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Meet Our Staff

Miami Shores Presbyterian Church
Staff Members

Staff Biographies

Dr. Sam Rutland - Senior Pastor/Head of Staff
Dr. Sam brings enthusiasm and experience to our church family. Raised in North Carolina, Dr. Sam graduated from Wake Forest University, earned his Master of Divinity from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and a Doctor of Ministry from Columbia Theological Seminary. Dr. Sam started with us in July 2004 and is no stranger to our Presbytery of Tropical Florida. He served most recently as Senior Pastor of the Indian River Presbyterian Church, Ft. Pierce (9 years) and was presbytery moderator in 2001. He and his wife Mimi have two daughters, Meredith and Sarah.

Dr. Charles Chai - Associate Pastor
Dr. Chai, a native of Korea, received his Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of Connecticut in 1968. He has taught at Tulane University, the University of Miami, and George Washington University. Dr. Chai has served as an advisor to mayors, Chambers of Commerce, the Urban League, Jewish Community Center, Hispanic Organizations, Asian groups, and numerous other civic organizations. He also served as an advisor to the Office of the President of South Korea and to members of the Korean Government. Dr. Chai attended Columbia Theological Seminary and was ordained into the Presbyterian Church (USA) in August of 2000.

Danny Loffredo -Designated Associate Pastor for Youth and Outreach

Danny is a native of Miami Shores. He has been a member of MSPC for five years. He recently graduated from Columbia Theological Seminary (December 06) with his Masters of Divinity. Danny graduated from the University of Central Florida in 2002 with a B.A. in Political Science. Danny went to Archbishop Curley Notre-Dame high school where he played basketball, golf, and swimming. Danny loves to minister to youth and be a leader in discipleship and evangelism. During seminary, he interned as a hospital chaplain and at a new church in Clermont, FL. His hobbies include listening to all types of Christian music (www.holyhiphop.com is his favorite), lifting weights, all types of sports, movies, golf and fishing.

Dr. Irvin Elligan, Jr. – Parish Associate
Known as ‘Mike’ among friends and family, Dr. Elligan joined MSPC in 1993 as Parish Associate. A native of Chattanooga, Tennessee, he graduated from Knoxville College, attended Pittsburgh-Xenia Seminary and was ordained into the United Presbyterian Church of North America.
Highlights of his career include his founding of a congregation called the All Souls Presbyterian Church in Richmond, Virginia and his leadership participation in the March On Washington during the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960’s.
Many pastorates later, including one at New Covenant Presbyterian Church in Miami-Dade County, Mike retired and currently serves on the Board of Directors of the South Florida Center For Theological Studies.

Dr. Audley G. Reid– Parish Associate

Dr. Reid was born in Montego Bay, Jamaica. He is one of ten children. He grew up in Chatham, St. James, Jamaica. He attended Calabar Theological College and received a Diploma in Theology (Greek & Hebrew option) at the University of London, England. He also received a BA in Social Sciences from the University of the West Indies and a Masters in Theological Studies and a Doctorate in Sociology from Emory University. Dr. Reid has served as Stated Supply minister in many locations and is at present a Professor of Social Sciences at Florida Memorial University here in Miami. Dr. Reid and his wife Verna have been married for 41 years and have three grown children, Gail, Audley Jr. and Seana.

Sylvia Halter - Administrative Assistant to Senior Pastor

Sylvia is a native of Florida, and joined the MSPC staff in May, 2006. She is a graduate of the University of Miami. She is married and has three children--2 daughters, Lea and Chelsea and one son, Rick.

Lois Weismantle - Church Secretary
Originally from St. Louis, MO, Lois is married to John Grundhauser and has lived in Miami since 1985. She is the mother of 5 children, and she has grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Elizabeth Binai - Church Receptionist
Elizabeth is a native of Evanston, IL and a lifetime member of the Evanston Historical Society. She graduated from Indiana University with a BA Degree in Languages. She relocated to Miami in 1956 and is the mother of four children. Prior to joining the MSPC staff in 1976, she was involved with Hospice and FRIENDS, a suicide prevention group.