Meet some of the folks who work hard to bring you The Trumpeter

For years Publisher and Founder Marty Swanko felt that South Florida needed a Christian magazine. Being a prominent business woman, Marty always saw the need for one and would complain to God that someone ought to publish a first-class magazine that would show people how real He was and how much He loved them. She never dreamed God would call her-but He did. She obeyed His prompting, and after five years of diehard faith-testing, God has allowed Marty to reap the harvest. "I thank God for the five years He's given to TTM. It's been exciting to learn first hand how God maintains His promises when in the natural it seems impossible. He truly is faithful; and faithful to perform His Word. I look forward to TTM's teenage years and the many lives we will be able to touch." Marty enjoys golfing, tennis, diving, rollerblading, fishing, studying God's Word and visiting/praying the sick.

Marc Stockwell, Advertising Director for local and national accounts, has graced The Trumpeter with his God-given skills for four months. Having worked at Charisma and Ministries Today magazines as Account Excecutive, Marc felt led to join The Trumpeter crew. "I worked with these national publications for over seven years until recently when the Lord placed upon my heart the need to help take The Trumpeter national." An active sportsman, Marc enjoys teaching and playing golf, exercising, working with children and other outdoor activities.

Midy Aponte has been with The Trumpeter for one and a half years and she has done everything from writing to filing to typing to organizing to... Having begun as a freelance writer, Midy's administrative skills earned her the position of Excecutive Secretary to the Publisher. She attends Resurrection Baptist Church where she is the youth counselor. She is presently studying Public Relations at F.I.U. She enjoys writing, reading, movies, computers, swimming, baseball and hanging around with her cat. Her prayer for The Trumpeter: "For God to bless this ministry and that it will continue to grow and be used by Him to complete His will."

Our Marketing Director, Dennis Gordon, has been on board with us since the inception. He is the proud father of Jessica Ashley, age 14, and attends Ministries United by Faith Church. Dennis has his own marketing firm and enjoys golfing, woodworking, and biking on his free time.

Iris has been with The Trumpeter since September of 1997. She started as a freelance writer and became the Assistant Assignment Editor in April of 1998. She heard about The Trumpeter from Gary Cameron, the counselor at the F.I.U. InterVarsity Fellowship where she serves doing various jobs such as leading small groups and the IVC newsletter. Her hobbies are photography, reading, writing, making scrapbooks, watching tear-jerking movies, hanging out with family and friends, going on road trips and most of all serving the Lord. At her home church, New Life Presbyterian, she is the youth counselor. "God has used everyone at The Trumpeter to bless me so much more than they could ever imagine. I pray that the Lord continues using this ministry to touch the lives of others."

Marty and Ron met through a mutual friend eight years ago. Having served in the Navy, where he developed many of his technical skills, Ron has been a valuable asset to The Trumpeter for nearly a year and a half. As the Computer Systems Manager, Ron is in charge of keeping the magazine in order by ensuring that the computers are active and running. He attends MDCC where he is working on a degree in Computer Science. He is currently searching for a home church. Single, his hobbies are working on cars, playing on the web, movies, rollerblading and other outdoor activities. "The Trumpeter has helped my spiritual growth, by allowing me to work alongside other Christians in ministry."

Blondie is the author of The Touch of the Master's Hand (a journey into stolen innocence), a publishing coach and a workshop facilitator. For the past three years God has used her as a freelance writer and also as the former Assignment Editor at The Trumpeter. She enjoys writing, teaching others how to publish books, arts and crafts, studying the Bible, exercise, reading, talking to young people and spending time with her husband Frank and the family. "The Trumpeter continues to be number one with me. It's a great resource for the Christian Community of places to go and things to see in the Body of Christ. I thank God that through Marty and The Trumpeter staff He uses me in the way He does."

Johnny is an electronics specialist with the Federal Aviation Administration. He was introduced to The Trumpeter through E-link (an Internet service provider) three years ago. Apart from assisting with various jobs and providing creative story and cover ideas, Johnny designed the original The Trumpeter's website before Apex Wordout.net . His hobbies are: listening to Christian music, computers, sports, bicycling, rollerblading, photography and watching sports. "I pray God will continue to use The Trumpeter Magazine as a tool to evangelize, minister and bring Christians closer within our community."

