ELDER NOMINEES 2025
ELDER AFFIRMATIONS—
After asking for Elder nominations and having our nominating committee review those names, we have Elder nominees and a nominee for Elder Board Chairman and Elder Board Vice Chairman. May 4 is Elder Sunday where we will be asking church members to affirm these nominated elders in our Sunday services. Each nominee is up for a two-year term, unless otherwise specified.
If you have questions or concerns about any of the Elder nominees, you may email the Elders.
Make sure you get to know our new elder candidates before May 4 by reading a short bio of each of them below. Each Elder who is up for affirmation or reaffirmation was asked to respond to the following four prompts:
- In a few sentences, tell us about your background, faith story and family.
- In what areas of ministry have you been involved here or outside of the church?
- What do you feel you can bring to the Elder Board?
- What excites you about the future of Fullerton Free?
Dennis Bredow, Elder at Large (1-year term)
I was raised in a good church and was given a really strong foundation of biblical scholarship and Christian behavior. My parents were new Christians and their faith journey was lived out in front of us. It wasn't until my teenage years that I learned that following Jesus was different than following the rules, and it was in my late teens and twenties I began to experience genuine spiritual transformation in my life.
My wife Krista and I have been married for 27 years and have three kids. Mel (21), who will graduate from Westmont College this spring. Brooke (18) who graduates from Fullerton High School in May. And our son Luke (15), who is completing his freshman year at Fullerton High School.
My wife and I have sought to invest in a number of areas since joining Fullerton Free eight years ago. We have served with young adults, been part of the parent ministry team for both KC and HSM, and have had the chance to speak in PEP talks from time to time. We arrived at Fullerton after serving for a beautiful and difficult season as the pastor of a local church, and our primary focus since arriving has been to come alongside and encourage the ministry staff.
What I can bring to the elder board is a difficult question to answer. All I can say is that I have a deep love for Jesus, a passion for His word, and I want to see the people in both our church community and neighborhood experience Him in a real and transformative way. In addition, I would say that having personally experienced the unique pressures and difficulties of vocational ministry, I want to see that the church staff and their families thrive.
I love the focus on being ambassadors to a world that doesn't yet know Jesus and the constant encouragement to view the world through Kingdom eyes. The idea that through our collective pursuit of this goal we might witness the transformation of our own hearts, our church, and our neighbors is a thrilling one.
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Devin Dailey, Elder at Large (1-year term)
I have been married to my wife, Michelle, for twenty-two years. We have two sons, Grayson, aged twenty, and Rivers, aged eighteen. Grayson is currently a student at Point Loma Nazarene University, and Rivers is a senior at Fullerton Union High School.
My professional background encompasses diverse experience, having held positions as a creative director and graphic designer across various companies. I currently operate my own design studio and recently concluded my tenure teaching graphic design courses as an adjunct instructor at California State University, Long Beach, and Biola University.
My introduction to Christianity occurred during middle school, and I committed myself to Jesus Christ at Angel Stadium during a Harvest Crusade event. It was during my collegiate studies, specifically at Point Loma Nazarene University, that I gained a deeper comprehension of what constitutes being a follower of Christ. While there, I attended Miles McPherson’s church and rededicated my life to Jesus Christ. This period marked a realization of my own limited understanding, necessitating a reliance on Jesus Christ alone.
Michelle and I have actively participated in parent leadership teams for both Junior High and High School Ministries. We have both served in various capacities within the creative arts ministry. Through collaborative effort within our circle, we conceptualized, initiated, and established an Adult Fellowship named The Sandbar, which recently celebrated its first anniversary in November.
Beyond church activities, I was engaged in coaching my two sons at Golden Hill Little League from Tee Ball through Juniors and served on the board for two years. Michelle and I were also active with the Boy Scouts of America, leading several outings with our son Rivers.
I present myself with authenticity, valuing honesty and opportunities for transparency regarding my shortcomings, while fostering empathy for others. I seek to connect with individuals, engage in active listening, and provide encouragement to the best of my abilities. Furthermore, I hope my sense of humor can elicit genuine laughter and smiles in others.
While the future trajectory of Fullerton Free remains unknown, I hold firm conviction that we are diligently seeking divine guidance. I am also eager to witness the continued work of the Holy Spirit within our church and the local community.
