Staff
Pastor John Heinike - Connect Pastor
john@akronfree.org
Hey, I'm John Heinike and I'm the guy who is in charge of connecting people together. This takes places in two ways. First, involves how our church connects to the people around Akron and surrounding communities. Second, involves how guests at AFMC connect into our church family. We know that going to an unknown church can be intimidating, that's why it is our goal to provide a welcoming and comfortable environment for everyone who would like to join us in worship.
Basic Stuff: In 2007, my wife Linda and I sold our nursery business so I could pursue ministry on a full time basis. Presently, I'm in seminary, along with working at AFMC. Linda and I have two children: Lara and Jimmy. I have been a life long resident of western New York; initially living in Orchard Park and moving to Akron in 1990. Having had the opportunity of traveling to other areas of the country, I have come to appreciate the warm and friendly nature of western New Yorkers. I think God appreciates that attribute as well, so at AFMC, we make a concerted effort to treat everyone as a friend.
Birthday: January 23, 1960
Education: Bachelors of Landscape Architecture from Michigan State University. Presently attending Northeastern Seminary.
Interests and Favorites
- Places: Columbia River Gorge in Oregon, the Grand Canyon, Montreal
- Books: The Count of Monte Cristo, Les Miserable, A Pilgrim's Progress
- Sports Teams: Bills, Sabres, MSU Spartans football and basketball
- Hobbies: Bike riding, walking, hunting (sleeping in the woods)
- Movies: Lord of the Rings (all three), Braveheart
- Dislikes: When computers don't work, clothes shopping
- Life Scripture: "Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom or the strong man boast of his strength or the rich man boast of his riches, but let him who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight," declares the Lord. Jeremiah 9:23-24
Pastor James Kendall - Youth Pastor
jim@akronfree.org
Basic Stuff: I came to know God through a Billy Graham crusade in Toronto, Canada.
Birthday: January 18th, 1967
Education: Graduated from Air Force Technical School for HVAC and Power Management
Interests and Favorites:
- Places: Charleston, South Car., Denver Col.
- Books: Most books by Feldmen, Peritti and Dekker
- Sports Teams: Buffalo Sabres, Buffalo Bills, New York Yankees, Denver Nuggets, Syracuse and U.B. Teams
- Hobbies: Fishing, reading, golfing and watching sports
- Movies: The Day After Tomorrow, The Matrix, Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe, Outlaw Josey Wales, any Sci-Fi movies.
- TV Shows: The Closer, Psych
- Dislikes: People who are rude, long lasting winters
- Season(s) of the Year: Fall
- Scripture Verse: John 20:29-Then Jesus told him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."
Bill Cravatta - Music/Media/Web
bcravatta@akronfree.org
Basic Stuff: My name is Bill Cravatta and my position here at AFMC is the coordinator of the music and visual arts of the church. This position involves preparing music, videos for every Sunday service, recording our services for distribution, taking care of the AFMC website's integrity, graphic arts and podcast. I'm here to support all of the ministries of the church in the capacity of music and video. It's my goal that your experience here at AFMC is an enjoyable, uplifting, challenging and spiritually memorable one.
Birthday: July 7th 1961
Education: Daemen College, Music Composition and Theory; Erie Community College, Early Childhood Education; Bryant and Stratton, Computer Science; Clarence Senior High School Class of '80
Interests and Favorites
- Places: Israel, New York City, Washington D.C., Orlando, Hawaii
- Books: The Three Battlegrounds, The Truth About Muhammad, The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich, 100 People Who Are Screwing Up America, Fresh Wind Fresh Fire, Exploring Worship
- Sports Teams: Buffalo Sabres
- Favorite Music Groups: Genesis, Peter Gabriel, Brian Doerksen, Coldplay, Kraftwerk, Depeche Mode, Bach, Steve Hackett, Simon and Garfunkel
- Hobbies: Song Writing, Making Films, Fixing Computers, DJing,
- Season (s) Of the Year: Fall and Summer
- Life Scripture: Psalm 139:1-18, 23-24
Nancy Orr- Children's Ministries Director
norr@akronrfree.org
Basic Stuff: I was raised in the Catholic faith, but explored other faiths and due to the influence of a friend’s mom, she continually encouraged me and always called to invite me to their church services. I became convicted that Jesus was my Savior around the age of 24. Thankfully, I was raised to have a faith in God and through my adulthood the foundation that was laid has just kept growing. When my life seems chaotic and in a frenzy, as it usually is, I know that I can find calm in the Lord to settle the storm.
Birthday: February 16th, 1968
Education:Walters State Community College-Communications; Morristown Hamblen Hight School
Interests and Favorites:
- Places: The Adirondacks – anywhere that there is no electricity, cell phones or TV
- Books: Jane Austin is my favorite
- Sports Teams: Not really into a particular team, I watch Ice Skating, Horse Racing & football if it’s what’s on.
- Hobbies: Camping, sleeping, Stain Glass window making & playing with my daughter
- Movies: Lord of The Ring Trilogy, Narnia, Shawshank Redemption, any Ray Harryhausen movie, and A&E ‘s Pride & Prejudice
- TV Shows: Biggest Loser, The Office
- Season(s) of the Year: Spring and Fall
- Scripture Verse: From the book of Ruth: "Don't urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. 17 Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the LORD deal with me, be it ever so severely, if anything but death separates you and me." And from the book of Isaiah 41:10. "Fear not for I am with you. Do not look anxiously about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes - I will help you! I will uphold you with my righteous hand."
Pamela Roesch - Church Administration
pam@akronfree.org
Basic Stuff: I came to know God through my husband, George and his mom. I was 16 years old when we met and I started attending church with him. I accepted Jesus as my Savior and became baptized when I was 20. Since then my walk with Christ has been like a sailboat. Smooth and gentle sailing with some rough and stormy patches, but always knowing that that she who sees no clouds; see no rainbows!
Birthday: February 4th
Education: Graduated from Pembroke High
Interests and Favorites:
- Places: Disney World
- Books: The Oath by Frank Peretti
- Sports Teams: NASCAR Carl Edwards
- Hobbies: gardening & baking
- Movies: The Little Mermaid (yes, I still watch it)
- TV Shows: Survivor, CSI and Top Chef
- Dislikes: being rushed or late
- Season(s) of the Year: Spring
- Scripture Verse: Psalms 30:5 "For the sorrow may last for the night, but joy comes in the morning".