Leadership

PASTOR & ELDERS

Board of Elders
BE Free Church is led by a board of elders, selected among men who are mature Christians and meet the biblical requirements for elders and pastors. We believe that the elder-led model is both biblical and practical; it allows for shared responsibility over leadership, provides an important layer of accountability, protects against abuse of authority and poor decision-making, provides for balanced leadership and gives the church long-term stability. We're thankful for our elders and their wise leadership!
Pastor Kevin Martin joined BE Free Church as Senior Pastor in February 2025. Prior to this, he served at Wheatland Community Church in Rush, NY, beginning as Youth Pastor in 2008 and transitioning to the role of Senior Pastor in 2016. A graduate of Liberty University, Kevin desires that more people would come to faith in Christ. He seeks to show people how the truth of the Bible can impact their daily lives and is passionate about helping believers of all ages grow in their faith. As a pastor, Kevin prioritizes living a Jesus-centered life, loving God and others, and serving with joy. Kevin and Jennifer, his wife of 20 years, share four children, ages 5-15. In his free time, Kevin enjoys sports, especially soccer, hikes and nature walks, and family movie/game nights.
Elijah Amendola, Bill Leino, Russ Geary
Kevin Martin
Mark Longbrake, Mike Casey, Jacob Lieber

MINISTRY LEADERS

Kim Reyes & Jen Dangora
BE Free Kids
Jen and Kim love to see children learn more about Jesus. Together they use their experience as mothers and talent as teachers to lead BE Free Kids; helping create opportunities for kids to grow closer to God.
Liz & Danny Faitsch
BE Free Teens
Liz and Danny met at Word of Life Bible Institute in upstate New York. They were married in 2017 and moved to Branford in 2018 where they live with their young son. They have led BE Free Teens since 2023 and love investing their time and energy into the lives of young people.
Amy Faitsch
Sports & Art Camp
Amy was drawn to BE Free over a decade ago as her family sought a church that would embrace their children with joy and help them grow in faith. As the director of Sports and Art Camp Amy loves watching God bless children of all ages and grow their faith year after year.
Ruth Westerholm
Outreach
Ruth grew up as a Pastor's daughter - her father, Walter Westerholm, was a beloved pastor at BE Free for many years. Ruth previously was employed as Director of Christian Education at BE Free. She now brings her great love for people, and for sharing the life-changing message of the gospel to her role as Director of Outreach.
Erin Longbrake
Community
In her daily life, Erin is an Associate Professor of Neurology at Yale University. She and her family have attended BE Free since 2017 and have served in many capacities. In her free time, Erin enjoys baking and cake decorating. She brings energy, creativity, and serious administrative skills to her role as Director of Community.

Alexis Casey
BE Free Women
Alexis came to BE Free in the early '90s as a young mom and freelance writer. Over the years she has been blessed to build meaningful relationships with other women and to grow in her faith through women’s Bible studies, seasonal events, and retreats. She is honored to serve as point person for BE Free Women and leads with experience, wisdom, and grace.
Mike Casey, Dave Trotta,
BE Free Men
BE Free Men takes a team approach to leadership. Mike and Dave are long-time members of BE Free and have each served in a variety of roles. They serve as point-people for communications and planning, while Dave Trotta Jr. and Derek McGlynn are also involved in leading weekly meetings and planning special events. They all share a deep love for God and a passion for raising up faithful men.
John Cudgma
Operations
John is a man of few words who possesses a comprehensive knowledge of fire safety, baseball, and buildings. A natural leader, with a good sense of humor, John leads our operations team well and always makes sure the job gets done.

STAFF

Michelle Thompson
Administration
Michelle grew up in Australia and enjoyed traveling with her parents who helped her cultivate a curious, adventurous and deeply caring nature. With a background in banking and bookkeeping, Michelle's attentiveness and love for people serves BE Free well.
Naomi Lieber
Media & Design
Naomi and her husband, Jacob, have attended BE Free since 2007. Naomi has a background in education and found herself presented with opportunities to work and volunteer in media-related roles. She's enjoying the adventure!
Frank Ellison
Facilities
Frank has attended BE Free since the early 2000s with his wife and two young daughters. A Marine Corps veteran and Registered Nurse, Frank brings a strong work ethic, attention to detail, and love for the church to his role as Sexton.