John & Barleny Rogers, Senior Pastors
John and Barleny “Bary” Rogers are senior pastors at Living Word Ministries in Fort Walton Beach, and Upper Room Ministries in San Destin, Florida. They accepted Yeshua (Jesus) as their savior in 1991 and have served Him in various church positions in Nebraska, Panama, Virginia and Florida. They joined Living Word in 1997 when it was located in Northern Virginia, pastored by Walt and Sue Werner. John served as an usher and deacon. In 2000, they were ordained through Living Word Ministries. After moving to the panhandle of Florida in that same year, they later rejoined Living Word in 2001 when the ministry relocated to Fort Walton Beach. There they served as assistant pastors. In 2006, John was appointed associate pastor. In September, 2012, John and Bary were appointed senior pastors of Living Word.
John is a Bible teacher at Living Word. John, who grew up in a military family, served 21 years with the Air Force, retiring in 2004 and is currently a government civilian with the Air Force working at Hurlburt Field, FL. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the United States Air Force Academy and a Master of Art degree in business from Touro University. He is completing a Master of Divinity from Biblical Life College and Seminary.
Bary is a worshipper and leader of the dance team (“RAQHAD” – “Dance” in Hebrew). She is the lead teacher of the children’s church and the event coordinator of the church’s Feast celebrations. She is a native of the country of Panama and a citizen of the United States. She has completed undergraduate courses in interior decorating from San Jose University in Costa Rica.
John and Bary have been married for 29 years and have six children; John, Bryan, Roberto (Tito), Arlette, Eliette (Eli), and Lynette. They have lived and visited various places around the world to include England, Germany, Iran, Panama, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, Columbia and various places in the United States. They have taken numerous tours and mission trips to Israel.
Their vision and passion is to “equip the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ” (Ephesians 4:12) through Biblical teaching, worship and fellowship. They seek to teach the Biblical roots of the Christian faith, always exalting our Lord and Savior, Yeshua (Jesus). They strive to bring forth authentic praise and worship in both song and dance. Their goal is to develop a community of faith bonded by their love of God, each other and led by the Holy Spirit.
Sue Werner, Pastor Emeritus
Sue was ordained through the Assemblies of God after completing ministerial studies from Berean University. She holds an undergraduate degree in Nursing from City University of New York, and prior to entering the ministry, she was Director of several Intensive Coronary Care and Surgical Care Units. Sue holds a Master of Theological Studies and Master of Divinity and is completing a Doctorate of Theology degree and a Doctorate of Ministry degree. She completed a ministerial summer program at Yale University in Hartford, CT and studied at Hebrew University, Jerusalem. She was recently awarded a honorary Doctoral degree from the International Seminary for outstanding achievement in ministry. A knowledgeable and experienced teacher, she taught Scripture on a daily radio program for a year and a half and a weekly television program for 10 years in the Washington D.C. area.
Sue, together with her late husband Pastor Walt Werner, were the founders of Living Word Ministries and served as senior pastors for over 20 years.