Our History
Founding Pastor Pete and Deb Miller came to LeRoy with their young family in 1984 with a word from the Lord in his heart to begin a charismatic church in the center of the village. The vision the Lord gave him was that one day there would be a Spirit-filled church of 500 people in this community. They began a Bible Study in their small apartment, advertised, invited, evangelized, and eventually incorporated the church in September of 1986.
Over the years, Living Waters rented space in many places, including other church buildings, a storefront on Mill Street, and even in the Jello Factory (you had to be pretty smart to find us in those days.) Eventually, the church purchased a 3-story mansion on Trigon Park near the school, turning the Steinmetz Funeral Home into a worship center, with Pastor Miller’s family residing on the 3rd Floor.
In March of 2001, Pastor Jack & Sandy Hempfling began pastoring Living Waters. Two years later the church sold the Trigon Park property and began meeting in the Leroy Matla Theatre, with the aroma of Dollar Movie popcorn still floating in the air from movies the night before. In December of 2005, the church finalized the purchase of the property, providing a long-term home with room to grow, right in the center of the community.
After 20 years of leading Living Waters, Pastor Jack passed the baton of leadership to Pastor Jim and Mari-Lee Ruddy as the Hempflings transitioned to leadership roles with Youth With A Mission in Denver, Colorado. Pastor Jim and his wife Mari-Lee are passionate about the life and health of the local church, intent on discipling believers to become fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ.
Over the years, Living Waters church has touched the lives of our community’s youth through summer camp, youth conferences, missions, and a dynamic youth ministry. The church has also been very active in missions, supporting and sending missionaries throughout the world including New York City, Guatemala, Cuba, England, Thailand, Kenya, Uganda, Japan, China, Mexico, and Kazahkstan.
Our Affiliation
Living Waters Church is an affiliated church with Elim Fellowship of Lima, NY.
Elim Fellowship began in 1933 as an informal fellowship of churches, ministers and missionary endeavors, developing from individuals trained at Elim Bible Institute & college. Being of Pentecostal conviction and Charismatic orientation, Elim Fellowship has grown in its vision as a Christ-centered worldwide revival fellowship serving pastors, churches, missionaries and other Christian ministers. Elim Fellowship provides assistance to missionaries and overseas outreaches, credentials for ministers, counseling for individuals and churches, and a variety of support ministries to local churches.
Elim Fellowship provides encouragement, guidance, advice, leadership training, and other service to affiliated churches and credentialed ministers and missionaries. Elim’s approach is encouragement without control. In the case of a problems within the church, our affiliation allows the church to receive guidance and input from Elim to help resolve the conflict in a manner that will promote health and fruitful ministry.