MINSITRY LEADERS
Pastor & Dr. Gilbert
Pastor Chris Gilbert and Dr. Rachel Gilbert have been leading our church with passion and dedication since 2023. Pastor Chris, who received his ministerial license in 2022, also graduated from Housatonic Community College with a focus on Advanced Manufacturing and Machining. With 10 years of ministry experience, Pastor Chris has embraced a variety of roles, from cleaning the church bathrooms to preaching from the pulpit, demonstrating his unwavering commitment to serving the church in every capacity.
Dr. Rachel, originally from California, earned her Bachelor’s Degree from the University of the Pacific and went on to receive her Doctorate in Psychology from Azusa Pacific University. Over the years, she has been involved in numerous ministries and is now a passionate advocate for supporting mental health within the Church, ensuring that emotional well-being is recognized and nurtured as part of the spiritual journey.
Assistant Pastor John & Kara Banores
Assistant Pastor John and Kara Banores are an integral part of Haven of Hope, serving in a variety of essential roles. As Assistant Pastor, John works alongside Pastor Chris to guide the church in fulfilling God's will, offering support in preaching, teaching, administration, and exemplifying Christ’s love in all areas. Together with his wife Kara, they are also deeply committed to creating a safe and nurturing environment for the children of Haven of Hope, where they can learn about God in a fun, age-appropriate way. In addition, Kara also is a part of our Music Team, helping to usher the congregation into a spirit filled time of worship every Sunday.
Edwin & Donna Amoro
A seasoned minister of the Gospel, Edwin Amoro has served as a part of Haven of Hope’s leadership team since the early inception of the church. He, along with his wife Donna lead one of our Connect Groups, as well as serve as an Associate Minister at HoH. Edwin also served for many years in the United States Army. Donna has also served tirelessly as a greeter on our Hospitality team. We are blessed to have the Amoros as faithful members of the Haven of Hope team.
Amanda Thompson
Amanda Thompson has been a dedicated and valued member of Haven of Hope's Music Team for many years. Her heartfelt, God-centered approach to worship has earned her the role of Director of Music at the church. With a servant’s heart, Amanda has also contributed to various other ministries, including Hospitality and Kids’ Ministry, demonstrating her unwavering commitment to serving in every area of church life.
Hannah Banores
Hannah Banores serves as the Multi-Media Team Lead at Haven of Hope, overseeing the team responsible for managing the video and media elements used during our services. In addition to her leadership role, Hannah applies her artistic talents to create engaging photo and video content that enhances the church's outreach and communication efforts. Her creativity and dedication are invaluable to our ministry.
Tecia Hunt
Tecia Hunt has been a longtime member of Haven of Hope, serving in the Hospitality and Greeters ministry. You can often find her helping in the kitchen or wherever there is a need! In 2024 Tecia took over the Community Action Ministry at Haven of Hope. CAM is our outreach ministry who’s mission is to go where we are needed. CAM has served meals at Ronald MacDonald House, helped at Special Olympics events, given out care packages to un-housed people, sponsored families for Christmas, and raised supplies for local schools. Tecia has a passion for helping others and is a fearless advocate in her community.
Jeff & Pamela Banores
Jeff Banores serves as the leader of the New Haven chapter of the Azusa Street Riders, one of the ministries hosted through Haven of Hope. Azusa Street Riders is a ministry dedicated to the use of motorcycles as outreach tools for the kingdom of God. He, as well as many of the men at HoH, ride together and represent God within biker culture. He further serves as head of security for the church. Jeff and his wife, Pam do a great job serving as one of our Connect Group leaders. They also have three children, each of whom attend Haven of Hope and Serve in other leadership roles.
Barbara Nicholls
Barbara Nicholls is the head of one of Haven of Hope’s most valued ministries; the Prayer Ministry Team. This team is responsible for keeping a culture of fervent and targeted prayer our foremost priority. Barbara leads The Prayer Team and its network of dedicated individuals in keeping the services and leadership of HoH covered in prayer.
Rick & Stacey Perry
FOUNDING PASTOR
Pastor Rick & Stacey Perry lead Haven of Hope from it’s founding in 2009 until 2023. Rick is a graduate of both Indiana Bible College and Great Lakes University, B.A. of Religious Studies. Stacey attended Texas Bible College before serving as the secretary of a growing church in upstate New York. Married in Botswana, Africa in 1994 they both draw from a life of ministry. Stacey grew up in a missionary’s home in Moshi, Tanzania while Rick is the son of a church planter in Ohio, USA.
The Perry’s helped establish and grow the Learning Centre School and the United Pentecostal Church of Botswana with Stacey’s parents in Botswana, Africa for many years. Eventually, God called them and their family to New Haven, CT to establish Haven of Hope. Rick has served as Senior Pastor of Haven of Hope for 14 years, while Stacey was our HoH Kids Team Lead.
Together they have two children, Alyssa and Alex, who are also heavily involved in the Kingdom of God. The Perry’s came to the New Haven area with a strong burden and passion for the greater New Haven community and a desire to reach as many people as possible with the Gospel and Christ-like love and compassion. In 2022 they felt the call to return to Botswana and are now fully appointed missionaries of the UPCI to the country of Botswana, Africa.