our team

Pastor James, a long time New Haven resident, has been a member of Church on the Rock since its very beginning. Pastor James has faithfully led our outreach team, sanctuary ministry, security, sound team, and men’s ministry. He currently leads the Prison Ministry where he goes into the Cheshire Correctional Facility to share the light and hope of Jesus Christ to those currently incarcerated. Having reached many hearts with the gospel of Jesus Christ both here at Church on the Rock and around the world in countries such as Haiti, Trinidad and Tobago, Mexico, Dominican Republic, and Peru he and his wife Evangelist Gail have seen many lives changed, families restored, and hope renewed as a result of their desire to be used by God and see God’s will be done in the lives of all people. Together Pastor James and Evangelist Gail lead our Marriage Ministry and do much of our pre-marital counseling.

Gail is the Administrative Assistant of our lead pastor and is a licensed evangelist through COTR. Pastor James holds a Theology Degree from Christian Life School of Theology. Together they are proud parents of 4 children, 19 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren.

Dr. Kearse has served as the Senior Pastor of N Street Baptist Church in Louisville, Kentucky and the Macedonia Baptist Church in Heathsville, Virginia. He has also served as an Associate Minister at The First Cathedral, where he taught Biblical Hermeneutics and Exegesis for the Ministers in Training and a class called “The Making of a Leader” for the ministers at The First Cathedral.  Dr. Kearse was also an instructor in The First Cathedral’s New England School of Ministry.  Later, Dr. Kearse was called to pastor the Union Temple Baptist Church in New Haven, CT.  In 2011, Dr. Kearse and his family were led to Church on the Rock in New Haven, CT, where he currently serves as pastor of evangelism.

Dr. Kearse is happily married to Min. Deborah Lynn Kearse, who graduated from the University of Maryland at College Park with a B.A. in English Language and Literature. After working as a research assistant at the Library of Congress for 2 years, Min. Kearse later graduated from the University of Richmond School of Law and currently works at a law firm in New Haven, CT.  She also teaches and serves as the keyboardist for Heart of Worship at Church on the Rock. Dr. Kearse and Lynn are the grateful parents of five children and the grandfather of six.

Solomon Green is a native son to New Haven CT and grew up under the ministry at COTR. He has professionally mentored and served students all over New Haven Public Schools through creative arts and has a heart to see young people discover their true purpose on this earth. After serving the city for several years in the school district, he has been called to lead our XL Youth Ministry, Young Adults and Creative Team that uses arts to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Charles & Ulari Dike

In-Reach Ministry Lay Leaders

Sandra Richardson

administrative assistant

Sandra is married to her husband Roderick
for 27 years. Roderick and Sandra are proud parents of  4 children, 9 great-grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.

Together, they brought to the ministry his 12 years as a manager at SNET and her 12 years as a public school teacher in both the Hamden and New Haven school systems.  Pastor Todd was the chairman on the inaugural Board of Directors for Teen Challenge — New Haven, Inc.. He also chaired the New Haven committee for Mission Connecticut with Luis Palau. He was co-founder of New Haven 828, a local clergy coalition and the founder of the New Haven Help Alliance, a 501c3 organization whose mission involves issues of poverty relief and the the betterment of local youth.

Pastor Leslie left her public school teaching position for the co-pastorate role at COTR. She brought much compassion, wisdom and practical experience to the oversight of the church. In addition to normal sacerdotal duties, Pastor Leslie oversaw personnel administration at COTR. She also coordinated a myriad of women’s ministries and activities for the church.