Rochester Christian Church Ministries- AVOID AT ALL COSTS

We all have our own opinion. I have been attending Rochester Christian Church Ministries off and on for almost 5 years. During the past 6 months I have been attending every Sunday except when I have to work, one Sunday per month. The church was extremely helpful to me when my son was going through a very difficult stage in his life that destroyed my entire family. The pastor's wife and other ministers at the church would often come by and visit and invite us to their home for dinner. Pastor Galvano counseled my son every week for a year. Now he is doing so much better. He volunteers at the Transformation Center every Tuesday night and serves food to the less fortunate. My husband has even recently talked to me about coming to church with me.

I don't profess to be a great christian but when I read the information above, I knew that I needed to give my opinion. Rochester Christian Church has done more for me than any member of my own family.

I have one more point about the money item mentioned above. I really don't know the family to well but the information seems fishy. Every single Sunday, whatever minister is taking up the collection they always say "If you are new, please do not give, we want to be a blessing to you". Even after attending the church for 5 years, they have never pressured me to give money. And it has never made a difference in how I am treated. That is important to me and I have always noticed it.

Possible liable by the author of the first blog?
I know nothing of this church other than seeing the film they produced as seen on Youtube, called Napoli. I live in Texas, but came from NY and attended a Italian Pentecostal church on LI. I worked in Christian TV as did my husband and I will tell you there is always someone who doesn't like another! I will tell you that the Napoli film had me in tears as I saw a goodness in this man and a spirit so much like my Italian Pastor. I know enough about the Pentecostal movement to say, that a true believer in Christ even if feeling wronged would never post undocumented things that I dare to say constitutes liable at best. The true truth test in complaint posted is to examine the words. No one is good to this writer calling people unrelated to the pastor "floozies", etc. Event he Pastor's kids are subject to attack! A real lover of God would take their grief to the administration above the pastor and not to the net. Folks, there are 2 sides to every story yes. However, when one uses an outlet here where the other side is not presented is manipulative. Remember, they hung Jesus on a tree with a thief and murderer and called him criminal too! All I ask for is that people do as Jesus said...judge not lest they too be judged! You can look at a tree and determine if the fruit is bad and decide not to eat from it. That is different than judging. If I were that writer I would be afraid of being sued for such words given without proof. You just can't say these things without offering proof! It's like throwing vomit in the air hoping something will stick! People like this are obviously trouble makers hell bent on revenge. If this Pastor was doing wrong the numbers in the church would dwindle and the whole organization would fall. Kingdoms of men do fall! However, children of God will be preserved! Examine the ranting and you will see what appears to be someone who might be a trouble maker put in his place and is now out for blood. No REAL evidence presented by the author of wrong doing by the Pastor by an objective reader!

I agree with Lily. I have been attending this church since before I had a choice (when I was a kid). I now live in Raleigh but attend Rochester Christian when I visit home. I went to school with Jeremy and he is an incredible person (great ball player too). All the ministry staff at the church are caring and genuine and I miss them all! Pastor Galvano was instrumental in getting my life in order. He took me out to lunch when I came home in April. I hate when people "throw vomit" on good people.
Keep up the work work Rochester Christian Church Ministries.

From my book: "Betrayed By Gossip" and how to respond to the acusser of the brethren. 1)Do not accept hearsay. 2) The discussion should be based upon observable BEHAVIOR. 3) The accuser should be instructed to own their feelings concerning the accused. 4) Look at the accusers motives. 5) Look at the accusers attitude. 6) Is the accuser delusional? 7) Does the accuser have symptoms of a jealous or haughty spirit? 8) is the accuser listening or only hearing? 9) Does the accuser have RESTORATION as their goal or destruction?

Having beeb a victim of slander such as the above post myself, I have written my book in order to help those that have been victims and also to expose these wolves that are attacking in order to divide, destroy, and bring ruin.

Sir,

Thank you so much for the work of God that you are also doing over there.
I am from the D.R.Congo, Living here in Kenya as a pastor of Evangelistic Messengers' Ministry.
I have experience many things in the ministries an life.
Then I would like to get connected to you as we shall sit sharing the greatness of God to the lost.

God bless you,

Pastor Jean-Claude

the church is awesome!!!

