Rev. Robert “Woody” Woodward

Pastor Woody, a native of Maine, has been a counselor, police officer /deputy sheriff, nonprofit CEO, professional magician, and an innkeeper. He has been chair of numerous statewide non-profit organizations, an elected municipal official, and a consultant in non-profit management and leadership. Later he was called to ministry, eventually serving as the Associate Pastor of a United Methodist Church outside of Portland, Maine. Pastor Woody serves as president of a private charitable foundation and is a Florida Supreme Court-certified County Mediator, volunteering for the 12th Circuit Court.

Pastor Woody and his wife Dee moved to Sarasota in 2018, where he volunteered at Gocio Elementary School for a year teaching Drama while waiting appointment as a pastor. He joined the First United Methodist Church of Sarasota in 2019 as Assistant Pastor for Outreach and was appointed Associate Pastor in 2022.

Pastor Woody and his wife Dee relocated to Manatee County with their 11-pound Chiweenie, Rosie. Their daughter, Elizabeth, lives in Sarasota. Pastor Woody was appointed as Senior Pastor at Manatee LIFE Church, Bradenton, Florida, in July 2024.