Eddie Cole
Lead Pastor
Eddie grew up in the mountains of East Tennessee and accepted Christ as Savior as a young adult. With a powerful testimony and a passion to tell others about Jesus, he committed his life to vocational ministry and received training for ministry at Liberty University in Lynchburg, VA. While serving Christ in two local churches and preaching in numerous churches throughout the southeast, he sensed a distinct calling to minister in New York City. In 2002, Salem Church called and asked Eddie and his wife, Jessica, to come to do an evangelistic outreach, but in between the time of the invitation and the time of the outreach, Salem found itself without a Pastor. As always, God's timing proved to be providential and since February 2003, Eddie has served as Lead Pastor. His mission in New York is to lead Salem toward being a spiritually dynamic, church planting church. In the meantime he is working toward being the best husband and dad he can be for Jessica and Madison and the completion of a doctorate degree from Dallas Theological Seminary.

Contact: Eddie

Jonathan Kiedrowski
Director of Production
Though he was raised in Staten Island and brought up at Salem Church, Jonathan Kiedrowski brings a fresh insight to the production ministries here at Salem. After attending Hunter College for a year, Jonathan went to Boston to study at the Berklee College of Music pursuing a degree in contemporary writing and production. It was at Berklee that Jonathan felt the call towards a deeper faith and full-time ministry. After leaving Berklee, Jonathan attended Liberty University with a full scholarship for being a part of a traveling ministry team. He has played over 300 concerts in most of the 50 states and now uses that experience to bless the Lord along with the Salem Church family every Sunday. Jonathan oversees our Audio/Video, Web, Music and Marketing ministries at Salem and seeks to provide an outlet of ministry for those who are gifted in the arts. He and his wife Jessica are proud to be a part of what God is doing at Salem Church.

Contact: Jonathan

Larry Miraldi
Associate Pastor
Larry Miraldi has served at Salem Church for more than three decades and has joined the staff as a full time Associate Pastor. He has served as Elder, Adult Bible Class teacher and in other positions of senior leadership at Salem. He was founder and the first director of Upward Basketball, Salem’s hugely popular community outreach, and he started Utopia New York, Salem’s not-for-profit. Before joining the Salem staff, Larry was a journalist and public relations director. He works closely with the Senior Pastor in strategic planning, discipleship and pastoral care. Larry and his wife Sheryl are active in the Staten Island community. They love to spend time with their sons, daughters-in-law and two grandchildren.

Contact: Larry

Michael Bonamo
Director of U.T.O.P.I.A. Ministries
Michael Bonamo was born and raised on Staten Island. He received his bachelor’s degree at the Westbury campus of the New York Institute of Technology and received his Masters in Education from the College of Staten Island. For the past 19 years he has been a teacher, Dean and Assistant Principal in the New York City Public School System. He came to Salem Church in his early twenties looking for people who had the same close relationship with God through Christ that he had. His desire is that through all that we do at Salem, people will come to a saving relationship with Christ, and be strengthened in their walk with Him. Michael is the face and administrator of all the events, camps, dinners, and parties presented though the non-profit organization U.T.O.P.I.A. and his love for the Staten Island community is obvious. Michael and his wife Karen have four children together.

Contact: Michael

Jessica Cole
Director of Worship and Creative Arts
Jessica, a native of Virginia Beach, VA, started ministering at the young age of 15; touring the nation with the group “PJ’s”. She is an alumni of Liberty University, where she also served as the Director of Music for Light Ministries (the missions department of Liberty). She has been a featured vocalist for the Old Time Gospel Hour, The Louisiana State Southern Baptist Convention, and has appeared on the Sky Angel Network. Jessica has sung all over the world proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ. She now has the privilege to proclaim the good news by leading worship at Salem Church to well over 30 nations represented inside Salem’s walls each week. It is Jessica’s passion for every believer to realize the freedom and joy of proclaiming God’s worth to an Audience of one!

Contact: Jessica

Kirsten Jerlin
Choir Director
Kirsten Jerlin is originally from Long Island, New York. She holds a Bachelors of Music Degree from the Crane School of Music, SUNY Potsdam, and a Masters of Science Degree in Special Education from Hunter College, CUNY. Before becoming Salem's Choir Director, she taught music at various pre-schools and elementary schools. After looking for a church home for several years, Kirsten and her husband Edward finally found Salem Church. She and Edward have ministered together with music over the years and are thrilled to be a part of Salem's music  ministry. When Kirsten began directing the choir, she laid out a vision for them to glorify God through musical worship, to encourage and nourish the body, and to help lead the church to the throne of God. With the Lord's help, Kirsten is looking forward to continue serving with the choir and wherever else He may lead her. She and Edward have two children, Megan and Lauren.

Contact: Kirsten

Lynore Rerick-Bruno
Community Outreach Coordinator
As the Community Outreach Coordinator Lynore facilitates the ministry of service to the Staten Island community through various events and programs in order to demonstrate the love of Jesus Christ. She welcomes visitors to Salem Church and encourages them to use their gifts in a life of Christian service. Lynore teaches our Evangelism Explosion course for those who would like to become more proficient at sharing the gospel. She believes her best way to show others the love of Christ is through practical works of mercy and a clear presentation of the hope that Christ has given us. Lynore has a B.A. in Psychology from SUNY Albany and a J.D. from Fordham Law School.

She is married to Frank Bruno and they have six children.

Contact: Lynore

Gina Sottile
Director of Children's Ministries
Gina will be finishing her B.A in Health Science @ Brooklyn College, and she's thankful for the leadership at Salem allowing her to grow into the role of Children's Ministry Director. Kids make her smile, and she loves when she sees little ones worship God with their whole being. She loves Salem's phrase "Passion for God, Compassion for people" Gina says, "once we are transparent with a transcendent God, then can we be authentic with others. Just like the Velveteen Rabbit discovered in the classic tale; his owner's love is what made him real. Read the book, its cute!" God's word says "This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for[c] our sins. 1 John 4:9. She hopes to bring a creative flair to the ministry while collaborating with a team that embraces the idea, seeking new ways to reach children for Christ. "No work goes unnoticed by the King", and three cheers for volunteers!

Contact: Gina

Cheryl Syvertson
Administrative Assistant
Cheryl has served at Salem as our Administrative Assistant for many years. If you call or visit Salem during the week, she will most likely be the first person you meet or speak with and can assist you with any general questions or needs.

Contact: Cheryl