I feel bad for all the poor people in this room who do not agree with the author of the first blog because I also attended RCCM for several years and experienced the same crappy treatment. I agree with ALL of their comments and observations. Fortunately for all the others, they did not fall as deeply in the hole. I was actually a leader at this place after just a few months of attending, so with a very short salvation, they put me in there to only be torn down by them when I became more aware how contrary to scripture their ministry was...They do not allow anyone to question their "authority"...but hey thankfully enough our God is great and placed me in a real church home where I can really experience the Love of God and serve Him and not be brain washed into thinking I must serve man..... May the Lord have his revenge.amen

I have been attending RCCM since 1994, and I love it.
It was the best decision I ever made. Unfortunately, anyone with web-access and a gripe against God can post the their feelings here, even if they are untrue.
RCCM is a super place, and my four kids love it. I know the pastor and leadership well. I have had the honor of traveling with the leadership team overseas.
I own 3 retail health food stores in the greater Rochester area. After nearly 15 years, I would stake my reputation on RCCM.
The thing about RCCM is they embrace everyone without bias. I've seen alot of rough people come in. An example: a drug user attended for a just a few weeks and he unfortunately resumed his habit and left the church. He returned last Monday night (after about two months) while we were have a teacher's appreciate dinner. The pastor stood up and embraced him and sat me right next to himself. Although it was a simple and un-sensational event, It was so overwhelming to watch, but it was so natural for him.
There's alot of new Christians at RCCM, especially ones that need to be cleaned up. I guessing this is true because the wouldn't be accepted elsewhere. Who else would do this? I know Christ did.
I am throughly proud of my church and how they stand behind what they preach. I've seen love, unconditional love.

Thanks for the link J.....
Yeah, RCCM's cool. I've been here for about a year and I've meet a bunch of great guys. I just started working on the TV show and it's a blast!!!!!(www.rccm.org/tv ).
In the episode we're filmming now we are doing a parody of "The Office". Too cool. I also love pastor G. John, Nunzio, and Caroline, vivian and the rest of the pastoral team. Jason's right, they were very helpful to me when I needed it and that was even before I starting attending the weekend services.
Mike

WARNING:DO NOT BE FOOLED BY THE GALVANOS!
DO NOT LET VIVIAN COUNSEL YOU!!! IF YOU ATTEND...
GIVE ONLY WHAT GOD TELLS YOU TO...NOT THEM!!
KNOW THAT YOU FOLLOW JESUS...NOT RCCM. THEIR LEADERSHIP IS BRAIN WASHED...THEY ARE A CULT...AND PERSONALLY PROFIT FROM TITHING AND OFFERINGS!!!THEY LIE!!!THEY ARE SLUMLORDS...AND THEY MAKE YOU LEAVE IF YOU START TO QUESTION ANYTHING SUSPICIOUS!!!THEN THEY TELL LIES TO COVER UP!!!FIND A HEALTHY MINISTRY!!!THE SEATS ARE EMPTY FOR A REASON!!!
When I attended RCCM it had a purpose that made me who I am today, I grew in the Lord, in His word and I know that my time there had a purpose. It is ONLY because I know that, that I have been able to recover and move on from all of the LIES,DECEIT, and MENTAL/SPIRITUAL DAMAGE that the RCCM ministry caused to my family. I thank God that there are people on this site who have not (yet)been affected by the Galvano family. I pray that the Lord protect you. The TRUTH becomes apparent only when you are a part of the LEADERSHIP, as I was. AND,even now, I am sure that they are making every effort to clean up their image. EVERYTHING that tybb (first blog) and jdidd (further down)said ARE TRUE!!! If you attend RCCM (for more than the past year), ask yourself this...Why have so many of the leadership dissapeared? I personally know, and keep in touch with over 20 people who have all been hurt by RCCM. And that was within a 2 year period of attendance. This family has been hurting people for over 30 years!!If you are someone that has been hurt by this church, know that there is recovery. God is faithful. I know you feel betrayed...but it is them...NOT GOD. Continue on your journey...God will have HIS revenge!!!Amen

steven paul, a.k.a.....Jason P. and Michael you are so creative to come up with both of these scenarios. "GREAT JOB!"

Jason P wrote:

I have been attending RCCM since 1994, and I love it.
It was the best decision I ever made. Unfortunately, anyone with web-access and a gripe against God can post the their feelings here, even if they are untrue.
RCCM is a super place, and my four kids love it. I know the pastor and leadership well. I have had the honor of traveling with the leadership team overseas.
I own 3 retail health food stores in the greater Rochester area. After nearly 15 years, I would stake my reputation on RCCM.
The thing about RCCM is they embrace everyone without bias. I've seen alot of rough people come in. An example: a drug user attended for a just a few weeks and he unfortunately resumed his habit and left the church. He returned last Monday night (after about two months) while we were have a teacher's appreciate dinner. The pastor stood up and embraced him and sat me right next to himself. Although it was a simple and un-sensational event, It was so overwhelming to watch, but it was so natural for him.
There's alot of new Christians at RCCM, especially ones that need to be cleaned up. I guessing this is true because the wouldn't be accepted elsewhere. Who else would do this? I know Christ did.
I am throughly proud of my church and how they stand behind what they preach. I've seen love, unconditional love.

