A Little More

About Us

For over 60 years, God has been using the Royal Palm Baptist Association to support pastors, strengthen churches, and connect ministries.

Here's a little more of our story ...

Our History

The Royal Palm Baptist Association was formed with ten churches and three missions in 1957 with a simple goal:  To work together in southwest Florida to share the gospel and make disciples of Jesus Christ locally and globally in as many ways as we possibly can!  It is also our privilege to be in grateful cooperation with the Florida Baptist Convention and the Southern Baptist Convention. 

More details about how we do our best to serve the Lord and each other in this Great Commission call can be found throughout this website and in these documents designed to help us serve the Lord effectively, strategically, and graciously:

RP Constitution – Approved October 2016

RP ByLaws – Approved October 2020

As of 2025, of our Royal Palm family has grown to a very wide variety of over 100 churches and congregations from Pine Island, North Ft.  Myers, and Cape Coral; through Ft. Myers, FM Beach, Estero, and Bonita Springs; down to Naples, Goodland and Marco Island; over to Everglades City, Golden Gate, and Immokalee; and back up to Lehigh, Olga, and Labelle!

Dr. Mark Gonzales has been serving at our Executive Director/AMS  since 2014, after replanting and serving as the pastor of Gateway Church, Ft. Myers in 1990. (more below)

Jennifer Horton has been faithfully serving as our very gifted, gracious, and knowledgeable Administrative Assistant since 1987. (more below)

We work closely with our Royal Palm Administrative Lead Team of seasoned pastors (listed below) to consult with each other and with you, to best discern the heart of the Lord and His ways as we work together to strengthen, plant, and encourage our pastors and churches, and most of all to glorify Him in all that we do!

 

Our Team

Dr. Mark Gonzales

Associational Mission Strategist

Brother Mark has served as the Executive Director / Associational Mission Strategist for the Royal Palm Baptist Association since July 2014.

He served as a church planter and pastor for 32 years, most recently here in Southwest Florida as the founder and lead pastor of Gateway Grace Fellowship, SBC from 1990 to 2014.

In early 2014, he sensed the Lord leading him away from local church ministry to focus on regional and global mission work, as he continues to serve as a radio broadcaster, author, columnist, consultant, and speaker.

He and his wife Lindy have seven grandchildren and three married sons who, along with their wives, actively serve the Lord in various ministries.

To get a glimpse of Dr. Mark’s heart, CLICK:  Media Missions and Resources.

Jennifer Horton

Administrative Assistant

Jennifer has served as the administrative assistant to the executive director/associational mission strategist since July 1987. 

Prior to her current position, she served as Secretary to the Minister of Education and Senior Adults at McGregor Baptist Church.

Jennifer has been an active member of  NAMA (National Association of Ministry Assistants) formerly the National Association of Southern Baptist Secretaries (NASBS) since 1989.

She served as their Vice President of Membership for the 2009-2011 term, President for the 2011-2013 term and currently serves as Historian.

For more information about the National Association of Ministry Assistants, visit www.NAMA-SBC.org.

Jennifer, is a member at First Baptist Church of Pine Island. She lives in Cape Coral with her dog, Lola.

Frank Brand

Lead Team

Pastor, First Baptist Church of Estero

Les Morgan

Lead Team

Pastor, North Fort Myers First Baptist Church

Jim Olsen

Lead Team

Pastor, First Baptist Church of Pine Island

 

Bill Vecchio

Lead Team

Pastor, Fort Myers Community Church

Hal Wynn

Lead Team

Former Pastor (42 yrs.), Northside Baptist Church

Apply for Membership

We love welcoming new members into the family! If you would like to start the process of exploring membership, we would love to hear from you! Just give us a call at 239-433-2292.