Pastor Anthony & Miriam

Pastors Anthony and Miriam Fleming met in 1999 at Liberty University, in Lynchburg, VA. Anthony, who was born and raised in Australia, graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Marketing. Miriam, originally from New Jersey, graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology. A few years later they moved to Sydney, Australia where Miriam became a student at Hillsong International Leadership College and Anthony became part of their “Faith Works” program.

Upon completion of their studies, they soon felt God’s direction to move back to New Jersey to plant a church. Both Anthony and Miriam were ordained pastors in April 2005 through the Portuguese ministry (Igreja Evangelica O Bom Pastor) led by Miriam’s father, Antonio Leonardo for over 30 years. Pr. Antonio Leonardo has planted multiple churches both within the United States and internationally and presently pastors a Portuguese speaking church in Kearny, NJ.

Church Alive started off as a small home group in October of 2004, and had its first public church service in Kearny, NJ on January 30, 2005. After two years in Kearny, the church relocated to Rutherford and had its grand opening service in September 2007. After outgrowing a few different venues in Rutherford, Church Alive launched its new location in Lyndhurst, NJ in October 2018 to make room for more people as the church continues to grow and flourish.

From the age of 19, Anthony believed he was called to preach God’s word. Since then, he has had a great passion to grow in his relationship with God, and see others come into a life changing connection with Jesus Christ. Pr. Anthony is presently in the process of furthering his studies in the area of Pastoral Leadership this year to continue growing as a Pastor and a leader.

From a very young age Miriam felt the call of God on her life in the area of ministry as well. Being in a pastor’s home her whole life enabled her to get a heart for God’s work and His people. Miriam co-pastors with Anthony and shares God’s word from one-on-one discipleship to church-wide services.

Pastors Anthony and Miriam have a passion for loving God, loving people, and loving life! Their greatest desire is to see all people have a life-changing connection with Jesus Christ. Their desire is to convey to the people of Church Alive how to live life abundantly in all areas of life through creating a contemporary church culture that is full of the wisdom, power and love of God!