Pastoral Staff

Pat Hand
Intentional Interim Pastor
Pastor Pat joined the pastoral staff at BE Free in April of 2023 after Pastor Steve's retirement. With his vast experience in local church ministry, Pat is committed to helping BE Free move forward and prepare for a new senior pastor. Pastor Pat is accompanied by his wife, Carol. In their free time, they enjoy riding their Spyder, spending time outside, and camping with their RV. They also love spending time with their children and grandchildren. With nearly 100 years of combined experience in local church ministry, Pastor Pat and Carol have adapted with the changing seasons of time while remaining steadfast in presenting the unchanging Gospel story and message of Jesus. Their commitment to the church and its members is evident in their dedication to helping the church navigate this transitional period.
David J. Peters
Associate Pastor
Pastor David Peters was raised all over North America, born in Kansas and spending the majority of his life in Western and Central Canada (Ontario). A proud mix of American, Canadian, Japanese and German heritage, he finds himself with a passion for traveling and a student of many cultures. David attended the University of Windsor, where he discovered a calling to ministry through InterVarsity Christian Fellowship. He went on to pursue a Master’s Degree in Theology from Dallas Theological Seminary, using his interests, skills and experiences to train for vocational ministry. David met his wife, Sasha, during his final year at DTS, a relationship born from a love of sushi. They married in Dallas in May of 2019, after which God called them to Branford. They share a love for different foods, finding new restaurants, exploring the outdoors, time at the beach, and enjoy sharing two cultures (Sasha is from Ukraine) in one marriage. David enjoys all things fantasy and sci-fi, with a particular love for Lord of the Rings and Star Wars. David joined BE Free in March of 2020. He seeks to empower young people to see God’s perspective on their lives and to show them how they can practically and holistically follow Jesus in every part of life.

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Core Vision Team

Michelle Thompson
Executive Administrator
John Cudgma
Director of Operations
Amy Faitsch
Director of Education
Daniel Juárez
Director of Worship