Leadership Team
Tony Festa – President
Tony has been serving as a short term missionary in Ecuador since 2009. He is a former Sergeant in the Marine Corps, and he is trained in Continuing Witness Training (CWT), Evangelism Explosion (EE), The Way of the Master, FAITH Evangelism, and he also attended IMB Missions College in VA. God has used his gift in evangelism to impact many lives for the kingdom, locally and internationally.
Gabriel and Sharlene Tew – Vice President & Secretary
He has been a church planter, pastor, healthcare administrator, and is currently the Vice President and Executive Director of Christian Recovery Houses. Gabriel and his wife Sharlene, pictured here together, have six children, all grown and each one living in a separate state. So their favorite pastime is visiting their children all over the country.
Sharlene is the Broker in Charge of G. Wilson Realty; years of serving and leading church and parachurch ministries.
Janeth Howard – Treasurer
CPA and Senior Financial Manager, GE Hitachi Nuclear. Born and raised in Colombia South America, years serving in ministry.
Ben Bahr – Member at Large – Director of Discipleship
Ben became a Christian in 2016, serves in his local church and has gone on short term mission trips to Ecuador in 2022 and 2023. He has a heart for ministry and for teaching God’s Word. He is an active duty U.S. Marine Instructor. Ben and his wife Nicole have two sons.
Courtney Lewis – Member at Large – Director of Social Media
Courtney loves the Lord and has spent most of her life walking with Him. On this journey she has been able to explore teaching, business management, and communications living in NC, AZ, SC and OK. She has been blessed to do several local mission trips as well as go to Ecuador and Scotland for missions as well. Her heart is to help people to have a real and lasting relationship with God and is excited to work with Raise and Release to achieve that mission.
Willy Pascua – Member at Large
Willy’s life transformed in 2021 with his salvation, igniting a fervent passion for God. Actively involved in his local church, he has since dedicated himself to various ministries. His commitment to spreading the Gospel led him to a mission trip to Ecuador in 2023, deepening his dedication to Christian service. Willy’s heart for ministry is evident in his eagerness to share God’s Word and support other Christian men in their faith journeys, aspiring to grow as a spiritual leader. Additionally, he embraces the call to evangelize, seeing his mission as “fishing for men.” Integral to his spiritual life is his role as a devoted husband and father, where he views his family responsibilities not as separate but as a central part of his spiritual journey, embodying and extending his faith in his daily life.
