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A place to seek and enter the Kingdom of God
Living Word Church has been committed to being God’s hand extended to the Syracuse community since 1972.
Home / About
A place to seek and enter the Kingdom of God
Living Word Church has been committed to being God’s hand extended to the Syracuse community since 1972.
At Living Word, we believe in
We believe that the Bible is the Word of God, written by men who were divinely inspired. In its original manuscripts it is infallible and complete. The Bible contains everlasting Good News that is as relevant today as the day it was written. The Bible tells of the Kingdom of God and how to enter. Centrally, it contains the accurate historical record of the life, death, and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ.
We believe that sin, whether much or little, separates people from God and His kingdom. No one is justified before God by good deeds because any sin whatsoever renders us guilty before the Holy God. Even though we have all sinned, God, in His love for us, offers the death of His own Son Jesus Christ to satisfy the penalty against us. In other words, Jesus’ death saves us from a guilty verdict before God. Salvation comes only to those who believe in Jesus Christ, turn away from their sinful ways, and follow Christ for the rest of their lives. We believe that God will reward those who accept salvation with eternal life in heaven, and He will punish those who do not turn from their sins with eternal torment in hell.
We believe that the Holy Spirit is the third part of the Trinity. Since the Day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit has been the agent of God on earth, conveying to the believer the promises of Christ. The Holy Spirit empowers a believer to be saved and live free from the control of sin. The baptism of the Holy Spirit is a second act of God’s grace that follows salvation. The baptism in the Holy Spirit will enable the recipient to speak in the gift of tongues of spiritual communion with God. The Holy Spirit may also grant any of the other eight gifts of the Holy Spirit.
We believe that obedience to the commands of Jesus is bundled with faith and grace as the way of salvation. Obedience to Jesus is the infallible validation that someone has received the salvation of God. An obedient believer allows Jesus Christ’s authority to direct him or her, rather than acting on his or her own ideas and desires. Obedience often involves forfeiting something in this life for the promise of a greater reward in heaven.
We believe that baptism in water should be one of a believer’s early acts of obedience to Jesus. It is a personal decision for every Christian and a public declaration of their commitment to Jesus Christ. Baptism is a symbol of washing away the old life and entering, clean and pure, into a new life. We often perform baptisms as a complete immersion, in a baptismal built into the front of our meeting hall.
We believe in volunteerism as a Christian duty. Most of our members volunteer in the church ministries and projects in some way. Volunteer work creates valuable opportunities for fellowship, growth, and it helps to create a sense of ownership. A valuable by-product of our volunteerism is that our church has a relatively small paid staff.
At Living Word, we believe in...
THE BIBLE
We believe that the Bible is the Word of God, written by men who were divinely inspired. In its original manuscripts it is infallible and complete. The Bible contains everlasting Good News that is as relevant today as the day it was written. The Bible tells of the Kingdom of God and how to enter. Centrally, it contains the accurate historical record of the life, death, and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ.
SALVATION
We believe that sin, whether much or little, separates people from God and His kingdom. No one is justified before God by good deeds because any sin whatsoever renders us guilty before the Holy God. Even though we have all sinned, God, in His love for us, offers the death of His own Son Jesus Christ to satisfy the penalty against us. In other words, Jesus’ death saves us from a guilty verdict before God. Salvation comes only to those who believe in Jesus Christ, turn away from their sinful ways, and follow Christ for the rest of their lives. We believe that God will reward those who accept salvation with eternal life in heaven, and He will punish those who do not turn from their sins with eternal torment in hell.
HOLY SPIRIT
We believe that the Holy Spirit is the third part of the Trinity. Since the Day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit has been the agent of God on earth, conveying to the believer the promises of Christ. The Holy Spirit empowers a believer to be saved and live free from the control of sin. The baptism of the Holy Spirit is a second act of God’s grace that follows salvation. The baptism in the Holy Spirit will enable the recipient to speak in the gift of tongues of spiritual communion with God. The Holy Spirit may also grant any of the other eight gifts of the Holy Spirit.
OBEDIENCE
We believe that obedience to the commands of Jesus is bundled with faith and grace as the way of salvation. Obedience to Jesus is the infallible validation that someone has received the salvation of God. An obedient believer allows Jesus Christ’s authority to direct him or her, rather than acting on his or her own ideas and desires. Obedience often involves forfeiting something in this life for the promise of a greater reward in heaven.
WATER BAPTISM
We believe that baptism in water should be one of a believer’s early acts of obedience to Jesus. It is a personal decision for every Christian and a public declaration of their commitment to Jesus Christ. Baptism is a symbol of washing away the old life and entering, clean and pure, into a new life. We often perform baptisms as a complete immersion, in a baptismal built into the front of our meeting hall.
VOLUNTEERING
Leadership

