Pastor Jeremiah Krieger
Senior Pastor
Jeremiah began his journey at Liberty University, where he pursued a nursing degree
with the goal of using it to open doors for mission work in a variety of international settings. He earned his B.S. in Nursing in 2003, followed by a Master of Arts in Religion in 2006. Sensing a call to pastoral ministry, Jeremiah went on to attend Dallas Theological Seminary, graduating with a Th.M. in 2012.
He served as a Senior Pastor in Colorado for five years, where he faithfully led and shepherded the church community.
Jeremiah has been married to his wife, Samantha, for 19 years. The two met while in seminary and have served side-by-side in ministry ever since. Samantha is a part-time writer and photographer, and she also serves as a substitute teacher at Mesilla Valley Christian School. Together, they are raising four children: John (16), Rebekah (14), Hannah (12), and Will (11).
In his spare time, Jeremiah enjoys a good cup of espresso, spending time with his St. Bernard, Chance, and hiking in the great outdoors.
Jeremiah's objective is:
"To honor God and love people by sharing my spiritual gifting, knowledge, and pastoral skillset within the local church and greater cultural context for the purpose of connecting people to the life-changing love of Jesus Christ and calling believers toward deeper devotion to the Gospel mission."
with the goal of using it to open doors for mission work in a variety of international settings. He earned his B.S. in Nursing in 2003, followed by a Master of Arts in Religion in 2006. Sensing a call to pastoral ministry, Jeremiah went on to attend Dallas Theological Seminary, graduating with a Th.M. in 2012.
He served as a Senior Pastor in Colorado for five years, where he faithfully led and shepherded the church community.
Jeremiah has been married to his wife, Samantha, for 19 years. The two met while in seminary and have served side-by-side in ministry ever since. Samantha is a part-time writer and photographer, and she also serves as a substitute teacher at Mesilla Valley Christian School. Together, they are raising four children: John (16), Rebekah (14), Hannah (12), and Will (11).
In his spare time, Jeremiah enjoys a good cup of espresso, spending time with his St. Bernard, Chance, and hiking in the great outdoors.
Jeremiah's objective is:
"To honor God and love people by sharing my spiritual gifting, knowledge, and pastoral skillset within the local church and greater cultural context for the purpose of connecting people to the life-changing love of Jesus Christ and calling believers toward deeper devotion to the Gospel mission."
Michael Dean
Worship Leader
Michael has served as a lay pastor for over 20 years before coming to First Evangelical Free. During that time he worked in Texas, Oklahoma, and New Mexico, mainly in United Methodist and Disciple of Christ congregations. He was responsible for a variety of ministry teams including worship, music, technology, youth, hospitality, and pastoral care.
Additionally, he taught for 17 years in public education as a choir director. He began that experience in Roswell, New Mexico, at Goddard High School before moving to Texas where he worked in several different south and east Texas schools and at Stephen F. Austin State University.
Michael has been married to Kim for almost 40 years and they have seven children, Leighanne, Jordan and Will, Nate and Shelby, Olivia, and Philip, adding two from marriage. He enjoys playing music, hiking, working outside, walking every day with his wife, Kim, and making and eating anything with flour.
Michael likes to say, “I thank God every day for the gift of repentance that makes us able to align with the God of creation”, and he "desires to know God and make Him known through the person of Jesus."
Additionally, he taught for 17 years in public education as a choir director. He began that experience in Roswell, New Mexico, at Goddard High School before moving to Texas where he worked in several different south and east Texas schools and at Stephen F. Austin State University.
Michael has been married to Kim for almost 40 years and they have seven children, Leighanne, Jordan and Will, Nate and Shelby, Olivia, and Philip, adding two from marriage. He enjoys playing music, hiking, working outside, walking every day with his wife, Kim, and making and eating anything with flour.
Michael likes to say, “I thank God every day for the gift of repentance that makes us able to align with the God of creation”, and he "desires to know God and make Him known through the person of Jesus."
