About Us
Loving God. Loving People.
Loving People To God.
Our vision at Calvary Gospel Church defines why we are here and what we seek to do in our world and community. Our desire is to not simply exist in our community, but to be a vibrant part of it.
We are a Bible teaching, Spirit-filled church with a heart for New York Mills and a vision for the world. If you are looking to find a home church in the area, planning to visit, or just curious, we hope this site gives you the information you need while providing you with some spiritual nourishment and encouragement.
The Bible
What We BelieveThe Bible
WE BELIEVE the entire Bible is inspired by God, without error and the authority on which we base our faith, conduct and doctrine.
God Himself
What We BelieveGod Himself
WE BELIEVE in one God who exists in three distinct persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. We believe Jesus Christ is the Son of God who came to earth as Savior of the world.
Jesus Christ
What We BelieveJesus Christ
WE BELIEVE Jesus died on the cross and shed His blood for our sins. We believe that salvation is found by placing our faith in what Jesus did for us on the cross. We believe Jesus rose from the dead and is coming again.Water Baptism
What We BelieveWater Baptism
WE BELIEVE water baptism is a symbol of the cleansing power of the blood of Christ. It is a public testimony of an inward experience of our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Communion
What We BelieveCommunion
WE BELIEVE in the regular taking of Communion as an act of remembering what the Lord Jesus did for us on the cross.
Growing Believer
What We BelieveGrowing Believer
WE BELIEVE every believer should be in a growing relationship with Jesus by obeying God’s Word, yielding to the Holy Spirit and by being conformed to the image of Christ.
PASTORS & ELDERS
There are many people who volunteer and serve to help make Calvary Gospel Church a place where people can truly experience Christ’s transforming love.
Pastor Thomas & Debbie Pileggi (Senior Pastor)
Pastor Tom and Debbie have served in ministry together for over 40 years. Tom, an area representative for Elim Fellowship and life coach, is deeply passionate about guiding people to experience God and fostering personal relationships with Jesus. He mentors leaders across various ministries and has ministered in Mexico, Haiti, and inner-city areas, as well as through global media platforms, reaching thousands and facilitating numerous healings.
Debbie, too, has ministered in Mexico and inner-city contexts, serving as a worship leader and leading the Blessed Women’s Ministry. Her heart is in helping people encounter God through worship, facilitating inner healing emotionally, spiritually, and even physically.
Pastor Ben & Juliana Leshkevich (Associate Pastor)
Fueled with a desire to see people equipped with the word of God, Ben and Juliana have made it their mission to teach and live the word of God at Calvary Gospel Church. Both had previously attended a Missionary Bible School located in Jacksonville, FL where they learned to value and pursue a relationship with the Lord. As associate Pastors, Ben and Julianas involve themselves with ministry administration, teaching, prayer ministry and mentoring young adults at Calvary Gospel Church. Through these roles, they desire to see the church matured for every good work that the Lord calls us all into.
Richard & Debbie Graziano (Elders)
Richard and Debbie have been part of Calvary Gospel Church for many years. Through the years they have served in many different capacities, Sunday School teachers, Youth Leaders and are now Men and Ladies Ministry. Richard is currently serving as an Elder of the church. They have been witness to the many changes that God has done over the years at Calvary Gospel.
Bernard & Sharon Evans (Elders)
Bernard Evans, an Elim alumnus since 1959, transitioned from student to staff, managing the Elim Christian Bookstore until 1966. He met his wife, Sharon, at Elim in 1961, marrying in 1964.
Licensed to Minister by Elim Fellowship in 1965 and ordained in 1968, Bernard and Sharon have served in various pastorates across New York, including Newark, Brooklyn, Lima, New York Mills, and Hopewell. Bernard’s extensive service to Elim Fellowship includes roles such as Director of U.S. Ministries, Area Representative, General Secretary, Assistant General Overseer, and President. He’s been a member of the Council of Elders since 1973.
Blessed with four children and fifteen grandchildren, they remain dedicated to ministering to individuals, pastors, and churches in the Region.
Our History
Calvary Gospel Church was founded in 1961 by Saied Adour. It has a deep and rich history! In 2016, Calvary Gospel Church celebrated it’s 55th Anniversary.
How did the vision for the Utica church happen? Pastor Saied Adour recalls these events, “I was pastoring in Meshoppen, PA, just a small town. The Lord gave me a burden for a city – Pittston, PA, and in my mind I began to consider starting a church in that city. In the process, I was asked to come and preach at a Thanksgiving service in the Utica area and as I came to Utica, I found the Lord shifted the burden in my heart from Pittston to Utica, NY. That was in November 1960.
We moved to Clark Mills, NY, my hometown, but we didn’t do anything in starting a church until August 1961 when we secured the use of the church at 1505 Seymour Ave. in Utica. That church was originally an Alliance church, then owned by the Holy Cross Ukrainian Orthodox Church. We rented with the option to buy at $60 a month for two and a half years; and then all that rent money went toward the down payment to buy the building which helped out alot and we bought the property in 1964.
In August 1961 the church started with a Vacation Bible School program and we held our first public church service on Labor Day weekend! Bro. Ed Corley was our first speaker. Working with us as assistant was Jerry Scott and his wife, Gloria. Jerry graduated with me from Elim Bible Institute. He did some preaching, song leading and Gloria worked with Esther in Sunday School. Esther was in charge of Sunday School which was started right away. The Scotts left in 1962. Besides us, we had about six people attending church….
How did the vision for the Utica church happen? Pastor Saied Adour recalls these events, “I was pastoring in Meshoppen, PA, just a small town. The Lord gave me a burden for a city – Pittston, PA, and in my mind I began to consider starting a church in that city. In the process, I was asked to come and preach at a Thanksgiving service in the Utica area and as I came to Utica, I found the Lord shifted the burden in my heart from Pittston to Utica, NY. That was in November 1960.
We moved to Clark Mills, NY, my hometown, but we didn’t do anything in starting a church until August 1961 when we secured the use of the church at 1505 Seymour Ave. in Utica. That church was originally an Alliance church, then owned by the Holy Cross Ukrainian Orthodox Church. We rented with the option to buy at $60 a month for two and a half years; and then all that rent money went toward the down payment to buy the building which helped out alot and we bought the property in 1964.
In August 1961 the church started with a Vacation Bible School program and we held our first public church service on Labor Day weekend! Bro. Ed Corley was our first speaker. Working with us as assistant was Jerry Scott and his wife, Gloria. Jerry graduated with me from Elim Bible Institute. He did some preaching, song leading and Gloria worked with Esther in Sunday School. Esther was in charge of Sunday School which was started right away. The Scotts left in 1962. Besides us, we had about six people attending church….