Joel Encarnacion, Elder Chairman
My wife Erica and I both grew up in this church from childhood as our kids are doing now, so we’ve seen God’s faithfulness to our families and this body of believers over literal generations. Erica and I were both involved in youth ministry for many years as she led a core group and I led worship in HSM. We’ve also been involved in ministries like college, worship, short-term mission trips to Barbados/China/Ecuador, Love for Life, and MOPS ministries.
It is equally humbling and exciting to be nominated as the Elder Chairman for 2025 – 2027. My family and I were welcomed into this church when we were new immigrants into the United States and throughout my whole life, people from Fullerton Free have been the hands, feet, and words of Jesus to us over the decades and continue to be today. When we were in need, you fed and clothed us. When we were lost or confused, you comforted and guided us. When we were in despair, you rallied around us courageously to demonstrate the life-saving/altering power of prayer. I have seen God work miracles in our life and in this church that we call home, and if there’s one thing that God has made very clear it’s that He doesn’t waste any experiences on us – He works all things for our good and His glory.
Would you please keep me, my family, and the elders in your prayers? Please pray that the elders would be equally humble and courageous in discerning God’s will for our church and that as a congregation, we would have a church-defining desire to draw near to Jesus which then brings us nearer to each other as well. Pray that we don’t lose sight of what it means to be like Christ to those in need around us (and “need” takes many different forms). Let’s be devoted to the Word and deepening our understanding of it while being in a selfless community like the early church of Acts 2:42-47. May we repent of our human tendency to confine God to what’s convenient/advantageous for us as individuals and instead be His ambassadors of justice, freedom, and peace by serving others without hesitation as shown in Isaiah 58:1-12. May we pursue Jesus with courage and excellence, setting our sights on Him amidst a culture that would have our attention drawn to anything else.
Josh Freeman, Elder at Large
I have been married to my beautiful and brilliant wife, Heather, for 29 years this coming June. We have two wonderful children, Isaac and Ella, who both currently attend Biola University. My greatest passions are my family and community, and I love every moment spent with them. Heather and I both appreciate a good meal—whether it’s a foodie dining experience or something simple from the dollar menu. Some of my favorite moments are gathered around our table with the many people in our lives. If I’m not there, you might find me exploring an off-roading trail. I also love being creative in just about anything I do, although the results may vary.
Professionally, I have worked in the corporate world for 35 years and currently serve in Oracle’s cloud software sales group.
I was raised in a Christian home. When I was five years old, my family hosted a Five-Day Club at our house. On the final day, the Gospel was shared, and I vividly remember standing on the side of our house with a few other kids, watching their feet as we prayed together. That day, I accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior.
I had a foundational understanding of what it meant to follow Christ and continued to live as a Christian. At age 11, I was baptized. However, it wasn’t until I was 22 that I fully embraced accountability and ownership of my faith. That was when I truly began to pursue Jesus Christ in an authentic and intentional way.
For multiple decades, I have been actively involved in various ministries at Fullerton Free. These include adult fellowship leadership, guest guides, hosting, serving on multiple ministry leadership teams, and the elder board. Most recently, I had the privilege of being a Night to Shine buddy and loved every minute.
I am most excited to see how God will lead Fullerton Free in this next season—through the ministries we serve and the relationships we build. It’s truly thrilling to witness how God moves among us—ordinary people who are simply willing to follow His lead.
As I serve on the elder board, there are several key contributions I hope to bring:
- A deep desire for dependence on the Holy Spirit’s guidance through sound biblical interpretation, prayer, and wise counsel.
- An awareness that unresolved personal wounds can hinder sensitivity to the Spirit’s leading.
- The courage to tackle difficult challenges and view obstacles as opportunities for growth.
- Decades of corporate experience in communication, leadership, and change management, which can be valuable in a church context.
- Most importantly, a shepherd’s heart.
James Hampson, Elder at Large
I have been blessed to grow up in a Christian home and to grow and mature under the teaching and ministry of Fullerton Free for all my life. At an early age, I accepted Jesus as my Savior, but I really grew into my faith after high school. One day I just decided to commit to reading God's Word and I never looked back. Throughout the following years, He has been a Good Shepherd, guiding me in places of abundance and dark valleys. Each step of the way, He has deepened my faith and grown my love for and knowledge of Him. The Lord has also blessed me with a wonderful wife, Chrissy, of over 21 years and four children, Isaac (18), Adela (16), Elijah (14), and Annika (12) who have all been blessed by the ministry of Fullerton Free.
