About Step of Faith

About Pastor Andy

Andy and his wife Marion have been married for 47 years.  They have three married daughters and six grandchildren.

Born and raised a catholic, it was in my teen years in the late 60’s, while involved in drugs and playing in a band, that I was introduced to the Jehovah’s Witnesses.  Marion and I were married in 1972, and the next year we studied with the Jehovah’s Witnesses.  In December of 1974 we became baptized members.  A year later I became a Ministerial Servant (equivalent to a deacon). 

Within a few years many unresolved questions were rising within me.  I was feeling an emptiness spiritually, not knowing why since I was in the “truth”, made me question the authenticity of the Watchtower Society.  With my many questions unresolved and the spiritual void within my soul my wife and I decided to the  Jehovah’s  Witnesses.

The next three years was a period of darkness in my life.  My marriage was on the rocks, and with no stability for my children I prayed to God to show me the truth. 

In August of 1983 I met a former Jehovah’s Witness, named Alex DiMaio.  We began to dispute the divinity of Jesus Christ.  At the end of the night I prayed to God and I expressed my belief in His word, and that the scriptures declared that Jesus was God.

It went beyond my understanding, but I submitted to His word.  That night I was born again. 

The next year was very difficult as a Christian.  Still with a shaky relationship with my wife and struggling financially, I began to develop pains in my abdomen.  I was admitted to the hospital and diagnosed with an ulcer.  After seeking the Lord in prayer soon after my release from the hospital, as I was driving home I received the mighty baptism of the Holy Spirit.  The Lord spoke these words to my soul.  He said, He loved me , I was important and special.  Waves of Love began to pour down from the top of my head to the souls of my feet.  Spontaneous praise gushed forth.  I was instantly healed and empowered by God.

In 1992 through prayer the Lord directed me and my wife who was now also saved, to have dinners for the needy in the community on Holidays.  God miraculously provided all we needed for those three years.  When the door to that area closed in 1995, God lead me to another area of ministry.  I began to minister in New York City with Love and Mercy’s’ Operation Homeless.  This involved preaching of the gospel and ministering to the needs of the people on the streets.  At that time we started attending Manorville Community Church, where I served as an elder for six years. 

In 2002 I began to minister to people in sober homes.  At the same time a small group of men and myself felt Gods call to start a ministry in our Community, to reach the unsaved and make disciples, seeing that they were baptized.  Presently our ministry is at 53 Surry Circle, in Shirley.  “Sunday morning there is worship and breaking of the word.  Tuesday night prayer, worship and breaking of the word.  Saturday from 5-7pm we have Share a meal, in which we serve hot meals and give out groceries, which is followed from 7:30-8:30 with corporate prayer.