About Us
Our Leadership Team
Guy was raised in Watertown, CT, and graduated from Watertown High School in 1985. He graduated from Valley Forge University in 1989 where he met his wife, Tana. In 1995, Guy graduated with a Masters Degree from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary and was ordained with the Assemblies of God in 1996. Guy has served as both Associate Pastor and Lead Pastor in his 35 years of ministry. Tana and Guy planted Remix Church in Salem, MA in 2011, and before coming to Willimantic Pastored in Ferrisburgh, Vermont. Guy enjoys reading, motorcycle riding, chess, and listening to music. His favorite fictional author is John Gwynne, and favorite Christian author is N.T. Wright. The Matrix is his favorite movie and favorite bike is a 1999 Harley Davidson Fatboy. Favorite classical music piece is L'Amoroso by Vivaldiand, and his favorite chess opening is the Pirc.
Tana graduated in 1989 from Valley Forge University and was Ordained with the Assemblies of God in 2007. Tana served the Southern New England Ministry Network for 11 years as their District Women’s Director. She has worked for 20+ years in the medical field as a LNA/CNA in the ER, Maternity Wards, Nursing Homes and the Psych Ward. She has served as Kid's Pastor, Discipleship Pastor and Women's Pastor through their many years in ministry. Tana is the author of Wrecked...daily devotions penned by a sinner, that you can purchase on Amazon. She is now in the process of writing her memoir and life story. Tana's life verse is: "He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand!" Psalm 40:2. Tana enjoys a great movie with semi-burnt popcorn, painting and wood burning. She is passionate about eating right and nutrition as well as being in the presence of God.
The Millers have been married and in ministry together for almost 4 decades and they have two adult married children Jonathan (married to Chelsi), and Angela (married to DJ). They are eagerly awaiting grandbabies! Meanwhile, they have two cats, Java and Chino named after coffee!! Guy and Tana LOVE Great Coffee!
Craig Bright,
Men's Ministry
Ruth Rodriguez,
WoMen's Ministry
Ryan Savage,
Building & Grounds
Donald Hart,
Livestream & Production
Patty Lamson,
Small Groups
Katelyn Harrington,
Kids' Life Director
Gail Zaicek,
Missions
Carlos Rivera,
Security
Jonathan Ferreri,
First Aid
Abbi Menear,
Youth Director
Nathan Corr
Donna Mccollum,
Treasurer
Cliff O'Donal
Jeremiah Macht
Ashley Pereira,
Assistant Treasurer
Sara Sabo
Ryan Savage
Nidia Caraballo,
Office Manager and Executive Assistant
Reinaldo DeJesus,
Facilities Custodian
Gail Hardegen,
Administrative Assistant
Statement of Beliefs
- WE BELIEVE...The Scriptures are Inspired by God and declare His design and plan for mankind.
- WE BELIEVE...There is only One True God–revealed in three persons...Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (commonly known as the Trinity).
- WE BELIEVE...In the Deity of the Lord Jesus Christ. As God's son Jesus was both human and divine.
- WE BELIEVE...though originally good, Man Willingly Fell to Sin–ushering evil and death, both physical and spiritual, into the world.
- WE BELIEVE...Every Person Can Have Restored Fellowship with God Through 'Salvation' (trusting Christ, through faith and repentance, to be our personal Savior).
- WE BELIEVE...and practice two ordinances—(1) Water Baptism by immersion after repenting of one's sins and receiving Christ's gift of salvation, and (2) Holy Communion (the Lord's Supper) as a symbolic remembrance of Christ's suffering and death for our salvation.
- WE BELIEVE...the Baptism in the Holy Spirit is a Special Experience Following Salvation that empowers believers for witnessing and effective service, just as it did in New Testament times.
- WE BELIEVE... The Initial Physical Evidence of the Baptism in the Holy Spirit is ‘Speaking in Tongues,’ as experienced on the Day of Pentecost and referenced throughout Acts and the Epistles.
- WE BELIEVE...Sanctification Initially Occurs at Salvation and is not only a declaration that a believer is holy, but also a progressive lifelong process of separating from evil as believers continually draw closer to God and become more Christlike.
- WE BELIEVE...The Church has a Mission to seek and save all who are lost in sin. We believe 'the Church' is the Body of Christ and consists of the people who, throughout time, have accepted God's offer of redemption (regardless of religious denomination) through the sacrificial death of His son Jesus Christ.
- WE BELIEVE...A Divinely Called and Scripturally Ordained Leadership Ministry Serves the Church. The Bible teaches that each of us under leadership must commit ourselves to reach others for Christ, to worship Him with other believers, to build up or edify the body of believers–the Church and to Meet human need with ministries of love and compassion.
- WE BELIEVE...Divine Healing of the Sick is a Privilege for Christians Today and is provided for in Christ's atonement (His sacrificial death on the cross for our sins).
- WE BELIEVE...in The Blessed Hope—When Jesus Raptures His Church Prior to His Return to Earth (the second coming). At this future moment in time all believers who have died will rise from their graves and will meet the Lord in the air, and Christians who are alive will be caught up with them, to be with the Lord forever.
- WE BELIEVE...in The Millennial Reign of Christ when Jesus returns with His saints at His second coming and begins His benevolent rule over earth for 1,000 years. This millennial reign will bring the salvation of national Israel and the establishment of universal peace.
- WE BELIEVE...A Final Judgment Will Take Place for those who have rejected Christ. They will be judged for their sin and consigned to eternal punishment in a punishing lake of fire.