A couple years back the youth had a wonderful youth leader. The youth were motivated and out to seek new ideas and try new things as a chrisitan church family. They were involved in many actiivties and events with other chrisitian youth groups.There was a misunderstanding one day between the youth leader and an assisstant youth leader, it basically was caused by another youth member who got her facts mixed up and blamed on the wrong person! This caused a rapid decrease in members of the RCCM youth group and in the church's population. Personally, this has showed me that the people who call theirselves so called christians are too much like the flesh, because a godly man or woman would have handled a situation such as this as a chrisitian should! It was sad to see the youth decline, and no telling how this had personally affected each of the youth. It could've had a negative affect or maybe it didn't bother some...but it sure did bother me and many others! I just thought that i needed to get that off my chest! You think you know...But you don't know it all!

pastor galvano is an extortionist. it started with his wife janet whom he tried to blame her father for miss dealings he had. his now wife is a devil in diguise (ask Jeremy when Monica and John tried to pray the demons out they could not) Pastor was accused of molesting his own daughter yaers ago that why she was on cocaine for so long. thank s she is no sober. Steven Paul watch out he likes little Girls age 15-17 pervert.

I visited RCCM last Sunday (2/17), because all the interesting comments on this page. I am a natural sceptic when it comes to churches, but I have to admit that I loved it. Pastor Galvano was not at the church last week, they said he was traveling. He gave a vgreeting and shared some encouraging words via video. I stayed after the meeting and spoke to as many pastors as possible. I talked to 6 of them - some short, some longer conversations. They were cordial and genuine. I asked each of them how long they've been here. I also told them directly: I am looking for a church, why should I consider RCCM? I was pretty surprised by the answers, which most times turned into conversations. I enjoyed talking to Elder John, but they all seemed fine. I was a bit surprised by the excitement and passion that they possesed. All of the people I spoke to have been with RCCM for many years, all seem to be mature, stable, professional, that stuff.
I returned to RCCM today (2/24), although they had a special guest speaker, pastor galvano spoke for 10 minutes or so at the beginning, it was a short sermon about "journeying to a higher level is life". It was deeply meaningful to me. It was one of the most refreshing things I've heard in a church recently. The guest speaker (Seavvy?) was good too. I had very pleasant talk with pastor galvano after the church was over. I stayed talking to people a full 90mins after the meeting was over.

I visited out of curiosity, and I'm surprised by what I found. I am new, but I witnessed a great sense of excitement at RCCM.
The posts on this site suggest a dark, controlled, closed-off environment. I suppose that would for neccesary to extort, or to brainwash, or to disguise....but what I found at RCCM is just the opposite. An extremely open, friendly environment filled with excitement. RCCM is also young-skewing. There is many 30 somethings families, singles, etc.

I work as a engineer for a Rochester firm. My job is basic problem solving. My feeling is that the accusations on this page simply do not line up with what I've witnessed at RCCM. In fact, they seem opposite. I smell a gripe, and probably by all the same person in multiple posts.

I'm not recommending RCCM, not yet. If this thread stays alive, I'll post back as I'm planning to attend again. What I've seen for far, has me interested.

I used to go to that church before I split up with my husband I have nothing bad to say about it. people from the church worked hard in counseling me and my husband. I was embarrased when it didnt work and never went back. the youth pastor still calls my son once in a while. I live in the west side and they picked us up every week.

Rich...all you said is true...and what you experienced captivated us all ...which is why those of us who have left were there for 2+ years...what you have read is not a "public" problem...it is unfortunately all true...yet, is not discovered/displayed until someone reaches the realm of 'leadership.'I encourage you to continue in the direction God is leading you...and don't be pursuaded by anyones comments...yet...at the same time...the 'dark side' does exist...and having experienced it personally along with 20+ others I personally know...I can tell you...this is not a gripe...or a rebellious person with a grudge...or someone who did not get their way...this is a VERY REAL GROUP of people that have been seriously affected by the Galvano family and their corrupt practices. You will not even catch wind of anything until you are more involved....advice:know your scriptures....the truth will reveal itself in time....

