I will pick up a little bit about myself relating my call into the Pastorate, starting from the time my wife and I were married. Like all young married couples coming out of the hippie, drug scene, with one child on the way. I could see the need of moral values to give stability to our new family. One day the Jehovah Witnesses came and offered us a bible study, in which we accepted. There was with
in me a search for God, and saw this as God leading me. My wife and I made the decision to become Jehovah's Witnesses. Some years later, after realizing that the world didn't come to an end as they had falsely prophesied would occur in 1975, we became disillusioned with the trustworthiness of the Watchtower org. The demands the Organization put on my family (which now consisted of three daughters) attending five meetings a week and a minimum of 10 hours in field service in order to remain a member in good standing, became a heavy burden. In the midst of this, I worked with a few Christians who were born again. Aside from our discussions that I didn't have answers to, I was given some literature that compared mainline Christian doctrines with that of the Jehovah witnesses. In 1980, after reading the Scriptures, I realized I couldn't be hypocritical by aligning my beliefs with that of the Jehovah's Witnesses. It was at this point my wife and I stopped attending the meetings and found ourselves in a place of spiritual limbo. All of our acquaintances and family members were now estranged from us. For the next three years after our disfellowship, we were in a dark and lonely place. Then one day in August of 1983, the light of heaven shone down on me. I was invited to a home where there were Christians who were formerly JWs and had a burden for them. Prior to meeting them, I had prayed that God would reveal truth to me no matter the cost, even if it would jeopardize my relationship with my wife. That evening I began to discuss (really debate) the identity of who is the real Jesus. That evening I prayed and trusted what the Scriptures said concerning Jesus, that He was God (Jn. 1:1-3, Isa. 9:6, Col. 1:16-18, etc.). The following year was not easy, though. I had problems with my digestive system, dealing with the stress of our finances, my relationship with my wife and my responsibility as a father was putting me into a place of great despair. After being admitted into the hospital in order to rule out internal bleeding, I was released, being diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome. On my way home, I tuned into a talk radio program. It was testimonials of healings that people received — obviously, it caught my attention for what I was seeking God for. Recalling how in my estimation I had failed as a father and husband, I questioned of God, why was I ever born? At that point, the radio host began to pray for people's children, and I prayed to God that for the sake of my children, He would do something. At that moment, I received a baptism of God's love in which He spoke to me that I was loved, special and important. It was a life-altering experience. Not too long afterwards, my family began to experience restoration. I was employed at a state psychiatric facility in which I had opportunities to pray and share my faith with many of the clients. In the late 1980s, my wife and I ventured into a dry cleaning business. As a result of being overly consumed in the business, my spiritual walk with the Lord began to become dry. I realized I was headed for trouble if I didn't change direction. As a result, I resolved to spend my lunch break in repentance and prayer. It was at this point I felt God's call into ministry. While in prayer, the thought came to me to have a Christmas dinner for those in our community. At this point, I wasn't even in a local church. So I started asking myself, where do I start? Who's going to help me? With that, I needed confirmation that this was the direction the Lord was putting me in. Through my wife, she confirmed that it was God's will for us to have this outreach. This was a valuable lesson for me, for once I saw God factored into the equation, He makes the impossible possible. This outreach continued for a few short years more. At this time, I became involved with the ministry called Operation Homeless. We were going to New York City to feed people in need and I began to preach on the streets where we were. It was a very fruitful time. This continued for approximately nine years. At the same time, Marion and I became members of Manorville Community Church, where I served as an elder for approximately six years. Somewhere after 9/11, I began to sense the Lord redirecting me into pastoring, for I felt the need that converts need discipleship. At this time, I began to visit the local halfway houses in my community and hold Bible studies along with another group of Christians. Almost simultaneously, I was asked to consider pastoring at Manorville Community Church while mentoring under a brother in the synod. We tested the waters — that is, we stepped out — but we realized that this was not where the Lord was leading us. And so that brings me up to the inception of Step of Faith. The ministry I served in, Operation Homeless, was where I received my initial ordination from. We incorporated in May 2003. We started to hold meetings at our dry cleaning business and after hours on Sundays. Many of the congregants were usually battling some addiction of some sort. In 2004, we had outgrown our meetings in the dry cleaners. We rented a storefront, where we continue today. In January of 2014, I retired from my secular employment — and by the way, I received my ordination as senior pastor in 2008 from the International Ministerial Fellowship — which brings us up to this present time. On August 4, 2022, my bride and I celebrated our 50th wedding anniversary celebration, which our three children and their spouses gave to us as a gift. God has blessed us with six grandchildren and our cup has truly overflowed, all to the glory of God!
-- Pastor Andrew Bradice, Pastor
