Before last week, Rev. Randy Czyz had never heard of Word of Life Church in New Hartford, even though he’s the lead pastor at the similarly named Word of Life Assembly of God Church in Baldwinsville.
“It’s a very small, independent church,” Czyz said. “I know of at least three others [called Word of Life] n the Schroon Lake area out near Albany, and they’re not associated with us, nor are they associated with the one in New Hartford. But people are assuming that all Word of Life churches are connected. They’re not.”
Czyz is particularly concerned that people understand that the churches are not connected now, after 19-year-old Lucas Leonard was allegedly beaten to death inside the New Hartford church last week. His brother, Christopher, 17, remains hospitalized with serious injuries. New Hartford Police say members of the Word of Life Christian Church in Oneida County, including the boys’ parents, assaulted the boys to force them to confess their sins.
In the wake of the tragedy, Czyz said his church, located at 12 E. Oneida St., Baldwinsville, has received threats from people who assume it is associated with the one in New Hartford.
“We’ve been getting harassing threats and some pretty foul language. People are very upset, and I understand why they’re upset,” Czyz said. “I’m upset, too, but I’m trying to clear the air.”
He said he and the other staffers at the church have received threats of bodily harm. He wanted to make sure people were aware that the Baldwinsville house of worship is in no way associated with the New Hartford church.
“Word of Life Assembly of God Church, nor any other Assembly of God church, does not have any affiliation whatsoever with the independent Word of Life Church in New Hartford,” he said. “We are a denomination affiliated with the General Council of the Assemblies of God from Springfield, Missouri.”
Czyz said he and the rest of his staff were stunned by the events in New Hartford.
“This horrible event has hit us all very hard, thinking a church would do such things,” he said.
He said it’s not just locals assuming a connection to the New Hartford location; national news outlets have called seeking comment, as well.
“CNN called Thursday, and they were just indignant about it. They treated my secretary very rudely [and accused the church of] covering stuff up,” he said. “But we’re not connected to that church, so we really don’t know anything about it at all.”
Czyz said the Word of Life Assembly of God Church has been in Baldwinsville for 35 years.
“We’ve served this community for a long time, and we have a great relationship with the community,” he said. “I’m assuming people know we’re not associated with that church. But I still don’t want anyone to think it, especially over the next few days and weeks as it’s in the news. I don’t want them to think that at all.”
