Open Door Baptist Church sits at 350 Chili-Scottsville Road in Churchville, New York, a suburb southwest of Rochester. The congregation's mission, displayed across its materials, is "making disciples through Christ's love at work within us." A multi-generational and multi-cultural body that traces its roots to 1977, Open Door is an autonomous Baptist church whose ministries include Sunday and Wednesday worship services, children's and teen programs, a deaf ministry called Silent Rock, a young adult group called ODYA, life groups meeting in homes and on campus, a women's ministry, a men's Bible study, and a missions program that sends and supports workers on six continents. The church offers ASL interpretation at one of its two Sunday services, livestreams every service, and welcomes first-time visitors with reserved parking near the front entrance.
From a Rochester Apartment to a Chili-Scottsville Campus
Open Door Baptist Church traces its beginnings to 1974, when Tom Hauser and Sam Hannah met in a speech class at Thomas Road Bible Institute in Lynchburg, Virginia. The two young men began street preaching together - Sam sang on street corners in his down-home style while Tom preached to the gathered crowds. After graduation, they and their wives, Char and Pam, agreed to meet in Rochester, New York, to determine whether a new church was needed in the area. Uncertain of God's direction at the time, they departed and agreed to meet again in Rochester on January 17, 1977.
On August 1, 1977, the Hannah family arrived as planned. The Hausers arrived a day late, delayed by a car accident and a fierce winter storm that could not keep them from their destination. The two families settled into an apartment on Thurston Road in the city of Rochester and started a small Bible study there. Tom visited door-to-door during the day while Sam worked at a local restaurant; in the evenings, the two couples went out visiting and managed the teen ministry together, with Char caring for the nursery and Pam teaching the young children.
New York State officially recognized Open Door Baptist Church on August 8, 1977. The congregation appointed its first deacons and moved from the apartment to a rented Seventh Day Adventist building for Sunday and Wednesday services. On June 7, 1980, members of Open Door raised the entire $165,000 purchase price for the former Trinity Emmanuel Lutheran Church at 174 Thurston Road, where Pastor Tom preached the first service. Outreach expanded with Vacation Bible School, Round-Up Sundays, and participation in the annual 19th Ward neighborhood parade. A bus ministry, a deaf ministry, and Word of Life clubs for children and teens took root in those years.
Continued growth led to a new campus. Construction at 350 Chili-Scottsville Road in Churchville was completed in June 1998, and the church dedicated a large addition in June 2007. Members paid off the mortgage on the main building in April 2011 with a mortgage-burning ceremony. The church celebrated its 40th anniversary on August 28, 2017. Founder Tom Hauser is named Pastor Emeritus, alongside Sam Hannah and Bill Finnerty, who served as Senior Pastor before the current Lead Pastor.
Statement of Faith: One God, Three Persons, the Inerrant Bible
Open Door's Statement of Faith opens with a confession that there is one living and true God - an infinite, intelligent Spirit, perfect in all His attributes, in one essence but eternally existing in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. God the Father is confessed as Creator and Ruler of the universe, sovereign in creation, providence, and redemption, saving from sin all who come to Him through the Son. Jesus Christ is confessed as the second person of the Trinity, co-equal and co-eternal with the Father, virgin-born, God incarnate, who lived a sinless life, died on a cross as the perfect sacrifice for sin, rose again after three days, ascended to heavenly glory, and will return again to reign as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. The Holy Spirit is a divine Person, eternal and co-equal with the Father and Son, present in the world to make people aware of their need for Jesus Christ, living in every Christian from the moment of salvation, and giving every believer a spiritual gift.
The church holds that the 66 books of the Bible constitute the complete Word of God, written by human authors under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. As the supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs and living, the Bible is the truth without any mixture of error, and Open Door uses the grammatical-historical-contextual method of interpretation. Salvation is God's free gift, received only by trusting in Jesus Christ; no amount of self-improvement or good works can make up for sin. The redeemed, once saved, are kept by God's power and secure in Christ forever. Heaven and Hell are described as literal, real places of eternal existence.
The church practices two ordinances as visible reminders: the Lord's Supper, taken by saved believers as a time of self-examination, confession, and recommitment; and believer's baptism by immersion, an outward sign of inward faith and obedience. The church holds two scriptural offices: pastors, who shepherd and oversee the local body, and deacons, chosen to serve tables so pastors may devote themselves to preaching, teaching, and prayer.
Open Door confesses a literal six-day creation, a literal Adam and Eve as the parents of all human life, the literal Fall and its curse on creation, and the worldwide Flood and its cataclysmic effect. The church teaches a visible, personal, premillennial return of the Lord to translate His church from this earth. The teaching on marriage defines marriage as a covenant between one biological man and one biological woman and rejects common-law marriage for membership and employment. The teaching on sexuality condemns homosexual acts, adultery, bestiality, and all forms of fornication, and holds that sexuality is assigned by God at birth and may not be altered. Open Door is self-governing, independent from any denominational control.
