Pastor Steve Pettit
Senior Pastor
Steve has served as the Senior Pastor of AFN since July of 2023 and has been a pastor on the West Texas District for over a decade. Prior to that, he and his wife Amanda, along with their three kids, Jayden, Stevie, and Molly, served as Missionaries with Church of the Nazarene in El Salvador, Haiti, and Dominica. Each sacrificing in their own ways, they’ve always said they are a ‘Missionary Family’. Today they have two amazing sons in law, Bobby and Camden, and a beautiful Grandson named Ace.
Steve and Amanda are both Ordained Elders in Church of the Nazarene and have been the founders of several Compassionate Ministries, including Rescue Hill, an anti-human trafficking organization headquartered in Arlington. They are both Directors at Rescue Hill and lead an amazing team of world-changers..
An includer by nature, Pastor Steve is passionate about leaving nobody out on the margins or feeling left out and wants everyone he meets to know there’s a God-given purpose and a place for them in this world. Kingdom minded, Presence driven, and Spirit led, are three pillars that Steve strives to live by daily. His prayer is that when you meet him, you’ll feel loved, heard, and like the most important person at the time.
Pastor Al Newton
Connections Pastor
Pastor Al is the Connections Pastor here at AFN. He has been a pastor on the West Texas District for many years. He grew up in Oklahoma but relocated to Texas just as soon as he could! Al is married to Melissa, and they have a growing blended family with the best kids and grandkids around. Alvin has spent many years in both the Navy and Army, and in his spare time enjoys history and sports.
Al and Melissa love visiting with people and hearing their hopes and dreams, as well as watching AFN continue to grow in many ways! Pastor Al is excited to walk with the church as we continue to grow and connect both inside and outside of these church walls.
Pastor Sandra Perez
Youth Pastor
Sandra is the Youth Pastor at AFN and continues to pour herself into our young people. She is also a United States Air Force Reserve Chaplain Candidate. A former advocate and counselor for adult/youth victim and survivors of sexual assault, sex trafficking, and those impacted by intimate and family violence, Sandra has a heart for seeing families experience relational wholeness, through the individual healing and freedom that is only possible through Jesus. Sandra’s mission is to love people through relationship and the Word of God. It is her greatest desire to humbly surrender to the sharpening process of Servant Leadership, and “eagerly expects and hope’s that in no way be ashamed but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in her body, whether by life or death.” Phil 1:20 NIV
Sandra’s passion for individual and relational wholeness is fueled by God’s redemptive grace in her own life. She envisions communities free from relational brokenness and awakened, transformed, and committed for Christ Jesus. She earned her Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy at The King’s University and is obtaining her Master’s degree in Divinity in order to more effectively pursue the calling of walking alongside others towards individual and relational wholeness.
Alessandra Okada
Worship Leader