Broc Dubois
Youth Ministry Intern
Broc has attended First Evangelical Free Church for most of his life. Broc enjoys both indoor and outdoor activities and is passionate about marine life, especially seals. Broc is a student at New Mexico State University and is heavily involved in Cru, formerly known as Campus Crusade for Christ as a student leader. Currently pursuing a bachelor’s in Linguistics, Broc is interested in exploring different avenues of full-time ministry post-graduation. Broc is passionate about Jesus and connecting people to Him.
Elliot Bergsagel
Elder
Elliot grew up in Malta, Montana, attending a Lutheran Brethren church. Enthusiastic about music and science, Elliot studied at Seattle Pacific University where he became involved with the Navigator ministry and met Carolyn, who played clarinet alongside him in college band. After his graduation, they married and moved to Las Cruces, NM where he completed graduate studies at NMSU, worked as an Electronics Engineer at White
Sands Missile Range, earned a PhD, retired from the U. S. Army Research Laboratory in 2014, and since has consulted part-time for NMSU’s Physical Science Laboratory.
Since 1971, Elliot has been active at First Evangelical Free Church, serving as a Sunday school teacher, youth leader, deacon, worship leader, treasurer, trustee, Christian Education director, choir director, and elder. He has also served on the boards of Las Cruces Gospel Rescue Mission and Mesilla Valley Christian School.
Elliot and Carolyn have been married for 57 years. They are blessed with three children—Jonathan, Sonja, and Andre—and twelve grandchildren. Elliot enjoys singing and playing music, especially on guitar, and occasionally on mandolin, clarinet, and piano. He is also an avid reader, an electronic hobbyist, and has a keen interest in
amateur radio (W5TLF).
Some of Elliot’s favorite scripture passages are Psalm 139, Romans 8, and Philippians 2. 1 Samuel 12:24 has guided him throughout his life: “Only fear the LORD and serve him faithfully with all your heart. For consider what great things he has done for you.” He also loves Psalm 34:3: “Oh, magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together.”
Sands Missile Range, earned a PhD, retired from the U. S. Army Research Laboratory in 2014, and since has consulted part-time for NMSU’s Physical Science Laboratory.
Since 1971, Elliot has been active at First Evangelical Free Church, serving as a Sunday school teacher, youth leader, deacon, worship leader, treasurer, trustee, Christian Education director, choir director, and elder. He has also served on the boards of Las Cruces Gospel Rescue Mission and Mesilla Valley Christian School.
Elliot and Carolyn have been married for 57 years. They are blessed with three children—Jonathan, Sonja, and Andre—and twelve grandchildren. Elliot enjoys singing and playing music, especially on guitar, and occasionally on mandolin, clarinet, and piano. He is also an avid reader, an electronic hobbyist, and has a keen interest in
amateur radio (W5TLF).
Some of Elliot’s favorite scripture passages are Psalm 139, Romans 8, and Philippians 2. 1 Samuel 12:24 has guided him throughout his life: “Only fear the LORD and serve him faithfully with all your heart. For consider what great things he has done for you.” He also loves Psalm 34:3: “Oh, magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together.”
Derrick Howard
Elder
Derrick grew up in Alaska and attended the Port Chilkoot Bible Church as a child, an outreach of the Gospel Missionary Union. He accepted Jesus as his Savior at an early age and began his journey of discovery, personal change, and eternal hope. While
attending Purdue University for engineering, Derrick decided to pursue ministry work
instead. He began the adventure with Lifeline Ministries, working with addicts, local
street kids, and others who needed intensive one-on-one discipleship. Later, he
transitioned into a “tent-making” career as a land surveyor while he continued to work
with at-risk kids and a variety of other ministries. Keenly aware of his own shortcomings and God’s grace, Derrick wants to be transformed into who God created him to be. He hopes to live as a branch on God’s vine and a clay vessel in His hands.
attending Purdue University for engineering, Derrick decided to pursue ministry work
instead. He began the adventure with Lifeline Ministries, working with addicts, local
street kids, and others who needed intensive one-on-one discipleship. Later, he
transitioned into a “tent-making” career as a land surveyor while he continued to work
with at-risk kids and a variety of other ministries. Keenly aware of his own shortcomings and God’s grace, Derrick wants to be transformed into who God created him to be. He hopes to live as a branch on God’s vine and a clay vessel in His hands.