Bruce Steffens is a retired engineering leader, aviation officer, and longtime youth ministry leader with more than four decades of experience developing people, leading complex technical organizations, and advancing faith-based youth programs. His career combines large-scale engineering leadership in the aerospace and defense industry with extensive volunteer leadership in Royal Rangers and church ministry, bringing a disciplined approach to organizational leadership, mentoring, and mission-focused program development.

Steffens spent over 30 years with Lockheed Martin Corporation, where he served as a Mechanical Engineering Functional Manager and senior structural engineer supporting advanced fire control and missile systems. In this role, he led a team of more than 330 engineers and analysts and oversaw professional development, training programs, and technical excellence across the organization. Earlier in his career he worked as a mechanical engineer at McDonnell Douglas Aircraft Company following completion of his Masters Degree in aeronautical engineering.

Prior to entering the aerospace industry, Steffens served more than a decade in the United States Coast Guard as a rescue helicopter and heavy fixed-wing pilot. During his service he also held the role of Aircraft Maintenance Officer, leading teams of more than 60 personnel responsible for aircraft readiness and operational safety.

Steffens has devoted significant time to youth mentorship and ministry leadership. He served as a Royal Rangers leader from 1985 through 2017 and held several district leadership roles in the Peninsular Florida District, including Eastern Division Commander and Section 6 Commander. At the local church level he served as Senior Commander at Faith Assembly in Orlando. He is certified through numerous Royal Rangers training programs including National Training Camp, Advanced National Training Camp, and World Class Outpost leadership development.

In addition to his leadership roles, Steffens has contributed to the development of ministry programs and strategy through authored works and proposals. He wrote the Johnnie Barnes Excellence Initiative District Report (2011) and developed a national proposal in 2012 to expand Royal Rangers GMA possibilities into additional tracks beyond the camping focus. In 2018 he authored The Obvious Secret – A Discipleship Journey to Christian Maturity, a work focused on spiritual growth and discipleship.

Steffens is an ordained lay minister and has participated in eight short-term international missions trips including a 2019 Frontier Christian Fellowship mission trip to Guatemala. His lifelong commitment to youth leadership began early, earning the Eagle Scout Award in 1965 and later serving as a Boy Scout leader.

He holds a Master of Science in Aeronautical Engineering from Purdue University, a Bachelor of Technology from the University of Dayton, and completed U.S. Navy Flight School in Pensacola, Florida. Steffens has been married to his wife since 1971; they have two sons and five granddaughters.

Steffens continues to serve the church and ministry community through leadership, mentorship, and teaching.

Reverend John Chesser is an ordained minister with the Peninsula Florida District Council of the Assemblies of God who has served in pastoral and ministry leadership for more than forty years. His career reflects a deep commitment to spiritual leadership, organizational development, youth discipleship, and community engagement. Throughout decades of ministry, Rev. Chesser has provided pastoral leadership, mentored emerging leaders, overseen large organizational operations, and served extensively in district and community leadership roles.

Rev. Chesser earned a Master of Theology degree from Life Christian University in Tampa, Florida, a Bachelor of Arts in Ministerial Studies from Southeastern College in Lakeland, Florida, and an Associate of Arts degree from St. Johns River Junior College in Palatka, Florida. He received his Ministerial License in 1978 and was ordained in 1981 with the Peninsula Florida District Council of the Assemblies of God.

Over the course of his pastoral ministry, Rev. Chesser served as Lead Pastor of Calvary Assembly of God in Dade City, Florida (2002–2013), Senior Pastor of First Assembly of God in Macclenny, Florida (1982–2002), Assistant Home Missions Pastor at Maranatha Assembly of God in Green Cove Springs, Florida, and Associate Pastor at First Assembly of God in Plant City, Florida. During this time he preached thousands of sermons, conducted numerous weddings and funerals, and chaired hundreds of church board meetings while providing pastoral care and counseling to individuals and families. In addition to his pastoral work, he served as a professor at Life Christian University, helping to train and mentor the next generation of ministry leaders. He retired from full time pastoral ministry in 2020.

Rev. Chesser has demonstrated significant experience in organizational management and development. Under his leadership, churches undertook major facility improvements and stewardship initiatives, including large-scale building renovations, technology upgrades, and ministry expansions. He successfully led multi-year stewardship campaigns raising hundreds of thousands of dollars for ministry and facility improvements while maintaining strong financial stewardship. His leadership also included establishing and overseeing a Christian academy and daycare program employing multiple staff members and serving more than one hundred children.

A strong advocate for youth discipleship, Rev. Chesser has been deeply involved in the Royal Rangers ministry for many years. He has served in leadership roles including Sectional Royal Rangers Representative and Divisional Ranger Commander, organizing commander meetings, training events, and campouts while helping develop young men through mentoring and outdoor leadership experiences. He has participated in numerous Royal Rangers activities including sectional campouts, Florida District Pow-Wows, and national Camp-o-ramas. Rev. Chesser also completed the Royal Rangers Leadership Training Course (LTC), later serving as a certified instructor and instructor trainer.

In addition to church and youth ministry leadership, Rev. Chesser has been actively involved in community service. His service has included eight years on the board of the Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce, participation in the Kiwanis Club, involvement with Habitat for Humanity projects, service on a high school advisory board, leadership in the local Ministerial Alliance, and organizing community outreach events such as Easter sunrise services, living nativity presentations, and law enforcement appreciation programs.

Rev. Chesser has also participated in international missions and ministry projects across multiple countries, including teaching and pastoral training in Vietnam, ministry outreach in Poland and Belgium, crusade services in Jamaica, and construction projects supporting churches and ministry facilities throughout Latin America and the Caribbean.

Rev. Chesser and his wife have been married for 49 years and have two sons, both married, including one who serves as an ordained minister. Together they have devoted their lives to ministry, leadership development, and serving both the church and the broader community.

Member of Genesis Church in Highland City. Assisting with my wife Pastor Wendy Hargrove for the past seven years. Spear headed getting the Royal Ranger program started at Genesis with Senior Commander Brent Fry. Member of the Seminole Chapter FCF since 2013. FCF Name "Piper"
Work Experience:
       -Retired Captain Firefighter for the City of Plant City (25 years).
       -Construction/remodeling background.
       -Expertise in woodworking.
       -Honor Guard Member for Polk County Sheriff's' Office, Plant City Fire Rescue, Lakeland Fire Dept, and Polk County Fire Rescue as their Bagpiper

I have been involved in Royal Rangers since 1990, attending my first Pow Wow that year as a Pioneer at Camp Wilderness. In 36 years I have missed only three Pow Wows, and Camp Wilderness holds a special place in my heart—I want to see it preserved for generations to come. As the owner of a construction company, I will contribute my skills to update the property’s structures, offer financial guidance, and solicit donations from fellow business owners. I have been married for 20 years and we have four children; Royal Rangers is more than an activity for our family—it is a shared passion, the ministry God has given us, and the legacy we hope to pass on to our children.