The ACTION Network

Board of Directors

The Affiliated Congregations To Improve Our Neighborhoods: ACTION Network Board of Directors (top row) Dr. Arnold Lastinger, Rev. Jack Donovan, Rev. Cliff Lyda, Dr. Larry Dennison, Bishop Walter Camps, (bottom row) Lew Mazzarella staff Fund Developer, Rev. Kevin Thorpe, Rev. Samuel Jones, Jr., Fr. Roland Julien, Nick Haskell Executive Director.

Rev. Samuel Jones, Pastor of Open Door Ministries, is the President. Pastor Jones is a life-long Gainesville resident. He has been pastor of Open Door Ministries for 27 years. His church has worked to have vacant lots cleaned and abandoned cars removed in the Duval community. Rev. Jones is one of the founding members of the ACTION Network.

Fr. Roland Julien, Pastor of St. Patrick Catholic Church, is the Treasurer. Fr. Julien has been pastor of St. Patrick more than 25 years. He works closely with St. Francis House and other local community groups. St. Patrick recently partnered with residents of Pine Grove Apartments and the Regional Transit System in changing the number 15 bus route to go down NE 2nd Ave, picking up senior and disabled residents of Pine Grove Apartments. Fr. Julien is also one of the
founding members of the ACTION Network.

Rev. Kevin Thorpe, Pastor of Faith Missionary Baptist Church, is the Secretary. Pastor Thorpe, a long time resident of Jacksonville, is relatively new to Gainesville and has been pastor of Faith Missionary Baptist Church since 1998. Pastor Thorpe and his congregation are very concerned about the crime and drug activity occurring in southeast Gainesville and the lack of alternative activities for young people.