loved this church ever
since. In his spare time, he enjoys reading, hiking, and camping.
Email: dylan@bradentoncrc.org
STEVE STRITE
Worship Director
Steve Strite has been involved in church music since the age of 14. He received a Bachelor of Music degree from Oakland University and a Master of Music degree from University of Michigan. Steve’s ministry at BCRC began in 2004. In 2018, he took a call to First Presbyterian Church of Orlando. He served there for two years until the Lord called him back to BCRC in 2020. In recent years, Steve has been arranging/composing for several sacred publishers: Beckenhorst Press, Lorenz, and Hope Publishing. Steve is married to Rebekah (a teacher at Bradenton Christian School) and they have two daughters, Allison and Julianne.
Email: steve@bradentoncrc.org
JAMES KOSTELYK
Youth Director
James grew up as a pastor's kid, always understanding that push to ministry. After roofing for ten years and getting his Bachelor in Addictions Counseling from Indiana Wesleyan, James felt a clear calling to pursue ministry. He is currently pursuing his Masters of Divinity at Calvin Seminary. Living in the Chicagoland area most of his life, he decided to take an adventure to Bradenton, FL serving here at this church. When he isn't preparing his sermon or working with the youth at the church, James enjoys unicycling, building LEGOs, and assembling IKEA furniture.
Email: james@bradentoncrc.org
OFFICE STAFF
Patricia Keller, Secretary
office@bradentoncrc.org
Paige Kostelyk, Secretary
office@bradentoncrc.org
Kelly Swaagman, Financial Secretary
operations@bradentoncrc.org
TECHNICAL DIRECTOR
Andrew Stafford
andrew@bradentoncrc.org
CUSTODIAN
Ken VanderBent
ken@bradentoncrc.org