Leadership

James Pendleton

Lead Pastor

James graduated from Baptist Bible College in Springfield, MO in 1997 with a degree in Missions and Biblical Studies. Since then, he has served with various churches in Florida and Pennsylvania leading youth, young adult, small group, and teaching ministries. James has also served with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes for several years in South Florida. In 2008 God laid on his heart to plant a new church here in Martin County, which eventually became Coastal Life Church.  

James and his wife Kirsten met in college and were married in 1996. They have two incredible adult children, Kaleigh and Caleb. James and Kirsten have served alongside each other over these years and have a desire to spiritually invest into people by sharing life and the Gospel with them (1 Thessalonians 2:8).

Brad Atherton

Executive Pastor of Ministries

Brad has been on staff at Coastal Life since the fall of 2020.  Brad & Stephanie married in 2003 and love living in sunny South Florida. They have 4 kids, Hayden, Liam, Easton and Everly. Brad felt the Lord leading him into worship ministry and has faithfully served in this capacity for over 7 years. He attended Metropolitan State College of Denver as well as Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary & is excited to serve at Coastal!

Jason Kratochvil

Discipleship & Missions Pastor

Jason graduated from Baptist Bible College in Springfield, MO in 1999 with a degree in Missions and Biblical Studies.  After serving a two-year internship, Jason and his wife, Nadia, spent almost 13 years as church planning missionaries in the country of Nicaragua. For the last eight years, Jason pastored in Jacksonville, FL. In November 2022, Jason felt God leading him in a different direction in ministry, which led him to Coastal Life Church.

Jason and  Nadia met in college and were married in 1999. They have two adult children, Katie and Hudson. They also have two children still at home, Hunter and Harrison. Jason and Nadia are so honored to be a part of CLC and look forward to helping people of all ages come to saving faith in Christ and grow in Him!

Jeremy Rader

Children's  Pastor

After teaching in Christian elementary schools for 18 years, God brought Jeremy, his wife, Joy, and their 4 daughters from Southern California to join the staff at CLC in the summer of 2015.  They are so excited to be a part of this ministry and have quickly grown to love the people here, the priority that God's Word holds, and the passion for "being the church" that is so pervasive. Jeremy looks forward to seeing what God will do in and through the children of CLC as they grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. His prayer for them is that they would "be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might" so that their light would "shine before men" to bring glory to our Father in heaven.

Kaleigh Boyett

Student Ministry Director

Kaleigh has been a part of Coastal Life Church since the very beginning. Kaleigh, her brother and her parents, James and Kirsten Pendleton, started Coastal Life as a family in their living room. Kaleigh attended Liberty University and graduated in May of 2019 with her Bachelors in Interdisciplinary Studies and Education. Kaleigh and her husband, Tanner Boyett, got married in January of 2021 and lead our high school and middle school ministries. Kaleigh’s heart and passion is for teenagers and mentoring young girls through these crucial years, which makes her a great fit to lead our student ministry.

Ben Carson

Tech Director

Ben joined our staff at Coastal Life in the summer of 2022. He was born to missionary parents in Colombia and is one of five children. Ben & Jenni have been married for 4 years and have a beautiful daughter, Evie, who is almost two. They are excited to be back in sunny South Florida where Jenni grew up. Ben has always had a passion for music and technology, so when God asked him to put those gifts together, he was excited to serve. He has been in his field for over 10 years and is excited to serve at Coastal!

Nadia Kratochvil

Early Childhood Director

Nadia graduated from Baptist Bible College in Springfield, MO with a degree in Missions and Elementary Education. She served alongside her husband, Jason, during a two year missions internship that led to serving the women and children of Nicaragua for almost 13 years.  For the last eight years, she has served in Jacksonville, FL in many different facets of ministry.

Nadia and Jason were married in 1999 and have four wonderful children, Katie, Hudson, Hunter, and Harrison.  Nadia is so excited to help the children at Coastal Life learn to know and love Jesus!

Stephanie Atherton

Host Team Coordinator

Stephanie and her family moved to Florida in November 2020 when her husband, Brad, accepted a position at Coastal Life Church. They have been married since 2003 and have 4 kids: Hayden, Liam, Easton and Everly. Turning in their Colorado snow boots for Florida flip flops has been a very welcomed adventure! Stephanie has a passion for ensuring each person feels known, loved, and connected at Coastal.

Casi Brush

Communications Director

Casi, her husband, Norm, and their two children, Jake and Lyla, have been a part of the Coastal Life family since March of 2015. She grew up in the ministry as a pastor's kid and has served alongside her family her whole life. She also is a native and was born right here in Stuart! Casi joined our part-time staff in March of 2020 and enjoys helping with the communication needs through our social media platforms, website, weekly emails and so much more. Casi's passions and skills are a perfect fit for our Coastal staff team.