Open Arms Staff

John Mulligan – Pastor

Pastor John is a native New Yorker and was employed for a dozen years in the financial services and computer software industry in Manhattan and New Jersey prior to ministry.  He holds a BS in Marketing from Kean University, Union NJ; and a Master of Divinity from Mid-America Seminary, Schenectady, NY. 

John has been at Open Arms nearly from its beginning in the Fall of 1992.  He was first a member as a seminary student, then associate pastor and then called as pastor in 1994.  His passion is people. He loves to teach God’s word in a practical way and watch its life changing truths come alive in people’s hearts and minds.  John and his wife Danielle have two children.

Kevin Rogers – Pastor/Associate

Pastor Kevin is a native Californian who first came to the area to serve with a local church in the inner-city of Schenectady and also worked with men at the YMCA residency program in Schenectady, NY.  He received a B.A. in music from California Baptist University and a Master of Divinity from Mid-America Seminary in Schenectady, NY. 

Kevin has been on staff at Open Arms since 2000 and has a passion for using music to honor God and to impact people.  He also has a desire to invest in relationships and to encourage and influence others to grow in their love for God and others.  Kevin and his wife Jackie have two children.

Shaun McDonald – Pastor/Student Ministry

Shaun grew up in the capital region and graduated from Mohonasen High School in Rotterdam.  At the age of 22, his life changed dramatically when he became a follower of Jesus Christ.  Shaun has been involved in youth ministry since 2004 and is a graduate of Mid-America Seminary in Schenectady, NY. 

Shaun joined the staff of Open Arms as Student Pastor in 2008.  He has a passion for young people in the community; both inside and outside the church.  Shaun, his wife Christine and their daughter Olivia Jean live in Rotterdam.

Mike Lucas – Director/Jr. High Students

Mike is a native New Yorker who moved to the Schenectady area in 1989. He spent 17 years managing restaurants including his favorite “Chuck E Cheese”, and 16 years in life insurance industry customer service.

Mike and his family began attending Open Arms in 1996.  Almost immediately he got involved in ministering to children through the church.  Mike came on staff in 2001 and has a passion to help kids of all ages know that God’s grace is real and powerful.  He has been involved in teaching children’s classes, going to kids camp, teaching “Kids Korner” at weekend services and of course playing lots of games.  Mike and his wife Kathy have 4 children.

Molly St. John – Director/Kid's Church

Molly is originally from Utica, New York, and has called Rotterdam her home for the past 25 years. She was employed full time at a local church for 10 years, and currently works at Mid-America Seminary.  Molly and her family have attended Open Arms since 2008 and she came on staff in January of 2011.

She has a passion to teach children about God and reach out to families in the community with the love of Jesus.  Molly and her husband Dave have four children.

Ann was born and raised in Schenectady County and has lived in Rotterdam since the age of 4.  She earned an Associates Degree in Business Administration and has been an office manager for over 20 years, currently working as an Office Manager for a local dentist office as well.

Ann has attended Open Arms since 2001 and has been on staff since 2005.  She has a passion for excellence and efficiency and enjoys using her God-given talents at Open Arms.  Ann and her husband Mark have two adult children and one grand-child.