New York School of Urban Ministry
Our Board Members
At NYSUM
Rev. Paul Johansson
Co-Founder & Chairman
Paul and Gloria Johansson have been serving God together for over 52 years. Their ministry has included pastoring, women's leadership, missionary service in Kenya, Dean of Students and President (12 years) of Elim. In 1984 they co-founded the New York School of Urban Ministry. Presently, they are involved in traveling among the churches, both home and abroad, holding leadership seminars for pastors and Christian workers. They are now living in Hampton, Virginia and have two children and four grandchildren.
Rev. Peter M. DeArruda
President
Rev. Peter DeArruda is an ordained minister in New York City where he and his wife, Darleen, serve as urban missionaries for the past 34 years with the New York School of Urban Ministry. Rev. DeArruda became Elim Fellowships first Home Missionaries in 1987 and serves on the Council of Elders Board for Elim Fellowship, Lima, NY. He became the Executive Vice President of NYSUM in1994 and was elected at NYSUM’S President in 2017. He has studied at Zion Bible Institute, is a graduate of Elim Bible Institute in 1980, and earned his B.A. degree in religion & philosophy from Houghton College in 1981. He has served the body of Christ for over 37 years in diverse ministry capacities such as youth pastor, pastor, evangelist, and presently, an urban missionary.
Since 1987, he has been actively involved in spearheading and leading urban outreaches as well as evangelism training with the New York School of Urban Ministry. He has been instrumental in bringing vision and challenge to city churches in mobilizing the body of Christ for urban ministry. He is a Bible teacher in several ethnic NYC churches and is also an instructor at NYSUM.
Rev. DeArruda provides leadership for those coming to New York City to be trained in ministry from other mega-cities throughout the U.S. and Canada—with the purpose of motivating and equipping churches to reclaim their own city for Christ! He also serves as a mentor in urban ministry for many local churches in New York City, providing support, resources and guidance to urban pastors and churches through years of relationship and experience.
He has traveled and spoken in several foreign countries for pastors’ conferences, crusades and church meetings. As a missionary to New York City, he is a speaker for mission’s conferences, men’s retreats, crusades in the United States and in urban centers throughout the world.
Peter is happily married to his wife, Darleen, of 40 years and has two beautiful daughters, Christina & Stefanie.
Rev. Dr. Carlos Velez
Secretary
Rev. Carlos Velez has served in Pastoral Ministry for over 35 years. For 21 years he has been the Assistant Pastor of Evangel Church in Long Island City, NY. He has served at Nyack College for an extensive amount of time as well. For 16 years he was an Assistant Professor and now serves as head of Pastoral Ministry at the College. Rev. Carlos received his B.A from SUNY Empire College, his M.A in Old Testament Studies from ATS, and his PHD from Trinity Theological Seminary. Dr. Carlos has been ordained with the Assemblies of God for 32 years. He and his wife Miriam (who serves as Assistant Professor of Childhood Education at Nyack College) live in PA and have been blessed with 2 children and 5 grandchildren.
Rev. Cecil Henry
Cecil Henry is the senior pastor at Calvary Community Church in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, New York since 1989. Rev. Henry and his wife Gerda Henry are committed to reaching the unsaved with the Gospel of Jesus Christ and impacting the lives of others to recognize, develop and utilize their gifts and talents for the betterment of themselves and our community. They have been instrumental in the organization and facilitation of anti-drug rallies, community awareness initiatives such as voting and blood drives and community annual festivals.
Rev. Dr. Charles Hammond
Charles Hammond joined Nyack College & Alliance Theological Seminary in 2005 as Assistant to the President, Dr David Schroeder. Currently under President Dr. Michael Scales, Rev Charles serves as Vice-President for Church Relations and Dean of the Chapel. He has also been an Associate Pastor at Brooklyn Tabernacle since 1988 to the present. Rev. Charles is on several non-profit boards in the tri-state area as well.
He earned his B.S in Business Administration from NYU, a Masters of Professional Studies from Alliance Theological Seminary in Urban Ministry, and a Doctorate degree from Trinity College of the Bible and Trinity Theological Seminary in Newburgh, Indiana.
Dr Charles Hammond has been married to his wife Myrna Marie Hammond since 1981. They have two grown children, Charles III and Melinda. He and his wife have been blessed with two granddaughters, Tekoa Jolie Hammond and Avery Hammond. They have 1 great grandson named Jax as well.
Mr. Henry Fuksman
Rev. Marlinda Ireland
Rev. Timothy S. Holmes
Timothy has over 40 years of construction experience in a vast amount of fields. He has hands on experience building churches and ministry related buildings while also serving in supervisory roles in various projects. Tim has a gift of helping churches bring their ideas and concepts to life in the field of construction.
In 1982 he earned a BA from Bible Central College. He is now serving as an Associate Pastor at Christian Life Assembly in Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania. He is actively involved with mission building in Malawi and Zambia, Africa. Tim is also the principal of Church Construction, Inc.
Mr.Mike Hamilton
Mr. Mike Hamilton ABR, GRI, is a licensed Associate Real Estate Broker and Branch Manager who began his real estate career in 1995. Known for his passion, perseverance, and commitment to simplicity, Mike strives to exceed his clients’ expectations while helping them achieve their real estate goals and successfully move forward in their lives. In addition to his professional work, Mike attends Bethel Fellowship Church in upstate New York. He also served NYSUM for many years, actively leading and participating in urban ministry outreaches and helping to mobilize churches for volunteer work trips for our campus upgrades.