I have been blessed to take part in several ministries in the church over the years. In my twenties I served as a missionary from Poland for over two years. Upon return, I led some short term missions teams to both Hungary and Rwanda/Congo. I also served on the Missions board/committee. Additionally, I regularly teach in Bible studies and Sunday schools at the church. Outside the church, I serve as an Exegetical Advisor to a Bible Translation. Also, I have been traveling overseas to work with Christian refugees.
I love how our Good Shepherd uses our life experiences and gifts for his glory and kingdom movement! He has led me through wonderful Bible and ministry training in Bible school in Sweden, missionary training, and seminary training at Talbot School of Theology. Also, He has led me to leadership at Biola University. All of these paths have helped to form me into the person I am today. Through all this, he has given me a vision to honor the journeys of others and to seek to empower them to play their special role in God's Kingdom movement. I believe this is part of leadership and I am happy to express this in leadership on the elder board.
I believe God is doing a special work at Fullerton Free. We are living out our legacy and honoring what God has done, while looking to what our future impact will be. I love our engagement with God's word; from the preaching in the main service to the teaching in small groups and Sunday schools. I love the creativity, the care for others, and the passion shown for our community and the world. God is a good Shepherd and I am excited to see us impact the next generation for His kingdom movement.
Mel Howell, Elder at Large
I came to Jesus through the loving teaching of Vacation Bible School teachers and discipling from a Christian family across the street. For as long as I can remember, even as a little kid, I wanted to be a pastor. As a Biola College senior I started attending and serving in our church which in time led to my invitation to serve as the first Pastor to Children. Over 39 years I had the privilege of serving in that role as well as Pastor to Adults, then Missions Pastor and finally Senior Associate Pastor. In 2011 the church continued to support me as a missionary working alongside other missionaries and local pastors in Southeast Asia with ReachGlobal, the overseas missionary arm of the EFCA. I’m currently eight years full-time and six years in as a staff volunteer in that role. Glenda and I were married 52 years ago in our church and our four kids all had the blessing of growing up here. Glenda served as a schoolteacher for many years at Rolling Hills school just up the street and now loves being grandma to our 11 grands ranging in age from 4-22. She also teaches Sunday school with elementary kids and helps with Women’s Ministries and has a big heart for people around the world. We both serve as leaders in All Ages and Stages Fellowship, I’m on the Missions Leadership Team and you might catch me one day at the front desk as a substitute receptionist.
As a pastor I loved working together with different members of the elder board. They were so encouraging, wise and prayerful and I hope to be able to replicate that with our current staff. I’ve been a leader but also a learner of the church for 54 years and have been the recipient of so much love and grace. With the Lord’s help, I will do my best to pass those qualities on in this new “senior” season of my life.
Craig Weinreich, Elder Board Vice Chairman (1-year term)
I grew up in the Midwest on a farm outside of Chicago before moving to Fullerton in 1987. My family was Lutheran until I was in high school when we began attending Eastside Christian Church where I gave my life to Christ during my sophomore year of high school. I met my wife, Nicole, at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo where we were both heavily involved with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship. We currently live in Fullerton with our two sons, Luke (20) and Liam (18).
After college, I was on volunteer staff with InterVarsity before we moved back to Fullerton. At Fullerton Free, I have served as a parking lot attendant and usher. We were also part of the Bound By Grace adult fellowship until our boys moved into junior high school, where Nicole and I served on the parent ministry team. I also serve in Sports Ministries on Monday nights as a captain and help organize half-time devotions for the other captains to use in the men's basketball league. Most recently, we joined the Sandbar adult fellowship.
Working as a high school administrator for the past 12 years has helped me become more familiar with the different facets of being in leadership and I know that God has been at work to grow me further in these areas as a part of the elder board. Also, confidence that God's hand is at work with Fullerton Free for His purposes in our community that will ultimately bring Him glory.
Fullerton Free holds a special place here in north Orange County. We continue to have a positive impact on our surrounding communities in so many different ways. Most recently, I see God using our church to be His ambassadors of the truth of who Jesus is and how He wants us to live our lives to reflect who He is and project how much He loves everyone around us. I am excited about how much of an opportunity we currently have to positively impact those we come in contact with each day for His Kingdom despite the uncertainties of life around us. It has been amazing to see so many new faces and young families at church over the past few months. I am excited to see how God will continue to use our congregation in the lives of the people we each come in contact with on a daily basis.