- WE BELIEVE...and look forward to the perfect New Heavens and a New Earth that Christ is preparing for all people, of all time, who have accepted Him. We will live and dwell with Him there forever following His millennial reign on Earth. 'And so shall we forever be with the Lord!
*A complete statement of beliefs can be found at www.ag.org. We affirm the Statement of Fundamental Truths approved by the General Council of the Assemblies of God.
The Mission of the Christian Life Assembly of Believers.
(What we’re Doing)
“Christian Life Assembly of God exists to effectively proclaim the full gospel of Jesus Christ so that we may see people who have no relationship with Christ come to Christ and discover the joy of knowing Him.”
(Matthew 28:19-20, Mark 16:15, Luke 24:46,47)
JESUS CHRIST CAME TO SEEK and to save the lost, we feel compelled to do the same. But Jesus went beyond rescuing people from hell; He wanted to make them fit for heaven. Through various sub-ministries of the church, we desire people not only to meet Christ but also over time, we desire for all believers to become spiritually mature (complete) as evidenced by participation in authentic worship, by serving Christ, by working to reach the world for Christ, by personal spiritual growth, by compassionate servitude, and by a good understanding of Scripture and correct doctrine. (Colossians 1:28)
The Vision of the Christian Life Assembly of Believers.
(Who we’re Becoming)
“Our Vision is to be a biblically multicultural unified body of believers so that the world sees a true and authentic community of believers accomplishing God’s redemptive purposes.”
(Acts 2:40-47, 1 Corinthians 12:13-27)
WE CANNOT FULFILL CHRIST’S MISSION ALONE as individuals. We are not lone-rangers for Christ. We are a church because God wants us to be something together and represent Him with our unified diversity. Our goal together is to further His kingdom in our midst, but we also, in obedience to His Great commission, labor to extend His kingdom worldwide. Our work is not over when we become a biblical community we’re a biblical community so that the world can see God’s love through us.
Our Core Values
These values describe the inner fabric of who we are…
WE believe in God’s timeless and absolute truth for our everyday lives. We believe in the infallible Word of God and believe it is our authoritative guide for faith and for living.
WE live each moment with the awareness that we are in God’s presence. Our life can be fully devoted to Jesus by loving, talking, singing, listening, reading scripture, journaling, and obeying His voice constantly.
WE desire for our church to be intentional and focused on providing effective and relevant ministry to children, youth and the entire family.
WE show God’s love and concern to everyone at every opportunity. The highest honor is becoming friends with someone far from God and helping them become a life-long follower of Jesus Christ who helps someone else do the same. Every soul matters to God.
6. Every Soul Matters to God - We embrace everyone
WE show God’s love and concern to everyone at every opportunity. The highest honor is becoming friends with someone far from God and helping them become a life-long follower of Jesus Christ who helps someone else do the same. Every soul matters to God.
WE show God’s love and concern to everyone at every opportunity. The highest honor is becoming friends with someone far from God and helping them become a life-long follower of Jesus Christ who helps someone else do the same. Every soul matters to God.
WE show God’s love and concern to everyone at every opportunity. The highest honor is becoming friends with someone far from God and helping them become a life-long follower of Jesus Christ who helps someone else do the same. Every soul matters to God.
Christian Life Assembly has a rich and influential history of God’s people loving, caring and reaching the Willimantic/Windham region for Jesus Christ. The church was founded by Pastor Harold D. Hanson in 1952 with the help of a founding member and his wife, Andy and Lou Sabo. On February 14, 1952, Assembly of God Chapel provided their first worship service at 133 Union Street, Willimantic, CT. The welcome card stated, “A Hearty Welcome to ALL and A Place Where The Old Fashioned Gospel is Preached.”
In 1953, Assembly of God Chapel bought the Cardinal Funeral Home on 88 Windham Rd, Willimantic, CT and turned it into their new church and changed their name to “Willimantic Assembly of God Church” in 1954.
August 29, 1959, Willimantic Assembly of God Church dedicated their newly built church located at 143 Windham Rd. Willimantic, CT.
From that point, God continued to add to the church and many lives were influenced and changed. God blessed Willimantic Assembly with several loving and caring pastors. 1952-1960 Pastor Harold D. Hanson, founder; 1960-1972 Pastor Normal Suhl; 1972-1976 Pastor Clarence Willet; 1976-1979 Pastor Thomas R. Brubaker, Jr.; 1979-1984 Pastor Harold Mizner; 1984-1991 Pastor Kenneth Newhook.
Under Pastor Kenneth Newhook’s leadership in 1987, Christian Life Assembly began construction on the new sanctuary due to tremendous growth. Additionally, Windham Christian Academy was established in 1989 and provided a quality education to students (grades 1-8) through 2009.
February 9, 1992 Pastor Dwayne Harper became the new pastor of Christian Life Assembly and the church began to grow exponentially and provided numerous outreaches to the community, especially through the arts and a heavy focus on missions. Pastor Harper pastored CLA for 18 years and built the church through love until his retirement on June 27, 2010.
July 25, 2010 – November 25, 2015 Pastor Dr. Richard D. Lafferty pastored CLA and blessed the church with his rich biblical teachings and his ability to administrate.
January 31, 2016 - June 2023 Pastor Donnie J. Capps pastored CLA
June 2023 - September 2024 Interim Pastor Randal Smith
September 2024 - Present Pastor Guy Miller