MINSITRY LEADERS
Pastor & Dr. Gilbert
Pastor Chris Gilbert and Dr. Rachel Gilbert are two core individuals who help us advance the mission of Haven of Hope. Chris is our Lead Pastor, he was installed in 2023. Chris has been serving in ministry for the last 10 years. He has done everything from clean the church bathrooms to preach in the pulpit. Rachel leads Community Action Ministries, or CAM. CAM is our way of getting even more involved in our communities through volunteer and charitable work throughout the greater New Haven area. Rachel grew up in California, where she earned her Bachelor’s Degree at University of the Pacific, and later her Doctorate in Psychology from Azusa Pacific University. Chris graduated from Housatonic Community College where he studied Advance Manufacturing and Machining.
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.
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.
John & Kara Banores
John and Kara Banores are a young couple enthusiastic about leading one of Haven of Hope’s most fun and energetic teams. Leading HOH Kids, John and Kara dedicate each of their Sunday mornings to making sure the children of HoH have a safe environment conducive to learning about God, all while in a fun and age-appropriate forum. Kara is also the Hoh’s Hospitality Team Lead. Kara is responsible for making sure the guests of Haven of Hope are treated with first-class hospitality as soon as they walk through our doors. At Haven of Hope, we know visiting a new church can sometimes be daunting, so we make it our priority to make sure guests feel welcome.
Amanda Thompson
Amanda Thompson has been a distinguished member of Haven of Hope's music team for many years. Her heart-felt, God-centered approach to worship is why she is now the Director of Music at Haven of Hope. True to her servant's heart, Amanda has also helped in other ministries, including Hospitality and Kids’ Ministry.
Hannah Banores
Hannah Banores is the Multi-Media Team Lead at HoH. Our Multi-Media Team is responsible for working with the video capabilities the church utilizes during our services. Hannah also uses her artistic talents to produce photo and video content for the church.
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.
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.