Venice Bible Church Staff

Dr. Philip P. Schmunk, Senior Pastor

Pastor Phil joined the VBC staff as Senior Pastor on August 7, 2006. He has his education from Taylor University in Upland, Indiana (B.A. Bible Literature, 1976), Denver Seminary in Denver, Colorado (M.A. Systematic Theology, 1979) and Western Conservative Baptist Theological Seminary in Portland, Oregon (D. Min. Church Leadership, 1995). He was ordained in 1980 and has served churches in Denver, Colorado; Minneapolis, Minnesota; Longview, Washington; and most recently at Browncroft Community Church in Rochester, New York.

His wife, Donna, is a third grade teacher in the Sarasota County Public School system. They have 3 children: Philip is married to Larissa and their son, Erro, was born in 2008. Philip is an architect and they live in Shanghai, China. Pastor Phil and Donna’s middle son, Daniel, went home to be with Christ at the age of 21 on June 20, 2000. Their daughter, Jennie, is married to Jesse, and they have a daughter, Isabelle, who was born in 2008. Jennie and Jesse live in Olympia, Washington.

Pastor Phil’s life verse is Jeremiah 20:9. He looks forward to meeting you and getting to know you both as a friend and brother or sister in Christ.

Brett Brooks, Associate Pastor

After serving as Interim Associated Pastor since April 2010, Brett became VBC’s full-time Associate Pastor in August of the same year, overseeing the Worship Ministry, Adult Education and serving in the role of Administrative Pastor. He graduated from Venice High School in 1976 and in 1985, from Word of Life Bible Institute. Brett has served in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and Huntington, West Virginia, in many areas of ministry including worship, youth, administrative and discipleship.

Brett has been married to Dona since 1976 and they have three children: Josh, who is married to Lauren (two sons, Max and Jackson), Drew, and Amie.

Brett and Dona first attended VBC in 1981 and after 18 years, they have returned to Venice Bible Church. They look forward to what God has in store for them as they serve Him here.

Michael Gibson, Youth Minister

Originally from Michigan, God brought Michael to Florida in 2003, where he was promptly led to Venice Bible Church. Since 2004, he has served in the Youth Ministry, leading small groups of high school guys, and has also helped lead mission teams to Juarez, Mexico, alongside of Hearts Without Borders, one of VBC’s supported missions.

Michael met his wife, Casey, through working with the Youth and Missions Ministries, and they have been married since April of 2009. In August of 2010, Michael joined the VBC staff as Youth Minister. He praises God for the blessings that have overflowed in his life from being part of Venice Bible Church and is excited to see what the future holds for this Body of believers.

Sheila Papini, Office Manager & Executive Administrative Assistant to Pastors Phil and Brett

Sheila joined the VBC staff in June 2003. She began as a part-time assistant to the Youth Pastor, and then became full-time as a Ministry Assistant in 2004. In 2005, she became Office Manager and Executive Pastoral Assistant. Sheila earned a B.A. in liberal arts from Hunter College in New York City . She has 17 years experience in medical office management and also 5 years as a previous Church Administrative Secretary.
Sheila has been married to Mike since 1985. They met in Pine Bush, New York in the Catskill Mountains where Mike was born and raised and where they lived for 6 years. Later they relocated to Indiana for 11 years and have resided in Florida since 2002. They have two adult sons, Angelo and Joe, and a daughter, Michelle, who is in college.
Sheila is grateful for God’s grace and mercy and has a heart to serve Christ by serving others. Her life verse that she clings to is Proverbs 3:5-6: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight.”

Sheila has been married to Mike for 24 years. They met in Pine Bush, New York in the Catskill Mountains where Mike was born and raised and where they lived for 6 years. Later they relocated to Indiana for 11 years and have resided in Florida since 2002. They have two adult sons, Angelo and Joe, and a daughter, Michelle, who is in college.

Sheila is grateful for God’s grace and mercy and has a heart to serve Christ by serving others. Her life verse that she clings to is Proverbs 3:5-6: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight.”

Kate Burda, Ministry Assistant and Publications

Kate has attended VBC since 2002, shortly after moving to Venice, and has been on staff since August, 2011. She grew up in the Philadelphia area. Kate’s background, education and training is in the graphic arts industry, where she worked in sales in the commercial printing industry, and later worked in D.C. for the federal government. She has owned a small photography & design business for the last 5 years.

Kate has been married to Al for 19 years; they lived in Annapolis, Maryland before moving to Venice. She has 3 adult children: Suzanne in Idaho, married to Jeff, with 2 children, Huck and Jane; Josh in Philadelphia, married to Denyse, with a son Logan, and daughter Jeanette in Texas. Since 1987 she’s been involved in church ministry, including ministry to singles, women, pre-marrieds, young marrieds, and new members.

Kate is excited to be on board at VBC, both as a staff member and a church member. Her life verse is 1st Thessalonians 5: 16-18: “Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus”.

Debbi Whiteley, Pastoral Assistant & Receptionist

Debbi has attended VBC since 1993 and joined the staff part-time in June 2004 working with the Children’s Ministry. Later that year, she became full-time also working in the church office as receptionist. She currently serves as a ministry assistant to the Interim Children’s Minister and the Worship Minister, as well as receptionist. Debbi graduated from Maranatha Baptist Bible College in 1983 with degrees in Elementary Education and Bible, along with a minor in music. She taught in three Christian elementary schools over 21 years before joining the staff at VBC.

In 1990, Debbi moved to North Port from Detroit, Michigan, to be near her family. She married Jon in 1997 and God blessed them with their son, Josiah, in 2004.

Debbi feels blessed to be a part of the VBC staff, as she is challenged in her own spiritual growth and has gained valuable insight and experience from being part of the church Body as we grow and move closer to Christ.

Herman “Butch” Boyer, Grounds & Maintenance

Butch has been on staff since July of 2009. He is originally from Allentown, Pennsylvania, where he graduated from high school with a vo-tech focus. He went to work for Drug Plastics & Glass Co. the same year as a processing and maintenance mechanic in Boyertown, Pennsylvania. In February of 2009 Butch retired and relocated to Florida.

Butch has been married to Vici since 1982 and they have 3 adult sons, Eric, Corey, and Allen.

Donna Laughlin, Custodian

Donna has attended VBC since 2000 and joined the staff as Custodian in August of 2004. She earned a degree in Health Management and became a Registered Nurse in 1968. In 1969, she moved to Florida from Illinois.

Donna has 3 adult children, Joni, Jeff, and Tracy, 2 grandchildren, Kyle and Elizabeth, and a great-granddaughter, Sarah.

Donna has led a weekly small group since 2002 that ministers to mature women. They enjoy a growing friendship with Christ and each other. Donna’s life verse is Proverbs 3:5-6: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight.”

Lisa Cadle, Custodian

Lisa works side by side with Donna Laughlin part time as a custodian. She has attended VBC since 2008 and joined the staff in 2009.

Lisa worked at CVS as a cashier and at the Salvation Army in the after school program for many years prior to coming to VBC. She moved from Clearwater and has lived in the Venice area since 2000. Lisa has 3 adult children who all live in Florida, and a son, Luke, who is in high school. Her favorite hymn is “Amazing Grace”.