OUR PASTORS & STAFF

LEAD PASTOR | ELDER

CASEY CLEVELAND

The Avenue Church is planted in 2010…and I grow increasingly aware of my desperate need for Jesus…while preaching a gospel I love but struggle to believe in the everyday occurrences of life…and somehow God keeps allowing me to fall more in love with him in the midst of anxiousness, selfishness, and weakness…and through this I am thankful, that my greatest delight has become the person of God …and so the story, rescue, and renewal continues…And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” 

Rev 21:5a

EXECUTIVE PASTOR | ELDER

MITCH THOMPSON

Through the pain of addiction and alcoholism I found Jesus and The Avenue Church.  The Lord has and continues to transform and redeem my life through this body of believers.   I have met and married my wife, had my son baptized, and now get to shepherd here.  I am forever endeared to this church and look forward to helping bring more and more radical gospel renewal to our church, homes, and cities!

YOUTH PASTOR

SAM POWERS

My wife Clara and I got married in January of 2016, and we are loving the married life! We both grew up in Merritt Island, Florida. I came to faith under the teaching of my Student Pastor, and I remember God using him and other leaders to begin to draw me to ministry. Clara and I both attended Palm Beach Atlantic University, and after college, I began working at Spanish River Church and Christian School. Spanish River was so good to us! I loved my time in student ministry there, and eventually, God called us to Delray. Clara and I are very thankful for where God has placed us. Getting to serve in the student ministry is a ton of fun, and having the opportunity to speak the gospel into student’s lives is an incredible privilege.

FAMILY LIFE PASTOR

JERRY HABLITZEL

I love my job. I love my life. I love my wife. I love Jesus. Jesus has been working on me for over 50 years. I was shy, socially inept, scared, anxious and internally in pain that I didn't understand. My brokenness propelled me on a life-long journey to find wholeness and healing. I value mental, emotional, spiritual and relational wellness and desire that others come to know Jesus in the same way He is setting me free. My wife Liz and I are celebrating 41 years of marriage. Together we have two young adult children, a daughter-in-law and a grand-daughter.