First Free Church has a team of pastors and staff devoted to declaring and demonstrating God's power to make healthy disciples of Jesus Christ.
Our Pastors
Kevin Labby
Lead Pastor | Email
Before serving at First Free, Kevin served as the lead pastor of congregations in the Orlando and Pittsburgh areas. Kevin enjoys time with his family, reading, Pittsburgh sports, and cultural events. He has a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Grove City College, a Masters of Divinity from Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary, and a Master of Science in Organizational Leadership from Geneva College. He also completed doctoral coursework through Reformed Theological Seminary.
Kirk Albrecht
Pastor of Discipleship | Email
Kirk Albrecht is our Pastor of Discipleship, and also directs Global Ministry. He has been on staff since 2000. Kirk has a Bachelor of Science in journalism from Syracuse University and a Master of Divinity from Trinity International University. Kirk and his family lived overseas for 10 years, and he has been to 19 different countries. He was a seminary professor for three years and has led cross-cultural ministry trips in Peru, Thailand, Senegal, Belgium, England, Cyprus, Papua New Guinea, Haiti, and the Middle East. He has written for more than two dozen publications. He is married to Sarah and is father to three sons Joshua (married to Shea), Nathan, and Zachary, and two grandsons. There is nothing he likes more than a good bowl of hummus and a plate of grape leaves. When he’s not at church you can find him reading, exercising, watching soccer, or strumming his guitar or mandolin.
Alex Ielase
Pastor of Students and Young Adults | Email
Alex came to First Free in June of 2017. He is from Pittsburgh and has been in ministry since 2001. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences from Robert Morris University and a Master’s of Divinity from Trinity School for Ministry. He is married to Jennifer and they have four children. Alex enjoys partnering with a mission in Uganda and equipping students and young adults for service at home and away. Alex enjoys time with the family, eating food, sports, fishing, and just joking around!
Our Staff
Nick Barilla
Worship and Technical Arts Leader | Email
Nick loves Christ, the Church and our communities. He grew up in Pittsburgh, PA graduating from Allderdice High School in2010. In 2014, he received his Bachelor’s Degree from California University of Pennsylvania in CommunicationStudies and Commercial Music Technology. Nick’s ministry career began as a worship team member at Orchard Hill Church in Wexford, PA in 2012. In 2017, he began serving Part-Time ministry as a Worship Leader at Source Church in West Mifflin, PA. Since then, he has served as a Worship Leader at: Pathway Church, Unity Community Church, and most recently Bethel Presbyterian Church. Engaged to his fiancé, Liz, Nick has enjoyed a successful music career performing all over the country at colleges, concert venues, and other events while recording and performing his original music in front of well-known national acts. In his free time, he likes to read books, write and record music, play the drums, watch Pittsburgh sports, and hangout with his friends and family.
Joe Squires
Business Manager | Email
Joe is the Business Manager and his main responsibility is handling the financial record-keeping and reporting for First Free. He has been serving on staff since April 2016. Prior to his employment at the church, Joe worked for six years at PNC Bank where he performed various accounting functions in the Technology and Operations Department. He completed collegiate studies at the University of Pittsburgh and graduated in December 2006 with a BA in Economics and Business Administration. Joe is married to Julie and has a daughter named Chloe. He thoroughly enjoys spending time with his wife and daughter, food, sports, music and hiking (especially the Laurel Highlands and Smoky Mountains).
Jennifer Ielase
Lead Pastor's Assistant | Email
Jennifer serves alongside Pastor Kevin, helping to welcome guests to First Free and communicate with our church family and community online, in print and in person. Whether on a Sunday morning or through weekly administrative tasks, Jennifer supports the work and ministry of Pastor Kevin and First Free Church.
Bob Squires
Maintenance
Bob joined our staff in April 2022, and he is responsible for the maintenance of the building and grounds. Prior to joining the church staff, he worked as a mail carrier for the US Postal Service for 33 years. Bob is also a WPIAL basketball official, and in his free time he enjoys spending time with his family, good food, sports, and traveling with his wife Arlene.
Debbie Neimann
Student Ministry Assistant | Email
Debbie serves alongside Pastor Alex Ielase, helping to lead students while offering overall administrative and supportive assistance for our student ministry. Whether for weekly ministry meetings, special events, annual outreaches in McKeesport and Ocean City, MD, Debbie helps bring our student ministry to life.
Beth Jewel
Children's Ministry Assistant | Email
Beth offers administrative and supportive assistance to our ministry to children and their families. Whether for Sunday morning programming, our midweek Awana ministry, annual events like Summer Blast and Summer Pop, or special events, Beth works with our leaders and staff to make First Free a special and safe place for children to become healthy followers of Jesus.
Cheryl Reeger
Front Office Assistant | Email
Cheryl is the friendly and professional presence in our front office. A part of the First Free Church family for years, Cheryl knows the faces and places of First Free better than most. She manages her long list of responsibilities with kind-hearted efficiency, keeping our ministry running smoothly and its members, friends, and staff well connected.