Robert H. Seawell, Rector
Founding pastor of Church of the Apostles.
Robert previously served three congregations from 1985 to 1999 after his graduation from Virginia Theological Seminary in the spring of 1985. He and his wife , Ruth Cardinal, were married in October of 1985 and have four children, Katherine, Cardinal, Hails and Sam. Robert is a graduate of Southern Oregon University and came into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ in the winter of 1981 during his post-college years. “The relentless love and mercy of God caught up with me and claimed me when I finally tired of running.”
Robert embraces the mission of the gospel which proclaims that through the saving work of the cross of Jesus Christ people are restored to their relationship with God, and through the ministry of the church they are formed as disciples of Jesus and taught to be caretakers and stewards of each other and of all creation. Robert's email: robert@e-cota.org
Erin Langley, Creative Arts Director
Erin is the co-founder and Artistic Director of Jitterbug Theatre Productions, a regionally touring theatre for young audiences. She has written and directed three original musicals and has served as a composer for EEC International, an educational publishing company which develops English learning tools for foreign students. She has developed Reading/Theatre Residencies for struggling second and third grade students and has also served as Artist-In-Residence at several Baldwin County schools. Erin has directed numerous musical productions for Jitterbug Theatre, as well as for the Fairhope Educational Enrichment Foundation. She is a former third grade teacher of the Baldwin County Public School System. In her spare time, Erin enjoys singing with the Mobile Opera, recording vocals for local projects and spending time with her husband Karl and their children, Ezra and Zoë.
Rev. Mark J. DiCristina, Associate Pastor
He has served churches in Birmingham and Fairhope, Alabama and in Gulf Breeze, Florida since 1986. Mark grew up outside of Boston, on Massachusetts’ North Shore, where he received most of his formal education, completing his Masters of Divinity degree at Virginia Theological Seminary outside of Washington, D.C.
Mark is a passionate and compassionate pastor and teacher; he has a heart to help people to trust God deeply by experiencing his love in Jesus Christ and to better understand God’s Word that we might live it more fully and fruitfully. He is very thankful to be a part of God’s “Restoration Project”. He and Brooke were married in 1978 and have three sons, three daughters-in-law, and two grandchildren—all beautiful! He enjoys reading on his back porch, running, Boston sports teams, good coffee and good beer.
Andy Cloininger (Artist in Residence) Music
Andy is the music leader at Church of the Apostles. He has been married to his lovely wife Jenni since 1992 and they have four awesome kids: Kaylee, Drew, Reed and Sam. Andy knows that music is a gift of God that brings joy and worship to those who are rejoicing, healing and comfort to those whose hearts are broken and an honest and poignantly haunting call to those who may have hardened their hearts to spiritual things. He is called to and excited about sharing his music with others on this life’s journey. Andy is an ASCAP award wining songwriter and author of two devotional books. He is a sought after performer and music producer. Andy also speaks at youth camps, retreats and church functions as well as continuing to perform at club and coffee houses where Jesus is equally present.
Cheryl Sturdy, Support Staff
Cheryl studied art at Concord University in Athens, WV. She worked at the Charleston Gazette/Daily Mail as a staff artist for 4 years. She then worked at a local advertising agency, winning a few accolades for small ads in Brides' Magazine. This position led to an interview to run an in house agency for a chain of 27 retail stores in 6 states. She was able to work with radio, television and print advertising in this capacity. While employed for this company, she met her future husband, John. They moved to Chicago where Cheryl free-lanced as a copywriter and acquired a position in the Art Department of Kioritz Corporation of America/Japan. A job transfer moved them to Roswell, Georgia where she was employed as a copywriter for a small ad agency. She later became a Realtor in Baldwin County and obtained an Appraiser License. Cheryl's son, home from The Citadel, took her to Church of the Apostles...and so it began.
