Pastor Leo Pagliei
 
I was not raised in a Christian home, but the home had a Christian flavor; meaning, we would go to church on the big holidays such as Christmas, Easter, and maybe once in between. I remember though, what the Sunday school teachers said, and each time we attended church, a few the seeds of truth and faith were planted in my heart. Sadly, I had absentee parents, so my friends became my extended family, and their influence on my life weighed heavily on my life’s decisions: and not all of those were so great. In 7th grade, we began drinking alcohol, and by 9th grade, we progressed to drugs. By 10th grade, I became quite nervous, because we as a group decided that in reality, we would use any drug that was presented to us. By this time, the fun of the drugs and alcohol had diminished, and I began seeking the God of creation. I was using the phone in a phone booth one night, and while speaking, I picked up a Billy Graham tract that someone had put there. I put the tract in my pocket without really thinking about it. When I got home I emptied my pockets, and there was the tract. I sat down and read it, and at the end it asked a few questions that spoke to me. Do you want peace in your heart; do you want joy in your soul? Well, yes and yes I said. I said the sinners prayer in my bedroom while all alone, and I felt no change. I shrugged my shoulders and left the room. God’s Holy Spirit was upon me by this time though, and as I walked into my living room, I felt I should get on my knees and pray again. I cried out to God. I told Him what I felt: how I felt I was so alone: how I felt like I was in a deep pit and couldn’t reach the top to get out. His Spirit descended upon me in an amazing fashion, as for the first time in my life, I felt His presence: I felt peace in my life like I had never known before.
Position: Pastor of Spiritual Care Ministry
Spouse: Melody
Married Since: 1971
Number of Children: 2
Children’s Names: Heather and Holly
Saved Since: 1968
On Staff Since: 2011
Previous Work Type: USAF, Aerospace Engineer, Pastor, Federally Registered Chaplain, Business Owner