Rev. Paul Samuel Bruno

He was born in Rochester, New York, the second of four children to Bishop Peter and Rose Marie Bruno. He spent the majority of his upbringing in Nutley, New Jersey. Being raised in a godly home, he was nurtured to understand all aspects of the Christian life as well as organizational aspects of the church. As a child, he accompanied his parents on crusades, conferences and retreats. At an early age, it was apparent that full-time ministry as a pastor would be his calling in life. He would spend his formidable years working in the nursery as a helper. During his teen-age years, time would be spent learning to play trumpet in the church orchestra and balancing the books as a treasurer for the youth. Loving children and possessing a fun-loving nature, he spent 3 years as a leader in one of the church’s youth groups, called Living Stones (age’s 10-12 years old), then onto a 5-year-stint as the Director of the Rock (age’s 13-17 years old). Through leading weekly services and teaching Sunday school classes, he honed his skills as a speaker and a leader. Both groups grew numerically and spiritually through mentoring, regular outings, retreats, contests, sports and an uncompromising teaching of the Word.

With an eye on becoming a full-time pastor one day, he desired to understand both sides of the job force. He spent years on the blue collar side as a long shore-man and an installer on import automobiles at Port Newark, New Jersey. On the white collar side, he went to school and earned a real estate license. After spending years at house sales, he joined a fortune 100 chemical company out of Avenel, New Jersey, where sales took him on the road to restaurants, hotels and businesses alike.

His formal education was done part-time around his full-time jobs and ministry duties. He attended Logos Bible College (Bronx, New York) where he earned a Associate Degree in Biblical Studies. He is currently finishing his undergraduate work at Nyack College and Alliance Theological Seminary, (Manhattan, New York) in Organizational Management. He spent several years in classes at the church, under Bishop Bruno on the topic of Pastoral Leadership Training. He also earned a teachers certificate from E.T.T.A (Evangelical Teacher Training Association).

January, 1990 started his full-time pastoral position at the church. Today, he is the Senior Associate Pastor, and “all around swell-guy.” He has led various departments of ministry and birthed new ones. He maintains a heavy schedule of teaching and preaching. In 2001, he made his first missionary trip to Zambia, Africa, where he joined with a group of international speakers. They preached in crusades and taught in training classes for local pastors. In 2002, he will bring a group from the church to join him in what will become an annual event.

Pastor Paul and his wife Suzanne, married since July, 1983, have 2 children, Samantha and Alexander. They make their home in Nutley.