Our Staff

  • John Elmer
    Lead Pastor

    John grew up in Camillus and graduated from Bishop Ludden High School. He has lived in all kinds of places including; NYC, Pittsburgh, Bangkok and LA. He is a huge yankees fan and really enjoys coaching people.

  • Chris Goral
    Assistant Pastor

    Chris Goral has been a part of the Syracuse Vineyard for 16 years. She has 3 children and 6 grandaughters. The ministries she works with are Small Groups, Prayer, the Bookstore and Adult education.

  • Tim Wheeler
    Staff Pastor

    Tim Wheeler has been a pastor at the Vineyard since 2006. He oversees outreach and helping people find ways to serve using their gifts. Tim also oversees church building and maintenance. Tim and his wife Melissa are raising three rambunctious little boys in Solvay.

  • Adam Coates
    Staff Pastor

    Adam and his wife, Erica, are from South Carolina. They moved to Syracuse in May 2006 and connected with the Vineyard the first weekend they were in New York. The Coates have been here ever since and it has been a great place for them to grow in faith and community.

    Adam is staff pastor here at the Vineyard and oversees the Camp Ridge Top children's program for infants through fifth-graders and he also oversees the Senior High Teenage program for ninth through twelfth-graders. If you have any questions about these programs, please let him know. He is so glad you are checking us out!

  • Gwen Elmer
    Staff Pastor

    Gwen Elmer has been married to John Elmer for over 25 years and has three great kids; Josh, 22 married to Sarah, Jenni 20 and a Junior in college and Dave 17 a junior in high school. Gwen is a Registered Nurse and has a Masters Degree in Public Health. She overseas the host team, hospitality team, and safety team and is involved in other areas. She loves hiking, running and hanging out with her family.

  • Eddie Feliz
    Junior High Co-ordinator

    Eddie and his wife, Alisha, have been attending the Vineyard for 7 years and have found it to be the "biggest blessing in our lives". The "come as you are and be loved" environment allowed for them to strengthen their marriage and step out in faith to oversee the 6-8 grade middle school kids for the last 4 years. With their 2 boys in tow we have been blessed to encourage and help in the spiritual development of many teens and preteens into a relationship with the Lord. He's Whats Up!!

  • Hye Sung Kim
    International Pastor

  • Sarah Elmer
    Artistic Director

    Sarah Elmer has been attending the Vineyard since she was twelve and has certainly found a home among the warm and friendly faces here. Sarah recently got married to her best friend Josh in August of 2007. Some of her favorite things are singing, acting, creating and helping people find out how to use their "favorite things" to bring people into relationship with Jesus. "I hope that you enjoy your time spent here, make sure you say hi!"

  • Nancy Kaleta
    Office Manager/John's Assistant

    Nancy has been attending the Vineyard for 13 years and has been part of the support staff for 12. Nancy and her husband Bill have two children in college and are enjoying the “empty nester” phase of their lives. Nancy serves on the Host Team and gets a kick out of helping people have a good first experience at the Vineyard.

  • Shelly Johnson
    Bookkeeper/Partnership Co-ordinator

    Shelly has been part of the Syracuse Vineyard since 1999. Having grown up in New England, and being a Red Sox fan, she adds balance and reason to an otherwise mostly Yankee-crazed staff. As a staff member, Shelly is the church bookkeeper, coordinator of the Partnership program and director of the Vineyard Ladies Fellowship. She also teaches a weekly woman’s Bible study. Her passion is to help others grow in their relationship with Jesus.

  • Dana Urena
    Receptionist/Administrative Assistant

    Dana has been attending the Vineyard for about 8 years. She works at the front desk in the church office, if you stop by or call she will do her best to help you. Dana is also the administrative assistant to Adam Coates.

  • Matthew Jones
    Administrative Assistant/Video Guy

    Matthew Jones and his wife Jaime are originally from Virginia. Matthew is an assistant to three of the pastors and also does the video work. He also serves on the Tech. Team and enjoys the technical side of the church.

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