Meet our Pastors
Bill and Vonnie Keith,
Sr. Pastor
Thank you for taking the time to drop by our website. We would love for you to visit us at Countryside Baptist Church! We are a church where everybody is somebody and Jesus Christ is Lord! If you are searching for a church where the Word of God is honored, taught, and believed, look no further! We believe in the BIBLE— THE INERRANT, INFALLIBLE, UNCHANGING WORD OF GOD. Our authority comes solely from the pages of Holy Scripture (Sola Scriptura) and the commands of Jesus Christ.
We love and accept people from all races, religions, and nationalities. Come visit with us anytime!
Zachary and Phoebe Rinehart,
Associate/Youth Pastor
My wife Phoebe and I moved to Florida at the end of 2021 to serve as the Youth Pastor at Countryside Baptist Church. From my observation, our secular and even church cultures have set a low bar for our young people. We believe that the youth desire to be challenged and can achieve great things. For example, we challenge them and watch them succeed in areas of sports, arts, and school. Let’s challenge them to achieve great things spiritually! Paul challenged younger Timothy to live a life that models, even to older people, what a Jesus follower looks like. This is the same challenge we desire to present to our youth. Scripture is full of references to parents raising and training their children in the ways of our Lord. As a youth ministry we want to come along side parents in our church and help equip them in any way we can for this God-given responsibility of raising Jesus followers. With God’s help we will see our youth “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (I Peter 3:18) to the glory and praise of God.
Steve and Maxine Carlson,
Associate Pastor
Maxine and I have attended Countryside for more than 34 years. Countryside is a welcoming church. Its congregation has a tremendous heart for Jesus and a strong desire to serve Him in the neighborhood and around the world as God opens the doors. It is a pleasure to be a part of the ministry team. Come join us to learn how to enhance your faith, family, and future.
Mark and Martha Shaw,
Minister of Music
We are so glad you have come by to see what we are about. Martha and I have been here in service with our Lord for over 21 years. This is abnormal for most ministers of music, but we believe it’s because of Gods hand on our church. The fact is we have loved being here and find our work very fulfilling. Maybe you should come by and see if it affects you that way. I promise you won’t regret it.
Gene and Tuelah Keith,
Pastor Emeritus
Gene is part of a ten-generation legacy of pioneer Christian leaders from Kentucky, Texas, and Florida.
Gene was born in Tarpon Springs, Florida on Christmas Day, 1932. He attended School in Tarpon Springs, played football for the Spongers, first trumpet in the band, and graduated in 1950. He attended Stetson University, the University of Florida, and received his BA from Luther Rice. Gene Married his childhood sweetheart, Tuelah Riviere, in 1952.
Gene Keith is presently Pastor Emeritus of the Countryside Baptist Church of Gainesville, having served there since 1959, with the exception of two years, during which he served as pastor of First Baptist Church of Cape Canaveral when America sent the first men to the moon. He retired in 2010 and his son, Bill is now the pastor of Countryside.
Gene turned 89 on Christmas day 2021 and has written 32 Christian books on popular topics and are presently available at Amazon.com.