Ana attends El Cordero Presbyterian Church and enjoys watching drag racing and anything else that is artsy. She is a Journalism student at F.I.U. and has been with The Trumpeter for one year. Apart from being a freelance writer for the magazine, Ana is also the Around Town and Book and Music Review Editor. "Working with The Trumpeter has opened a spiritual realm I didn't know existed. I came here gripped with panic and depression. Working here has helped me to overcome these obstacles by learning my authority in Christ."

Rev. Barek has been with The Trumpeter for two years helping with public relations, promotion and writing. He is the Pastor of The Florida Hispanic Baptist Church. He is married to Sarah and has three kids: Joshua, 14, Jacqueline, 6 and John Joseph Jr., 4. His hobbies are soccer and karate. "The magazine has been a blessing to our Hispanic ministerial fellowship."

Dee has been with The Trumpeter since its inception in 1993 and has done everything from helping with the distribution of the magazine to interceding for the ministry. She works for the Hallendale Digest Newspaper and her home church is Cornerstone of Fort Lauderdale. She is a single mother of two daughters, Dana and Kristin and she enjoys dining out and excersising. "Being involved with The Trumpeter has been such a tremendous blessing. I've made priceless friendships with which to give, love and share good times and times of turmoil."

A retired Ophthalmologist who loves the Lord, Dr. J. Lawton Smith has written Bible studies for The Trumpeter since 1995. He is married to Elizabeth and the couple has three adult children. Dr. Smith enjoys walking and praying, directing Bible Studies, teaching and studying the bassoon (a musical instrument). "I appreciate so much the opportunity to be able to publish Bible Studies in The Trumpeter."

Kezia is the newest addition to The Trumpeter, serving God in the ministry by editing and writing since July. Having prayed for an opportunity to serve the Lord using her gift of verse, she feels that God opened the door and provided the way when a friend, Char Gregg, told her to call The Trumpeter. "I believe in God's plan and that He is going to use me to serve Him through service in The Trumpeter." She attends the Chinese Baptist Church of Miami and her hobbies are rollerblading, swimming, reading, writing, bicycling and watching movies. "Even though I've only been here for a short time, I've been touched by God in a powerful way. Some of the stories I edit touch my heart to the core and I know that He is using the words to touch me as well as others."

Aaron Krause joined the staff in May 1997 and is a writer for The Trumpeter. He came to us as a volunteer through an ad at Barry University. He is currently a junior at Barry University and is pursuing a degree in English with a minor in Journalism. He attends Temple Judea in Coral Gables. On his free time, Aaron plays the piano, enjoys reading, and watches sports and movies.

Mary Anne has been a freelance writer and editing assistant with The Trumpeter for three years via e-mail. She is married and the mother of two daughters: Meg, 8 and Katie, 11. Her home church is Vineyard Community Church of Cincinnati, Ohio. Mary Anne operates her own company called Sharbaugh Writing and Editing Service. Her hobbies are crafts, reading, gardening, tennis, jogging, bicycling and writing. "The Trumpeter has given me the opportunity to use my gift of writing to bring others closer to the Lord."

Dr. Place is the President of Ted Place Ministries and has always found time to write and give much needed advice to The Trumpeter since it began in 1993. "The Trumpeter has increased my awareness of the significant spiritual community in South Florida and afforded me great joy in sharing the vision and the concern for South Florida by Marty and staff."

Sports writer for the past three years for The Trumpeter, Maggie attends Calvary Chapel of Fort Lauderdale. She is single and loves writing, cooking, traveling, watching sports (favorite pastime) and eating. "The Trumpeter Magazine has given me a family where I have no relatives! I've been truly blessed to use my talents for the Lord."

Her son Ron brought her to The Trumpeter four months ago to assist with various tasks. Today she is in charge of book keeping and collections. She is married and has three children. Her hobby is genealogy-Jean has been able to trace her family roots back to the eighteenth century. Her prayer is for all to hear His Word.