Our Team

Say hello to the leadership team of Connect Church

Meet Our Team

We are beyond blessed in serving Centereach and the surrounding areas!

Pastor Hank & Allison Kistler

Hank Kistler is the Lead Pastor of Connect Church. Hank and his wife, Allison, have a heart to reach Long Island with the life-transforming message of the gospel and to connect people to Jesus. They believe in the next generation and value the wisdom and guidance of those who have gone before them. Allison serves as the Children’s Ministry Director, investing in and caring for the next generation of families. Hank and Allison have served in church ministry for over 20 years and have three daughters, Emma, Kayla, and Ava. Hank enjoys watching the Atlanta Braves and UNC Tar Heels, while Allison loves the beach, coffee, and home decorating.


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Pastor Erick & Suzie Quiroz

Erick Quiroz serves as the Executive Pastor at Connect Church, working alongside the Lead Pastor to shepherd the church family, care for leaders, and protect and implement the church's vision while supporting its overall health and direction. While his role includes leadership and coordination, his heart is deeply pastoral, walking with people, strengthening leaders, and helping the church thrive spiritually. Erick and his wife, Suzie, love opening their lives and home to others. They are raising their four children, Destiny, Austin, Scarlett, and Aubrey, and embrace the joyful chaos of family life. Suzie enjoys running, reading, hosting, and faithfully leading their wonderfully busy household.


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Kim Palazzolo

Kim is a Long Island native and one of the original members of Connect Church, where she serves as the church treasurer. She manages the church's finances with care and integrity and has a heart for ensuring everyone who walks through the doors feels at home. Kim finds purpose in the details and is rarely without a smile. She has been married to her husband, Peter, for over 40 years and has two adult daughters, Allison and Courtney, and five granddaughters.


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Rachel Cardoza

As the church administrator, Rachel helps run the day-to-day operations of all areas of the church, keeping everything organized and running smoothly. She supports pastors, staff, and ministry leaders, and often serves as a key point of contact for both the church family and the community. Rachel moved to Long Island in 2012 and has been a faithful part of our team since 2015. She is married to her college sweetheart, Miguel, and has two children, Noah and Victoria.


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Nigel & Allana Cobham

Nigel and Allana Cobham serve as the Worship Directors at Connect Church, having joined the team on 01/01/2026. With a shared passion for creating meaningful worship experiences, they lead the congregation in heartfelt praise and dedication. Their commitment to fostering a spirit of worship and community reflects their love for both music and ministry. Nigel and Allana are raising their three children, Ruth, Caleb, and Jonah.


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Elder Josh Caldwell - ON SABBATICAL

Joshua Caldwell became a member of the Connect family in October of 2020 and joined the Elder board in January of 2024. Building relationships with fellow church members has been a true blessing for him and his family. He finds immense joy in leading Bible studies, where every discussion and interaction draws him deeper into knowing Christ and making Him known. He is married to Monique Caldwell, and they have 5 children: Layla, Alia, Elijah, Naomi, and Samara.


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Elder Bill Hirsch

Bill Hirsch has been an Elder at Connect Church since January 2024. After coming to Christ as a young adult, he developed a deep desire to study theology and apologetics. As a leader at Connect, Bill’s heart is to teach the Bible clearly so others can understand it and trust its truth. He also leads the men’s ministry with a focus on spiritual growth and discipleship. Bill is married to his wife, Gianna, and they have two children, Charlotte and Benjamin.


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Derek Gallo

Derek serves as the Audio and Visual Coordinator at Connect Church, having joined the team at the beginning of 2026. With a passion for excellence, Derek oversees audio, visual, and livestream operations, ensuring everything the church provides is of the highest quality and helps connect people to Jesus. His heart is behind-the-scenes ministry and attention to detail, supporting smooth services and meaningful online engagement.


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Alex Meurer

Alex serves as the Media and Communications Director at Connect Church, using engaging visuals and social media to help connect people to Jesus and to one another. She has been part of the Social Media and Graphics team since 2021 and brings creativity and purpose together in everything she does. With a heart for ministry, Alex strives to point people to Jesus through every platform she oversees.