Pastor focuses on building bridges

Pastor Steve Roser says he’s wanted to pinch himself a few times lately.
The 58-year-old, Pastor of the Assembly of God in Howard Beach, said that his perceptions of New Yorkers have been “shattered.”
After 31 years of ministry in Pennsylvania, primarily Philadelphia, Roser was installed at the Assembly of God, located at 158-31 99th Street, on February 24, 2008.
“Our leadership believed I would be a good fit, especially within the genre of the community,” he said.
Now, after one year of faithful service to the neighborhood, he said, “We [he and his wife Sharon] have had probably the best year of 31 years of ministry. We have never worked with a group that is more supportive, cooperative, affirming and loving than this group at the Howard Beach Assembly of God.”
Roser replaced Werner Kordon, who, at 81, retired after 54 years.
“He was a spiritual, loving man who reproduced himself in these people,” said Roser. “He built this from scratch.”
Roser said his main focus is building bridges with people - relationships of trust by which he can lend an ear, counsel and “envelop everyone in the community.”
“My main calling and love is to preach and shepherd the people in the church,” he continued.
With 80 parishioners - and growing - Roser said his biggest challenge is “Being relevant to unchurched people - reaching tham in a way that is relevant to them without compromising the essential message.”
“We pray for the community and do everything we can to be of service and preach the Gospel, which has transformed people and marriages - many look forward to sharing the Good News,” he continued.
The Howard Beach Assembly of God can be reached at 718-641-6785 or on the web at www.howardbeachchurchaog.org.