Weekly Schedule: Sundays and Wednesdays, Plus Life Groups Throughout the Week
Open Door's main weekly rhythm centers on Sunday mornings and Wednesday evenings, with additional Bible studies, choirs, and ministries on Tuesdays and Thursdays and life groups meeting on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.
On Sundays, prayer time begins at 8:30 AM in Room 211. Two identical worship services follow in the sanctuary at 9:30 AM and 11:00 AM, with the 11:00 AM service including ASL interpretation and an on-demand ASL option. Both services are livestreamed, and there is a phone-in line at (585) 540-4777 for live or on-demand listening. Children from babies through fifth grade attend programs in the bkidz and ekidz wings at both service hours, with kidzchurch for first through fifth graders at the 11:00 AM hour. Teens meet for a Teen Worship Service at 11:00 AM in Room 101, and the 9:30 AM hour includes girls' and boys' teen programs in Rooms 101 and 102. Life groups meet on Sundays at various times.
Wednesdays bring equipping courses at noon and 6:30 PM in Room 211. The Interactive Bible Study is offered at both times, with Orphan Care: 101 Course (Room 209), Men's Bible Study (Room 208), and Women's Bible Study (Room 210) all meeting at 6:30 PM. Children and teens have parallel programs at 6:30 PM in the bkidz and ekidz wings and in Rooms 101 and 102 for teens. Choir rehearsal includes kidzchoir (1st through 5th grade) at 6:00 PM in Room 111 and the adult choir at 6:45 PM in the sanctuary.
Tuesdays include a Healing Journey program at 6:30 PM in Room 207 for men and Room 209 for women, alongside life groups. Open Door Young Adults (ODYA) meets every Thursday at 7:30 PM in Fellowship Hall. Life groups also gather on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, both on campus and in homes throughout the area.
What to Expect on a First Visit
Lead Pastor Paul St. Denis and his wife Tabitha greet visitors near the front entrance at the Welcome Desk between Sunday morning services. The Discover 1: Connect Class is the recommended next step for visitors who want to learn about Open Door's beliefs, structure, and vision. Childcare is provided.
Services run approximately one hour and fifteen minutes. Members dress in everything from coat and tie to t-shirt and jeans; the church teaches that the attitude of the heart matters to God rather than physical appearance. Ushers are available to help anyone who has difficulty locating a seat in the Worship Center. Free Wi-Fi is available for Bible apps and church-related activities, with connection information listed in the bulletin.
Visitor parking spaces near the entrance are reserved for guests. Handicap parking is available and a wheelchair lift provides access to the lower level; greeters assist anyone who lets them know of a specific need. For members who live within five miles, the church offers free rides to Sunday morning services; pickup can be scheduled by calling the church office at 585-889-3220 and leaving a message in the rides mailbox.
The 11:00 AM service is interpreted in ASL. Interpreting is also available by request at the 6:30 PM Wednesday service; requests can be submitted through the church's Interpreter Request form. The Silent Rock deaf ministry meets at additional times throughout the year.
Children from Babies Through Fifth Grade
Children's ministry at Open Door is led by Pastor Jonathan "T-Bear" Stansel, who oversees all ministries to children from birth through fifth grade, their parents, and the team of leaders who serve with him. Babies through kindergarten stay in their classrooms both Sunday hours. First through fifth graders spend one hour in a small group classroom and the other hour in kidzchurch, a large-group program designed for their age.
Children are checked in at a kiosk before being taken to their age-appropriate classroom. Time should be allowed to settle children before each service begins. On Wednesdays, bkidz and ekidz classes meet at 6:30 PM in the children's wings, with kidzclub (Pre-K through 5th grade) running the same hour. Angela Schneider serves as Beginner Director and Jason Pielaet as Elementary Director.
Wednesday evenings also include the kidzchoir, a choir for first through fifth graders that rehearses at 6:00 PM in Room 111. Lessons for the children are shared through the Open Door kidz YouTube channel, which streams new lessons at 11:00 AM on Sundays and 6:30 PM on Wednesdays.
Teens in Their Own Service
Pastor Tommy Farmer leads the teen ministry at Open Door, a role he took on after growing up in the church and joining the staff as an intern in 2019. Pastor Tommy and his wife Briana shepherd a ministry that includes a Sunday Teen Worship Service at 11:00 AM in Room 101 for grades 6 through 12, plus separate boys' and girls' teen groups meeting at 9:30 AM in Rooms 101 and 102. Wednesday nights include teen Re-Fuel programs at 6:30 PM in Room 101 for grades 6 through 8 and in Room 102 for grades 9 through 12. Teens also gather in life groups throughout the week.
