Our Team

Lucas Almeida

Pastor

Lucas was born and raised in Brazil where he came to faith at an early age under his father's preaching. As a teenager, Lucas and his family moved to South Florida, where he met his wife Indira (Indy).

He has served churches in South Florida and Kentucky for the past two decades. Lucas has a Bachelor's Degree in Music Performance from Florida International University and a Masters of Divinity from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Lucas has a passion for expository preaching, and he proclaims Christ and the hope of the gospel in every sermon.

Lucas loves his family, people, cooking, and specialty coffee! The Almeidas have two precious children, Boaz and Elise.

Jeffrey Hagans

Associate Pastor

Jeff began leading music in his teens, but it took a message during a revival service he was co-leading at age 19 for him to understand his personal need for God. He began serving at Central in 2003 with the support of his wife, Eldean, and their three children. Adult choir members often say that Jeff should write a book about the many hilarious misadventures he has experienced throughout his life, which they look forward to hearing during rehearsals.

Aside from exercising his musical gifts at Central, Jeff also sings with the Florida Worship Choir and the Florida Singing Men, comprised of ministers of music, choir and worship team members from around the state. He and Eldean have participated in two international tours with the groups, visiting Australia and Indonesia. His seminary classes have allowed him to travel to an archeological dig in Egypt and tour parts of the Holy Land, an experience Jeff has said he will never forget.

Our Support Staff

Kimberlee Van Brunt
Ministry Assistant

​Kimberlee is married to her high school sweetheart, Kevin. They have two young adult children, Jade and Ethan. She has been serving in the office at Central since January 2022.

Jim Petersen
Custodian

Jim was born in Brooklyn, New York, and prayed asking Jesus to forgive his sins in 1973. Four years later he married Lorraine. They have two children, John and Donna, and five grandchildren, Alayna, Nathan, Kyra, Kamryn, and Zoey. Jim has been serving as the custodian since February 2024.

Ken Gorey
Financial Secretary

Ken was born in upstate New York and married his high school sweetheart when he moved to Florida. He came to understand his deep need for a Savior as his children, Brianna and Trenton, came into this world. Ken has served as our Financial Secretary since December 2021.