Meet Our Pastors & Staff
Rev. Artie Kassimis
Pastor Artie was born and raised in the Bronx, NY to wonderful Greek immigrant parents. He can speak, read and write in Greek which gives him a keen revelation of the New Testament scriptures. He attended Rhema Bible Training Center in Tulsa, OK and has a Master's Degree in Theology from Life Christian University.
In April of 1995 he and his wife, Janice, started Word Alive Bible Church. At the heart of his message is the revelation of who we are, what we have, and what we can do in Christ. His messages are filled with real life illustrations and are always very humorous.
He is a sought after speaker and one of his passions is training other leaders in the ministry. This generation needs to experience God and Pastor Artie endeavors to not only teach God's Word but to also demonstrate God's power. He has preached around the world, in places like Albania, Egypt, Greece, Guatemala, the Philippines and Honduras.
He has a very diverse background in both corporate and public service. He spent many years as an IT executive for a major corporation and is very active in the local political scene serving as Police Chaplain and on the Board of Education.
His hobbies include fishing, boating, softball, and working out. He is also an accomplished martial artist and now trains in the Israeli self defense system called Krav Maga.
Artie and Janice have raised 4 amazing kids and are proud grandparents!
Rev. Janice Faye Kassimis
Janice was born in Fort Benning, GA and raised in New Milford, CT. Her life story comes right out of a Lifetime movie. She was the oldest of 3 girls and raised by a single dad because her mother had abandoned them when they were very young. Her childhood was filled with abuse and feelings of abandonment. But that all changed when she met Jesus.
Janice's heart is now filled with compassion for women who have gone through what she has and loves leading them to Christ and showing them a more excellent way. She also has a special place in heart for kids.
Janice enjoys spending time with her family, kickboxing, and the outdoors. She used to run half marathons before she started having kids! She has been very instrumental in building Word Alive, creating the Children's Ministries, Youth Ministries, and Women's Ministries of the church.
Rev. Jonathan Peters
Jonathan Peters is the son of the Reverend James Peters who built and pastored The Bethany Assembly of God in Stamford CT. It was there that Jonathan initiated his music ministry over forty years ago.
Desiring to pursue this ministry as a profession, Jonathan attended The Faith School of Theology in Charleston, ME. It was there that his career in music ministry developed as he directed the college choir, engaged in college choir tours, and rendered vocal performances for the founder and president of the college at special events.
Following his graduation, he accepted the position as the Minister of Music at a Church in Pennsylvania. After teaching at Christian schools and serving with various music ministries in the Philadelphia area, Jonathan founded the Vision Christian Academy in Chester, PA, a Christian School in which two hundred students were enrolled.
Although the leading of worship services is his greatest passion, Jonathan has achieved notable success as a playwright and author of numerous plays and musical productions. His latest musical "Our Only Hope, The Lamb" is an exceptional work, which was well received by theater audiences. It has had a tremendous impact upon society as it focuses upon the current national issue of inner city gun violence. Local and state officials participated in the theater production of this play which was held in Chester Pennsylvania.
This musical veteran has made appearances on several locally and nationally televised concerts and telethons. Most notably performing with the Boston Pops during a nationally televised 4th of July celebration and singing background vocals on two hit songs that reached R&B No. 2 Billboard singles chart.
Serving as Minister of Music for several churches over the last 30 years, Jonathan is currently the Minister of Music at Word Alive Bible Church.
Rev. Dr. Michele Romeo
Reverend Dr. Michele Romeo has been a Christian since 1983. She received her degree as a marriage and family counselor and currently provides counseling services at Word Alive Church and beyond. Michele serves on the Financial Board of the church and is an active participant of the pastoral staff. She is a teacher at the Word Alive’s campus of Life Christian University and previously with Vision University. She has served on the Board of Directors at Re-Entry (a Women’s drug & alcohol Rehab).