Pastor Pat O'Connell After growing up in northern New York and graduating from colleges in Indiana and Ohio with a cursory understanding of God, Pat "took off to find himself" in Alaska, only to be introduced to the seasonal culture of park service, forest service, ski area employment, and the like. Along the way, at every stop, there were always born again followers of Christ who shared the gospel of Jesus with Pat until the summer of 1991 in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, where he accepted Christ as his personal Lord and Savior at Anchor Way Baptist Church. In 1994, Pat found himself attending Southern Baptist Convention/Seminary Extension in Edwards, Colorado while beginning vocational ministry with Fraser Valley Baptist Church. Pat and his wife Collette continued to work in the seasonal/resort culture of Winter Park and the surrounding area until Pat graduated with a diploma in Pastoral Ministries in the spring of 1998 and became the full time Shepherd of FVBC. Today, Collette and Pat,who married in the fall of 1991, live out the Redeemed Life of Jesus Christ in shared life with the people of FVBC and Grand County.
Steve Pisano Steve grew up in South Florida (Coral Springs) and came to know Christ just after graduating High School. He served in youth ministry in South Florida for 12 years at First Presbyterian Church and then moved to Estes Park Colorado to attend the Torchbearer Bible School, Ravencrest Chalet for 2 years, receiving a Certificate of Biblical Studies. From there he took a position at Timberline Lodge Bible School and Retreat Center in Fraser, Colorado teaching both students and guests biblical truths.
In July of 2003 God allowed Steve’s life to go in a different direction when he was injured in a mountain bike accident leaving him a paraplegic and in a wheelchair. His desire is to live the saving life of Christ as found in Galatians 2:20. He continues to be used in people’s lives, as God is his greatest Ability in his disability.