Bryan Rocine

Ben Connor

Don Cullen

Garry Maderi

Tony Gray
Brother Tony Gray came to faith in Jesus when he was 7 years old and afterward attended a Christian school in Los Angeles. Bro Tony and his wife Janet came to Living Word Church in 1974 while pursuing a Ph.D. in chemistry at Syracuse University. After graduation, he worked for SRC, Inc. for over 35 years, retiring in 2015. Since retiring he has served at Christian Health Service of Syracuse where he oversees the external programs that Christian Health participates in and also serves as an advisor to their board. He additionally teaches the laboratory portion of Living Word Academy’s Regents chemistry and physics classes. Bro. Tony and his wife jointly oversee the church’s adult learning classes, which help immigrants gain more proficiency in English. Finally, he has served as one of the teachers for Living Word Church’s new believer’s class since 1989.
Leadership

Bryan Rocine
Pastor

Ben Connor

Don Cullen

Garry Maderi

Tony Gray
Brother Tony Gray came to faith in Jesus when he was 7 years old and afterward attended a Christian school in Los Angeles. Bro Tony and his wife Janet came to Living Word Church in 1974 while pursuing a Ph.D. in chemistry at Syracuse University. After graduation, he worked for SRC, Inc. for over 35 years, retiring in 2015. Since retiring he has served at Christian Health Service of Syracuse where he oversees the external programs that Christian Health participates in and also serves as an advisor to their board. He additionally teaches the laboratory portion of Living Word Academy’s Regents chemistry and physics classes. Bro. Tony and his wife jointly oversee the church’s adult learning classes, which help immigrants gain more proficiency in English. Finally, he has served as one of the teachers for Living Word Church’s new believer’s class since 1989.
Support Staff

Art Marquis
Music Director

Terry Virag
Church Secretary

Isaiah Rocine
Academy Principal

John Laurin
Music Director

Amelia Weimar
Assistant Music Director

Terry Virag
Church Secretary

Isaiah Rocine
Academy Principal

Tiffany Paddock
Food Services

Ryan Domer
Sunday School Director

James Hester
Transportation Ministry

Janis Bernard
Nursery Director

Scott LaBarge
Facilities Manager

Frank Babiarz
Food Services

Mike & Auddie Mastroleo
Food Pantry Directors

Dan Plewak
Day Camp Director

Andy Hockenbery
Day Camp Director

Rich Carrier
Video Producer

Adam Hockenbery
Communications Director

Ed Knack
Webmaster

Reuben Connor
Webmaster

John Laurin
Music Director

Amelia Weimar
Assistant Music Director

Terry Virag
Church Secretary

Isaiah Rocine
Academy Principal

Tiffany Paddock
Food Services

Ryan Domer
Sunday School Director

James Hester
Transportation Ministry

Janis Bernard
Nursery Director

Scott LaBarge
Facilities Manager

Frank Babiarz
Food Services

Mike & Auddie Mastroleo
Food Pantry Directors

Dan Plewak
Day Camp Director

Andy
Hockenbery
Day Camp Director

Rich Carrier
Video Producer

Adam
Hockenbery
Communications Director

Ed Knack
Webmaster

Reuben Connor
Webmaster




