Outnumbered, outdaughtered, and outdogged is a great starting point. Living with one wife, four daughters, and two female puppies basically sums it up. Dr. Joe has heart that bleeds for the lost, the community, preaching, Sunday morning worship, and that our churches embody the heart of Christ. He received his bachelors from Nazarene Bible College, Masters from Cairn University in Pennsylvania, and earned Doctorate Degree from Olivet Nazarene University. Pastor is always ready to greet someone and welcome them. So, come meet Dr. Joe and his precious family.
Youth Pastor
Pastor Joey can be best described as innovative, animated, and excited to serve Jesus. He currently serves as the Pastor of Student & Young Adult Ministries at AFC. Married to his best friend Stacie together with their sweet daughter, little Annie – collectively known as the Claus Family – they seek to empower younger believers to truly live out their faith through a simple phrase, ‘Saved People, Serve People.’
Joey is an honors graduate from Ohio Christian University, where he double majored in Pastoral Ministries and Business Administration. He is currently enrolled in the Masters of Pastoral Leadership program through Olivet Nazarene University. Having grown up in the Church of the Nazarene, Joey has worked toward ordination and will be confirmed in 2022.
For the past 7+ years, Joey has served congregations in Indiana, Ohio, and Virginia and has emersed himself into teenage culture – along with all its pros and cons. He is committed to investing in every student and determined to help them discover where their true identity comes from – Jesus Christ.
When not in the office, Joey can be found exploring local cultural and culinary scenes or dabbling in graphic design. He is an avid reader, coffee addict, and Indianapolis Colts Fan. He and Stacie can often be found vacationing in the mountains of Tennessee or the beaches of Florida.
Children’s Pastor
At the age of five, I met Jesus in a children’s church service. I remember the service, the caring leaders, the music, and even what I was wearing! The Lord has allowed me to remember that day and countless other childhood memories very vividly. I remember asking Him one day to never let me forget what it felt like to be a child. He has granted that request and allowed me to help lots of children over the years by reminding me what it feels like to be in their shoes. I am an ordained elder in the Church of the Nazarene. I graduated from Olivet Nazarene University with a degree in Elementary Education with minors in Christian Education and Sociology. I finished ordination requirements from the NEI School of Ministry and Nazarene Bible College. I taught fourth grade in Chicago public school before becoming a children’s pastor. I have served as children’s pastor at Kokomo First Nazarene and Harris Chapel Nazarene. I currently serve as the Northeast Indiana District. Children’s Ministry Director and Consultant as well as the children’s pastor here at AFC. It is such an honor to be able to serve with such amazing people who love Jesus and love children! My husband, Christopher, and I and our two kids love to travel, camp, boat, and have lots of fun in the great outdoors! We love our two Bernese Mountain dogs, Minnie and Max, and our little, tiny four-pound lap dog, Ollie! We live in a cabin in the woods, and we love where God has placed us!
Administrative Assistant
Whether you’re new to AFC or have been here forever, I’m here to help! Stop in, email me, or give me a call, and I will give it my best try!
After hours, some of my favorite things to do are spending time with my wonderful husband and two beautiful daughters, reading, baking cookies, watching Hallmark movies, and cheering on the Chicago Cubs!
I love to travel and see new places and am usually known to be planning that next trip. Last year I marked Glacier National Park off my bucket list! I have now been to 17 National Parks and have plans to see 4 more this summer and fall. Some of my favorite destinations have been Colorado, Utah, Marco Island, Prince Edward Island, and cruising the Pacific Coast Highway. Our family tries to visit a different MLB ballpark each year and my count is currently at 18. Go, Cubs, Go!
2 Timothy 4:17
Spanish Ministries Pastor
Hello, my name is Elias Cabello. I was born and grew up in Mexico City. I am the second son of a pastor’s family. All of my life has been played out in the brotherhood of Christ. I was baptized at 15 years of age. I have always wanted to do something to help my parents in their ministry. After finishing my studies in architectural design, I followed one of the other passions of my life: Study music, which would help in my parents’ ministry. I married Liliana in 1985, and God confirmed our call to ministry in 1987. She is also the daughter of pastors. God has given us the blessing of 6 children, whom we love deeply. Now we are the grandparents of Allyana and Luca. They are an extension of our live and passion for the family.
We grew in ministry for 10 years in Mexico City. Then we arrived in Sacramento, California in the year 1998 to begin working in Hispanic ministries in the United States. We moved to Indiana in the year 2001 to continue working with Hispanic churches in northern Indiana. In 2008 we became part of the ministry of the Church of the Nazarene. We came to the city of Anderson, to AFC AND WE ARE STILL HERE!
As a Hispanic family, we get great pleasure in being a bridge to connect families to a relationship with God through Jesus Christ. The family circle will always be a strategic nexus for carrying this to fruition.
We greatly enjoy passing time with friends, family and brothers and sisters in Christ. Our purpose is always to be a reflection of service and of the love of God in their lives.
Worship Leader
If there’s anything I’ve learned over the last few years, it is that the Lord will move and shift a person’s life, until His will and way are being walked out in obedience. In May of 2019, I said goodbye to my teaching career of 15 years, as the Lord so clearly prepared us for a shift in our lives. After leading worship during an interim time here at AFC, the Lord turned that into a more permanent role. I have a heart for leading others into worship, and I pray that in my weakness, He is made strong! It has been, and continues to be, a joy to lead worship in the church I grew up in and the one where I accepted Jesus at such a young and tender age. In Him, all things are possible…and I’m so thankful to be a part of this ministry team and church.
When at home, I love to hang out with my husband, Brian, and three children. Life is definitely never boring with this crew, but I wouldn’t have it any other way! I also love relaxing with a piping hot mug of coffee and a good Hallmark Christmas movie!!
Nursery Director
Born and raised here in Anderson, it was never my intention to work in a church or even with children after growing up the oldest of 7 siblings! However, as I planned my life attending Anderson University for nursing, God laughed! I graduated with a bachelor’s in psychology, fully intending to finish my nursing degree elsewhere when I fell in love with a job working as a behavioral clinician for preschool and elementary age children.
In 2019 my grandma told me about a part time job in the AFC nursery. I immediately applied and was hired! Fast-forward a few years and I am still here at AFC now the full time nursery director and loving it!
I have a BIG family so when I’m not working, I love hanging out with my younger siblings and cousins! I love taking trips to visit family in Texas and Mexico as often as I can and escape some of our cold Indiana winters! I love being outside all summer long kayaking and swimming as often as I can and taking my dog Marco on walks!
It’s truly amazing to think about where I thought my life would take me, and to see where God has taken me instead. I look forward to continuing my journey here with AFC and I am so excited to see what God has planned for me next!
Jeremiah 29:11