Pat Manzo

Area(s) of ministry you oversee: Evangelism, (training believers, outreaches) Discipleship, (new believers, new members) Christian Education, (Foundations, Crown ministries, altar workers, Cleansing Stream) and Men’s Ministries. Spouse's name: Mary Ann Married since: 1978 Number of children: 3 Children's name(s): Isaac, Rachel, and Josiah Where were you born: Providence, Rhode Island  Saved since: 1977 On staff since: 2007 Previous line of work: Senior Pastor (25-years) and founder of Dream Again Ministries, Inc. Hobbies: Running, tennis, swimming, reading a good book, listening to people tell their life story, enjoying a good meal, watching a non-fiction movie and theater. Favorite sports team: New England Patriots Least favorite sports team: New York Yankees Favorite movie: Les Miserables with Liam Neeson Favorite non-fiction book: D. L. Moody - The Greatest Evangelist of the Nineteenth Century by Faith Coxe Bailey Favorite restaurants: Seasons 52 & Carrabba’s Craziest (legal) thing you've ever done: While on a Mediterranean cruise with my wife and three other couples, we arrived at the island of Santorini, Greece. It was a breathtakingly beautiful view from the ship. Since it was on top of a mountain, to get to it there were three choices: you could take the gondola ride which was fast and easy and most conventional, or you could take the zigzag donkey ride up which the most adventurous or you could walk up the donkey path which almost nobody did. Being the type that loves a good challenge, I was the only one of our group who decided to walk up the donkey path. What I did not know was the zigzag path was quite steep, full of donkey dung, and worst of all after the donkeys dropped their riders off at the top they came back down that path. So the quest was to keep dodging the donkeys on my way up this extremely steep mountain in the 100 degree weather. If this stunt was caught on camera it would be able to be viewed on Animal Planet-Funniest Home Videos. I literally almost got trampled to death! I was squeezed up against the side of the stone walls and also came between two donkeys who had nothing else on their minds but going back down the mountain. I actually shocked myself by choosing such a feat. I had to talk to myself the entire time to keep strategizing how I was going to accomplish this crazy idea, knowing the rest of my group had already arrived at the top of the mountain and had to be wondering what happened to me. I finally showed up before them as white as a ghost, soaked with sweat and very glad to be alive! Would I ever return to Santorini? YES, it was absolutely wonderful! Will I go to the top the same way again? NEVER! Interesting fact that most wouldn't know about you or your family: I was born April 1st which most attribute to April Fools Day. Although at times I am a fool for Christ, I was actually born on Easter Sunday! What would you hope to have written on your gravestone (your epitaph) to summarize your life's purpose? “Is there one more?” For 30 years I have been giving altar calls for people to give their lives to Jesus. Each time after several have responded and it’s time to bring it to an end I always come back a number of times with "Is their one more?” and there always is. Thank God! Testimony: As a young adult I had all the material possessions I could want and yet found life empty. Even drugs and women didn’t satisfy. Then a friend shared the scriptures with me and I was awestruck by 1 John 4:16 “God is love.” Later I read the story of the Rich Young Ruler whom Jesus invited to sell all his possessions, give the money to the poor and follow Him. I could really relate to this and felt Jesus calling me to follow Him as well. This young man turned away from Jesus sadly, but I decided to follow gladly and my life has never been the same! Thank you Jesus!