Biographial Sketch of Randy Lesseski:

Randy grew up in a little coal mining town in southwestern Pennsylvania about 20 miles north of Pittsburgh. In his early years, poverty was not understood, but experienced. Until the age of six it was not uncommon to see his loving mother carry water from a springhouse located approximately fifty yards from a poorly constructed wood frame "company" house. Until the age of nine he was very much acquainted with terms such as, outhouse, hand pumping well water, pot belly coal stove and surplus cheese. Indoor plumbing was not a privilege he would enjoy until he was nine years old.

At the age of nine he started attending a newly established Baptist Church started by a young minister who would later become a professor who taught theology at two major seminaries in the country. As a result of attending that church and with guidance from his mother and a very special aunt and uncle he came to know Jesus.

After some very confusing and destructive teenage years, Randy returned to his hometown and was married at the age of twenty one and shortly after, they had their first child, Tammy. At the age of 23 he felt the Lord calling him into ministry. After briefly attending seminary he returned to the workforce. He and his wife went on to have two more children, Randy & Amy, all of whom are loved so very much by their mother and father. Over the years he served in several churches that had been planted or revived by the uncle and aunt previously mentioned.

Over the next twenty years he tried his hand at several occupations. He worked construction. He drove semi coast to coast. He and his wife owned and operated a restaurant for eight years while at the same time he held a full time job in a Pittsburgh steel mill. Despite all that man would consider achievements in person's life, he continued to feel incomplete and empty. Always hearing God's call, never sure quite how to respond. After 25 yrs of marriage his world came crashing down. The marriage ended. It was to be the end of life as he knew it. In all this, there was one constant. The call, the quiet gentle voice...

A short time later, Randy would meet Kim. She lived in another state, (Topeka, Ks.) and he was falling in love. He had to make a decision, a decision that would forever change his life. The decision to leave all that he has ever known and loved, the decision to quit a very promising and lucrative job, decisions that some would say would be contrary to rational thinking. Rational is man's way. Sensational, is God's way!

Randy and Kim were married on July 2, 1998. They began attending Northland Christian Church. Randy continued to search for God's will for his life, by serving. He ministered to those in nursing homes and hospice centers. He also became involved in juvenile prison ministry, mentoring to the young incarcerated. While working a full time job he used his weekends and evenings to minister to those who were less fortunate, all the time knowing, "this" was not exactly how God wanted him to serve. Then came the announcement; Northland Christian Church will be taking on a mission church in Central Park. Like many others, he volunteered to help with renovations. The minute he set foot in the building he knew this was his new church home. He continued with his other commitments and helped when he could at Central Park.

In the months to follow, Randy continued to seek counsel from Pastor Rob and Pastor Larry at Northland. In February he sought counsel from Pastor Tim. He told Tim he had no idea what God had for him but he knew that God had told him to declare his desire for service to someone. Tim advised him to first settle this matter with his wife and then continue to pray. Almost immediately, God began to work. In April 2005 Randy's job was terminated. The Lord told him, "do not be afraid, and continue to serve". Immediately Randy began to pour himself into serving in the areas that God had already put into place. Part time (without pay), became full time and the blessings continued to flow. Each act of obedience opened another door, allowing him to grow spiritually and to be blessed beyond measure by meeting with people and sharing their tragedies and triumphs. Literally, each day that passed revealed more of God's intended will for Randy's life. For the next five months each step was uncertain, but he kept hearing, "keep walking and trust me". In God's great wisdom He created needs and He used men and women who would look beyond themselves and truly seek God's direction. As a result of their obedience, Randy came on staff as Associate Pastor of Outreach and Evangelism October 1, 2005. As a result of many prayers, Randy was given the privilege of pursuing his passion of service to our Great God and Savior, The Lord Jesus! God is still in the business of miracles!

As Randy serves at CPCC it is his prayer that he may serve with compassion and love. It is also his prayer that people might see God's wonderful love and grace that is given to all of us through Jesus Christ and that our body of believers will be a light shining in a dark world.