Upstate New York

Compiled by Shyla Smith, Syracuse, New York, USA

“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” (1 Thess. 5:11)

“How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!” (Psalm 133:1)

The upstate New York churches are spread across central and western New York in Albany, Syracuse, Rochester, Buffalo, Binghamton, Ithaca, and Ellicottville. Aside from the Salt City Church in Syracuse, led by JC and Shyla Smith, these churches are small groups led by “tentmakers” (Acts 18:3): brothers and sisters who work full-time jobs in the world. The Smiths are the glue that enable our small groups to encourage and support one another. Thanks to their initiative, the disciples have traveled long distances to gather together for upstate worship services, park services, Christmas banquets, and hikes, as well as to meet in online devotionals, midweeks, and women’s day events. God is providing for our needs and the needs of the lost across the churches. We would like to share a couple of the ways God has enabled us to encourage and support one another in the past year.  

A Baptism in Rochester, NY

Shortly after our sister, Dorothy, originally a member of the Albany church, moved to the Rochester area to marry our brother Ethan, a woman named Deb Anderson came into our lives. In one of my (Ann Marie’s) first conversations with Deb, she expressed a desire to be baptized by immersion. She had been unable to find anyone to help her due to her disability. Deb is wheelchair-bound due to complications of Cerebral Palsy and an accident. Dorothy and I began studies with Deb to prepare her for baptism.  As I live a distance from Rochester, Dorothy would go to the nursing home where Deb lived once a week and we would study over the phone (pre-Covid, pre-Zoom). Due to Deb’s speech difficulties the studies progressed slowly, but we were moving forward. Then the COVID pandemic took hold in the country, and the nursing home where Deb lived was closed to all visitors. We would not see Deb face to face for over a year.  We tried to stay in touch, but it was extremely difficult. My stomach sank when we learned through Deb’s sister that Deb had contracted COVID and was very ill. The Buffalo sisters were such a support to me during that time. I remember one sister saying, “Don’t worry, God’s got this!” It meant so much to me. Fortunately, Deb recovered, the home reopened, and we began studying again. Finally, Deb was ready to be baptized! But new challenges arose. Deb’s medical challenges were many and baptizing her safely would take an extraordinary effort. Her doctor and caregivers were concerned that she could not be baptized without causing her harm. Thankfully, God provided advice and support from our brother, Dr. Chumy Nwogu, a thoracic surgeon in Buffalo, as well as two sisters in Christ: Cynthia, a health aide in Rochester specializing in working with disabled adults, and Dilia, a traveling emergency room nurse. (Shout out to down state!) When Deb was baptized, disciples from both Rochester and Buffalo were there to rejoice with her!

Deb and Dorothy after Deb’s Baptism

Buffalo Baptism and Rooted Group

God was working miracles across the upstate churches during the dark days of the COVID pandemic. In the small town of Ellicottville, NY, a sister Kristina, originally from the NYC church, was restored to her relationship with God and the church in early 2021. She reached out to friends in Ellicottville, one of whom was a young woman named Bre. Bre was baptized in January 2021 and then reached out to a former coworker, Yamilexus (Yami), in Buffalo. Yami studied the Bible and was baptized in Buffalo in January 2022, and immediately began reaching out to her family and friends. As a result of Yami’s love, prayers, and faith, three of her friends have studied the Bible and been baptized this year so far, and a number of others are studying, or have studied, the Bible as well! Excitingly, God put it on Yami’s heart to start a young adult group in Buffalo, called “Rooted.” Inspired by a similar young adult group just over the border at our sister church in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, the Rooted disciples aspire to reach out to other young adults in the community with fun events and community service projects. They had their inaugural event, a cookout and outdoor games day, on July 9th and it was a smashing success! We are all encouraged by their faith in action and their initiative.

Yami (center) and Her Baptized Friends

Ann Marie and Jen

Ann Marie Smith (Rochester, NY) became a Christian in 1998 in the Washington DC church, and Jennifer Valeri (Buffalo, NY) was baptized in 1979 in the great Boston church. We are both teachers, lovers of nature, and lovers of God and encourage one another with weekly phone calls of encouragement and prayer on our way to school. 

Upstate NY Park Service held in Syracuse. Disciples travel 2 to 3 hours for these special summer services.

Women’s Day 2023 Yoga class

Albany, Syracuse and Rochester Singles