Rev. Peter Constantian – “Pastor Pete” directs programs and leads worship at Long’s United Methodist Church. He is passionate about rural community life and seeks ways to connect neighbors for mutual aid and support. Pastor Pete served Long’s and Cruso UMCs from 2019-2023. After a season of rest and renewal, Peter served as Bereavement Coordinator and Hospice Chaplain for Haywood Hospice & Palliative Care. During his time with Haywood Hospice, Pastor Pete convened the Haywood End-of-Life Coalition, which lead to the formation of Heartfelt Haywood, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with the vision to create “a community where no one dies alone, no one grieves alone, and caregivers are supported and valued.” His work as Executive Director of Heartfelt Haywood is ongoing.

Pastor Pete returned to serve Long’s UMC in July 2025. He hopes to lead the small congregation towards creative ways of using building and grounds spaces to serve the surrounding community. He graduated from Duke Divinity School in May 2019 with a Masters of Divinity. His previous career was in international development, agriculture, and public health. He served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Ecuador and worked as a Program Officer and Data Curator for John Snow, Inc. (JSI), supporting public health projects in Uganda and Nigeria. His development work taught him the important role religious leaders and congregations play in uplifting their community in all sectors. The Holy Spirit moved him to consider how he might be well suited to help address some of the social evils at work in American society as a pastor of a rural church rather than in rural communities abroad. He hopes his sermons convey both a deep love for people and a deep longing for a world where all are seen, all are welcome, all are loved, and all are fed.

Pastor Pete lives with his spouse Em Dobberstein in the church parsonage. Together they are creating an intentional living community with young people who’s work relates to community health, end-of-life care, dance, and agrarianism. He bakes sourdough weekly and enjoys endurance sports like hiking, running, and cycling.