Pastor Tommy often helps with the media and outreach ministries as well. Online resources for teens are available through the Open Door Teens site.
ODYA: Open Door Young Adults
ODYA is the young adult life group at Open Door for adults ages 18 to 29, including college students, young professionals, and young singles. The group meets every Thursday at 7:30 PM in Fellowship Hall, with the goal of equipping young adults with the Word of God, providing opportunities for fellowship, encouraging ministering within the church, and developing outreach events in the community. The directors are Jordan and Olivia St. Denis. Activities throughout the year include game nights and local outings.
Women's Ministry: Intergenerational and Multicultural
The women's ministry at Open Door is described as intergenerational and multicultural, gathering grandmothers, college-age women, singles, widows, married women with and without children, working moms, single moms, adoptive moms, homeschooling and public-school moms, and a long list of others. The purpose is to live out the church's mission of making disciples through Christ's love at work within us.
Women at Open Door can join in-home Bible studies and book clubs, Sunday School classes, a softball team, Sewing for Children, and various teams and ministries. The women's ministry has its own Facebook page. Women are also active in life groups throughout the week.
Silent Rock: Worship and Fellowship in ASL
Silent Rock is Open Door's deaf and hard-of-hearing ministry, with the mission of bringing the good news of Jesus Christ to the Deaf and hard-of-hearing members of the congregation. Tim and Veronika Talbott serve as the ministry's directors. The church's 11:00 AM Sunday service is interpreted in ASL, and interpreting at the 6:30 PM Wednesday service is available by request. The ministry's name comes from Psalm 18:31: "For who is God, except the LORD? And who is a rock, except our God?"
Silent Rock also hosts an adult life group at 9:30 AM on Sundays in Room 207, where members share, pray, and study God's Word together. Fellowship events and additional Bible studies in ASL are scheduled throughout the year.
Life Groups: Where Real Relationships Form
Life groups are a central part of life at Open Door. The groups are intentionally small gatherings, often meeting weekly or bi-weekly in the home of a group member, usually the leader's home. Some meet at the church or online. Each group centers on the Bible, spending time in fellowship, prayer, and sharing life together.
Groups come in different shapes and sizes to fit different stages of life and interests, including men's and women's Bible studies, a young adults group, and groups for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. Anyone can browse the available life groups online or visit the Welcome Center for a personal fit. Members interested in starting a new group can apply through the church; the church asks that all life group leaders be members of Open Door.
Going: Missions and Outreach Across the Street, the Country, and the World
Open Door's missions focus is to assist pastors in establishing and strengthening indigenous Bible-believing churches throughout the world. The church supports a long list of missionaries serving in countries including India, the Philippines, Kenya, the Dominican Republic, and the United States, with field workers reaching into South Sudanese communities in Tennessee, Native American communities in New Mexico, Inuits in Alaska, and Portuguese-speaking communities in New Jersey, among others. Each missionary provides monthly update letters and is described as being in agreement with the doctrinal statement of Open Door.
The church holds an annual Missions Conference beginning the first Sunday of October, with a flag ceremony, an international dinner, a ladies luncheon, and scheduled sightseeing trips with international guests. Members can invite missionaries over for dinner and other activities. Short-term missions trips are encouraged for all members; past projects have included Bible training, evangelism, medical clinics, Vacation Bible School camps, construction, and orphan assistance. The phrase "When one goes, we all go" reflects the church's conviction that those who cannot travel can still participate through prayer, planning, finances, and encouragement.
Each December, the church collects monetary donations through an Orphans Christmas Tree project to provide orphan children in Haiti, India, Kenya, and Uganda with clothing, shoes, and other supplies. Special ornaments are available with a donation. Project offerings are taken throughout the year to provide funds for one-time missionary needs such as land purchases, church construction, transportation, and audio/visual equipment.
Local outreach includes participation in the annual Chili Community Tree Lighting and Parade of Lights, where members serve free hot chocolate and drive the church bus in the parade. The church also takes part in the annual Chil-E Fest in the town of Chili with a free basketball competition booth and free water. The B.L.E.S.S. Every Home prayer ministry encourages members to pray for neighbors by name, with online maps and sign-up information provided.
Open Door partners with four ministry organizations: International Gospel Missions (IGM), which partners with national pastors around the world; Benjamin Ministries, which ministers to those grieving the loss of loved ones with free bereavement packages and support groups; Caring Choices, which provides support and counseling for crisis pregnancies and receives an annual Baby Bottle Fund Drive; and Gideons International, which distributes printed Bibles in hotels, schools, prisons, hospitals, and more around the world.
