BETHANY PASTORAL TEAM AND STAFF
MICHAEL BRANCH
PASTOR
Pastor was born in Muenster, Texas in 1953. He has been in ministry in the local church since 1969. He graduated from Baptist Bible College in 1977, with a degree in theology. He has been a senior pastor since 1986. His first senior pastorate was at Northwest Baptist Church in Hopkinsville, Kentucky, where he served for seven years. He then went to Calvary Baptist Church in Taylorville, Illinois, where he served for twelve years. In January of 2005, he became the senior pastor of Bethany. Pastor and his wife, Brenda, have been married since 1977. They have two children, Andrea, who lives in Melbourne, and Greg, who lives in Boynton Beach, Florida. Pastor Branch is also the president of Bethany Christian School.
BRENDA BRANCH
LADIES DIRECTOR
Brenda grew up in the Detroit area and became a Christian when she was 7 years old. She and Pastor Branch have been married since 1977. She has a daughter, Andrea, who is living in Melbourne. She also has a son, Greg, who is married, living in Boynton Beach, Florida, and one grandson “Charlie” in heaven and one granddaughter Brooklyn. With over 40 years in ministry she has seen God do BIG things in so many ways. She has seen God provide for her family at a ministry where they could not support their Pastor financially, and has seen God do amazing things in people’s lives, including many ladies Bible studies, where she has mentored women in their spiritual growth. Brenda also launched SHADOW (Shelter Home and Discipling of Women), a ministry that helped homeless, abandoned, or at risk women and their children by providing spiritually based teaching and care in a stable and secure home.
ANDY MORSICATO
NEXT GENERATION PASTOR
Andy grew up in Las Vegas, Nevada and moved to Florida as a teenager. It was at Bethany Ministries that he received Christ as a teenager and received his call to work with students. Andy also met Chelsey during his time as a student at Bethany. They met on a mission trip to Puerto Rico. They were married in October of 2013 and in 2015 added their first little one, Baylen and in 2018 Little Andrew. Andy works with our Bethany Kids and our Bethany Youth. He has a desire to see the lives of the next generation changed by Christ just like his life was changed.
AUSTIN SHEKELL
WORSHIP DIRECTOR
Austin was born in Concord, NC and moved to Melbourne when he was a young child. It was at Bethany Church where Austin received Christ as has Savior, was baptized, and received the call to give his life to the ministry of the gospel of Christ. Austin met his wife Malea at a youth conference and the rest is history. They were married in May of 2021 and have two Labrador retrievers named Haddie and Oakley. Austin works with our Worship team and has a desire for people to experience all of who Jesus is and see people worship that very Jesus, the only name worthy of our worship.
ANDREA KEEFER
FINANCIAL SECRETARY
Andrea Keefer Financial Secretary Andrea was born in Houston, Texas, and became a Christian at the age of 12. She married Ray in Houston in 1984. They moved to Palm Bay in 2007 when Ray retired from the Army after serving for 20 years. They have three sons; Christopher, Stephen, and John. During her time as an Army wife, Andrea completed her Associate's degree in General Studies at Central Texas College while homeschooling her sons and being heavily involved in her boys extra-curricular activities and the church. After moving to Palm Bay, Andrea finished her degree in Information Technology. After their last son finished homeschooling, Andrea headed into the work force and started as a 3rd grade teacher at Bethany Christian School which eventually lead to her current position as the financial secretary for all Bethany ministries.
