Board Members
Rev. Paul Johansson
Co-Founder & Chairman
Paul and Gloria Johansson have been serving God together for over 52 years. Their ministry has included pastoring, women's leadership, missionary service in Kenya, Dean of Students and President (12 years) of Elim. In 1984 they co-founded the New York School of Urban Ministry. Presently, they are involved in traveling among the churches, both home and abroad, holding leadership seminars for pastors and Christian workers. They are now living in Hampton, Virginia and have two children and four grandchildren.
Rev. Peter M. DeArruda
President
Rev. Peter DeArruda is an ordained minister in New York City where he and his wife, Darleen, serve as urban missionaries for the past 34 years with the New York School of Urban Ministry. Rev. DeArruda became Elim Fellowships first Home Missionaries in 1987 and serves on the Council of Elders Board for Elim Fellowship, Lima, NY. He became the Executive Vice President of NYSUM in1994 and was elected at NYSUM’S President in 2017. He has studied at Zion Bible Institute, is a graduate of Elim Bible Institute in 1980, and earned his B.A. degree in religion & philosophy from Houghton College in 1981. He has served the body of Christ for over 37 years in diverse ministry capacities such as youth pastor, pastor, evangelist, and presently, an urban missionary.
Since 1987, he has been actively involved in spearheading and leading urban outreaches as well as evangelism training with the New York School of Urban Ministry. He has been instrumental in bringing vision and challenge to city churches in mobilizing the body of Christ for urban ministry. He is a Bible teacher in several ethnic NYC churches and is also an instructor at NYSUM.
Rev. DeArruda provides leadership for those coming to New York City to be trained in ministry from other mega-cities throughout the U.S. and Canada—with the purpose of motivating and equipping churches to reclaim their own city for Christ! He also serves as a mentor in urban ministry for many local churches in New York City, providing support, resources and guidance to urban pastors and churches through years of relationship and experience.
He has traveled and spoken in several foreign countries for pastors’ conferences, crusades and church meetings. As a missionary to New York City, he is a speaker for mission’s conferences, men’s retreats, crusades in the United States and in urban centers throughout the world.
Peter is happily married to his wife, Darleen, of 40 years and has two beautiful daughters, Christina & Stefanie.
Since 1987, he has been actively involved in spearheading and leading urban outreaches as well as evangelism training with the New York School of Urban Ministry. He has been instrumental in bringing vision and challenge to city churches in mobilizing the body of Christ for urban ministry. He is a Bible teacher in several ethnic NYC churches and is also an instructor at NYSUM.
Rev. DeArruda provides leadership for those coming to New York City to be trained in ministry from other mega-cities throughout the U.S. and Canada—with the purpose of motivating and equipping churches to reclaim their own city for Christ! He also serves as a mentor in urban ministry for many local churches in New York City, providing support, resources and guidance to urban pastors and churches through years of relationship and experience.
He has traveled and spoken in several foreign countries for pastors’ conferences, crusades and church meetings. As a missionary to New York City, he is a speaker for mission’s conferences, men’s retreats, crusades in the United States and in urban centers throughout the world.
Peter is happily married to his wife, Darleen, of 40 years and has two beautiful daughters, Christina & Stefanie.
Rev. Dr. Carlos Velez
Secretary
Rev. Dr. Carlos Velez, Pastoral Ministry for over 35 years, 21 years, Assistant Pastor of Evangel Church LIC, NY, 16 years Dr. Velez, Assistant Professor, Pastoral Ministry, Nyack College & now Depart. Head of Pastoral Ministry at Nyack College. Dr. Velez, B.A., SUNY Empire State College, his M.A. in Old Testament from ATS, PHD from Trinity Theological Seminary. Dr. Velez ordained with Assemblies of God 32 years. Dr. Velez and his wife Miriam (Assistant Professor of Childhood Education at Nyack College). They live in PA and have been blessed with 2 children & 5 grandchildren
Rev. Cecil Henry
Cecil Henry is the senior pastor at Calvary Community Church in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, New York since 1989. Rev. Henry and his wife Gerda Henry are committed to reaching the unsaved with the Gospel of Jesus Christ and impacting the lives of others to recognize, develop and utilize their gifts and talents for the betterment of themselves and our community. They have been instrumental in the organization and facilitation of anti-drug rallies, community awareness initiatives such as voting and blood drives and community annual festivals.
Rev. Dr. Charles Hammond
Joined Nyack College & Alliance Theological Seminary in 2005 as Assistant to the President, Dr. David Schroeder. Currently, reports to the President, Dr. Michael Scales & serves as Vice-President for Church Relations/Dean of the Chapel (website:www.nyack.edu).
Serving as an Associate Pastor at the Brooklyn Tabernacle church since 1988 to the present.
Serves on several non-profit boards in the tri-state area as well as a board member for NYSUM (New York School of Urban Ministry), LIC, NY.
Married to Myrna Marie Hammond since November 1981. Two grown children, Charles III and Melinda. Two Grand-daughters, Tekoa Jolie Hammond, Avery Hammond and one grand-son, Jax Hammond.
Serving as an Associate Pastor at the Brooklyn Tabernacle church since 1988 to the present.
- Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from NYU.
- Master of Professional Studies degree from Alliance Theological Seminary in Urban Ministry.
- Doctorate degree from Trinity College of the Bible and Trinity Theological Seminary in Newburgh, Indiana.
Serves on several non-profit boards in the tri-state area as well as a board member for NYSUM (New York School of Urban Ministry), LIC, NY.
Married to Myrna Marie Hammond since November 1981. Two grown children, Charles III and Melinda. Two Grand-daughters, Tekoa Jolie Hammond, Avery Hammond and one grand-son, Jax Hammond.
Mr. Henry Fuksman
President & CEO of Energy Solutions USA provides
consultation for the reduction of energy costs through facility improvements often paid for by state or utility funded programs.
Rev. Marlinda Ireland
Marlinda is a Bible teacher, conference speaker, author wife and mother. She, and her husband David lead Christ Church, with campuses in Montclair and Rockaway, New Jersey. Their church is a spiritual home for over seventy nationalities and exists To Unite People to God and People to People. Marlinda is a graduate of Alliance Theological Seminary (ATS) in New York City where she earned her Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry degrees. She now serves as an adjunct professor at ATS. Marlinda and David are the parents of two beautiful daughters, Danielle and Jessica.
Timothy Scott Holmes
Education: BA-1982, Bible Central Bible College
Experience: Forty years of construction experience in building churches and church related buildings with experience in other construction related fields prior and during this period.
Tim has served in supervisory and management positions on numerous church construction projects. With much time spent in hands on experience, Tim has developed special talents and skills in assisting many churches in bringing their ideas and concepts into the final constructed project.
Tim is now serving as an Associate Pastor at Christian Life Assembly in Stroudsburg Pennsylvania.. He is actively involved in mission building in Malawi and Zambia, Africa. Tim is also a principal of Church Constructors, Inc.
Experience: Forty years of construction experience in building churches and church related buildings with experience in other construction related fields prior and during this period.
Tim has served in supervisory and management positions on numerous church construction projects. With much time spent in hands on experience, Tim has developed special talents and skills in assisting many churches in bringing their ideas and concepts into the final constructed project.
Tim is now serving as an Associate Pastor at Christian Life Assembly in Stroudsburg Pennsylvania.. He is actively involved in mission building in Malawi and Zambia, Africa. Tim is also a principal of Church Constructors, Inc.