Rich Brown wrote:

I visited RCCM last Sunday (2/17), because all the interesting comments on this page. I am a natural sceptic when it comes to churches, but I have to admit that I loved it. Pastor Galvano was not at the church last week, they said he was traveling. He gave a vgreeting and shared some encouraging words via video. I stayed after the meeting and spoke to as many pastors as possible. I talked to 6 of them - some short, some longer conversations. They were cordial and genuine. I asked each of them how long they've been here. I also told them directly: I am looking for a church, why should I consider RCCM? I was pretty surprised by the answers, which most times turned into conversations. I enjoyed talking to Elder John, but they all seemed fine. I was a bit surprised by the excitement and passion that they possesed. All of the people I spoke to have been with RCCM for many years, all seem to be mature, stable, professional, that stuff.
I returned to RCCM today (2/24), although they had a special guest speaker, pastor galvano spoke for 10 minutes or so at the beginning, it was a short sermon about "journeying to a higher level is life". It was deeply meaningful to me. It was one of the most refreshing things I've heard in a church recently. The guest speaker (Seavvy?) was good too. I had very pleasant talk with pastor galvano after the church was over. I stayed talking to people a full 90mins after the meeting was over.
I visited out of curiosity, and I'm surprised by what I found. I am new, but I witnessed a great sense of excitement at RCCM.
The posts on this site suggest a dark, controlled, closed-off environment. I suppose that would for neccesary to extort, or to brainwash, or to disguise....but what I found at RCCM is just the opposite. An extremely open, friendly environment filled with excitement. RCCM is also young-skewing. There is many 30 somethings families, singles, etc.
I work as a engineer for a Rochester firm. My job is basic problem solving. My feeling is that the accusations on this page simply do not line up with what I've witnessed at RCCM. In fact, they seem opposite. I smell a gripe, and probably by all the same person in multiple posts.
I'm not recommending RCCM, not yet. If this thread stays alive, I'll post back as I'm planning to attend again. What I've seen for far, has me interested.

You conspiracy theorists are nutty. Secret meetings; dark sides; realm of leadership; what are you talking about?

Besides three years in the late 90's I have been at RCCM since 1989. I have been at many of your so called secret meetings and all I have to say that you are incorrect. Any of the thousands of people that RCCM touches know that this church is the most above board, clean organization that you'll find. You people clearly have never been at the church.

I even worked at RCCM full time in 2004-2005. I've ever seem any evidence of anything that you're accusing RCCM of. Pastor Galvano is a gem of a man. He has been very generous and caring with me over the years.

You should be held liable for your misrepresentations.

I have never been at this church, I want to say that upfront. But I have a positive story about it. A seminar was happening there in 2006 and there was different people from Africa in attendance. An elderly Zimbabwian couple live in my apartment on Child St. They are a very good couple, honest, etc. I heard about the seminar on the radio, I told the couple they should try to attend as they rarely leave the apartment I gave them the phone number. A few days later they told me they had called and the pastor and his wife themselves picked them up, and they had a ball at the seminar. They ate and had a good time with 50 other africans and about 300 others who were there if memory serves.
They have been talking about it ever since and they attend the church ever since. I have noticed they seem different now - they attribute it to the church at Rochester Christian.

Church is not for me. Mostly because of the kind of stuff I read on these types of listing. Go figure, I see a church that impresses me and then another "so called christian Saved by Grace" turns me off to it. I'll tell you though, my husband and I own 6 apartments in the city and have heard every story in the book. You learn to go with the numbers. I'm with the church on this one. A big established church vs. one guy with a gripe (writing many times).

I am a music student at Roberts and I attend RCCM. I teach Sunday School and I attend all the leadership meetings including monthly Sunday School teachers meetings they are educational, motivational, and inspirational. Pastor Galvano is awesome!! Caroline Shaw is the Sunday School superintendent and she rocks. She is a super-chill English lady with great ideas and passion for kids. That is how all the pastors and leaders at the church are. That is just a fact. Someone above stated that RCCM is an exciting place to be and that is so true. The biblical teaching are rich and deep (reminds me of my church in Albany). There is such a genuine concern for people at RCCM, I think that's why there has been so much growth over the past few years.
I have no idea what you negative people are talking about, but you have obviously have not been at RCCM!
That's so funny "recruiters". recruiters for what? I suppose it could be said that I was recruited to be a Sunday School teacher. I teach little kids biblical parables.

KLL

I've been attending RCCM at N. Goodman st. where Alfonso Galvano is the pastor. I believe there is a relation between the two pastors. I know they were raised in a Christian Church, and their mother goes to the Church. In the Bible says that we will be persecuted. The devil uses anyone to divert us from our purpose of salvation. If those pastors are doing something wrong, The Lord knows and they have what is coming to them. No one can hide from The Lord. I will pray for this newsletter. If this information is true or false, it does not matter to me. I know where I'm going where I die, do you? God Bless you all.