The Beginning...
Say hi to our lead Pastors Eli and Deanna! Eli and Deanna have dedicated their whole lives to serving God and loving people (especially at Nickel City Church).
Eli grew up in Pittsburgh PA, while Deanna grew up in Buffalo, NY. They met while Eli was interning at a church Deanna was serving at in Niagara Falls. They became fast friends, then fell in love…that was only the beginning of the adventure!
Truth be told, they never thought they would lead pastor a church, but God had other plans and they’ve fully embraced it.
More about Eli
Before stepping into lead pastoring at NCC, Eli was the worship leader and creative arts director; he had also served in many different roles at multiple churches around the country. He attended the New Life School of Worship in Colorado Springs, CO before moving permanently to Buffalo to dive all in at NCC!
As a young adult, Eli realized the depth of God’s perfect love, and committed to a life of giving back to Him in full surrender.
Eli leads with purpose, passion, devotion, and integrity…and he loves to have fun while doing it! He is a gifted teacher, communicator, and leader. One of his deepest desires is to help others recognize and step into their full God-given potential.
When he’s not pastoring you might find Eli thrifting for treasures, seeking adventure, playing golf or instruments, enjoying his kids, writing his wife a love song (or twelve), or eating an entire box of orange hostess cupcakes.
As a young adult, Eli realized the depth of God’s perfect love, and committed to a life of giving back to Him in full surrender.
Eli leads with purpose, passion, devotion, and integrity…and he loves to have fun while doing it! He is a gifted teacher, communicator, and leader. One of his deepest desires is to help others recognize and step into their full God-given potential.
When he’s not pastoring you might find Eli thrifting for treasures, seeking adventure, playing golf or instruments, enjoying his kids, writing his wife a love song (or twelve), or eating an entire box of orange hostess cupcakes.
Eli's Favorite Scripture Verse:
"All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." 2 Timothy 3:16-17
"All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." 2 Timothy 3:16-17
Deanna’s Favorite Scripture Verse:
“You turned my wailing into dancing; You removed my sack cloth and clothed me with joy, that my heart may sing Your praises and not be silent. Lord my God, I will praise you forever!” Psalm 30:11-12
“You turned my wailing into dancing; You removed my sack cloth and clothed me with joy, that my heart may sing Your praises and not be silent. Lord my God, I will praise you forever!” Psalm 30:11-12
More about Deanna
Deanna works diligently alongside her husband both up front and behind the scenes to help fulfill the God-breathed mission and vision of NCC! She is passionate about ensuring that every person feels valued, seen, and loved (because they are).
She first heard about God’s love at the age of 14 and wanted more and more; after every church experience, Deanna would go home and excitedly seek it for herself. It suddenly became so real and tangible to her, that she clung to it and never looked back!
For this reason, Deanna continues to eagerly seek the full depth of God, and invites others along with her to pursue the same. She loves learning, encouraging, and sharing life with others. She leads with whimsy, compassion, kindness, and grace.
When she isn’t pouring herself into church ministry, you might find her being a free spirit and enjoying the simple things in life: good books, strong coffee, and lots of laughs!
She also loves creating cozy spaces, eating peanut butter sponge candy, putting doilies everywhere, and keeping their seven kids alive and thriving!
She first heard about God’s love at the age of 14 and wanted more and more; after every church experience, Deanna would go home and excitedly seek it for herself. It suddenly became so real and tangible to her, that she clung to it and never looked back!
For this reason, Deanna continues to eagerly seek the full depth of God, and invites others along with her to pursue the same. She loves learning, encouraging, and sharing life with others. She leads with whimsy, compassion, kindness, and grace.
When she isn’t pouring herself into church ministry, you might find her being a free spirit and enjoying the simple things in life: good books, strong coffee, and lots of laughs!
She also loves creating cozy spaces, eating peanut butter sponge candy, putting doilies everywhere, and keeping their seven kids alive and thriving!