Salvation, Baptism, and Membership
Open Door teaches that salvation is God's free gift, received by faith alone through repentance and belief in Jesus Christ. No amount of self-improvement or good works can earn it; salvation is the gift of eternal life. The church offers resources for those who have recently prayed to receive Christ or who would like to speak with a pastor about taking this step, available at the Welcome Desk after any service.
Baptism is the total immersion of a believer in water in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, a public proclamation of faith and new life in Jesus Christ. The church provides a baptismal garment; candidates bring a change of undergarments and a towel. Baptism classes are offered once a month, with applications available at the church kiosks. Baptism does not wash away sin but pictures the gospel - the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ.
Membership at Open Door is described as a confession of faith, an expression of gratitude, a confession of need, and an involvement in God's program. It is a public commitment to Christ and His Church, reflected in tithes, attendance, and ministry involvement. Interested candidates can contact the church office to set up a meeting with a pastor.
Prayer: Praylude, Watchmen, and B.L.E.S.S. Every Home
Prayer is central at Open Door, where the church teaches that prayer is the way believers fellowship with God and how He ministers to them. Prayer is modeled, taught, and practiced throughout the week in several forms. The Praylude gathers in Room 211b on Sunday mornings at 8:30 AM to pray together as the Holy Spirit leads. The Watchman on the Wall is a prayer chain for ministries and leaders and a place to share prayer requests. The Prayer Ministry Team sends prayer request emails to its members. B.L.E.S.S. Every Home is a neighborhood prayer ministry supported online with maps and other resources, encouraging members to pray for neighbors by name.
Library, RightNow Media, and the Church Center App
Open Door maintains a Resource Library with more than 600 titles covering Bible hermeneutics, parenting, marriage, finances, and many other topics. Members can borrow materials at no charge; a full listing is available through LibraryThing.
The church provides free access to RightNow Media, a streaming library of more than 20,000 teaching videos for all ages, covering marriage, parenting, finances, recovery, theology, and doctrine. A separate library of more than 2,000 safe videos is included for children. Discussion guides and handouts are available for many series.
The Church Center App, available for iOS and Android, lets members give and track donations, connect with a life group, join a ministry team, sign up for events, view the church calendar, and access the church directory. The app is free and is the main hub for ongoing engagement at Open Door.
Pastors and Staff
The pastoral team is led by Lead Pastor Paul St. Denis, who grew up at Open Door and returned to the church staff as Youth Pastor in April 2002. He moved into the role of Pastor of Adult Ministry in December 2016 and now serves as Lead Pastor. Pastor Jonathan "T-Bear" Stansel serves as Pastor of Family Ministry, having joined Open Door in 2004 after ten years at Word of Life Fellowship in Schroon Lake, New York. Pastor Jonathan Schallmo serves as Pastor of Worship Ministry; he joined Open Door with his wife and family in 2016 from ministry experience in Virginia and North Carolina, and he holds a Bachelor of Music Education from Lee University and a Master of Arts in Worship Studies and Leadership from Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary. Pastor Tommy Farmer serves as Pastor of Teen Ministry; he grew up at Open Door, joined the staff as an intern in 2019, and was ordained as a pastor at Open Door in the spring of 2024.
Additional ministry staff include Angela Schneider (Beginner Director), Jason Pielaet (Elementary Director), Hank Graf (Media Director), Lewis and Leslie DeVore (Missions Directors), Tim and Veronika Talbott (Deaf Ministry Directors), and Jordan and Olivia St. Denis (Young Adult Ministry Directors). Founders Tom Hauser and Sam Hannah, together with Bill Finnerty, serve as Pastors Emeriti.
The deacon board includes Brian Schneider, Melnard "Mel" Rafael, Gary Collins, Dave Bond, Peter Wilson, Eric Smith, Josh Wiseman, Philip Thompson, Lee Magin, David Slattery, Todd Becker, and Steve Tacconi, each assigned to specific family letter groups.
Open Door's office can be reached at 585-889-3220 or office@opendoorchili.org. The address is 350 Chili-Scottsville Road, Churchville, NY 14428.
Giving
Open Door accepts donations online through the Church Center platform, by text message to (833) 552-2192 using the keyword "GIVE," and in person during the offering collection or through the drop box in the administrative office hallway. Bank account (ACH) and debit card donations are supported; at this time credit card donations are not accepted. Text-to-give supports more than forty fund codes for the tithe, building fund, benevolence fund, missions and outreach, kids ministry, teen ministry, orphans fund, and individual missionaries. Year-end receipts are available for those who use envelopes with their information on the front.