Our Team

The team at Northside Church

Lead Pastor

Christopher J. Cali

Christopher was born and raised in Baldwinsville, New York. He attended the State University of New York at Oswego where he first was called into the ministry. Chris served as a youth and young adults pastor in Cicero, New York before moving out to Portland Oregon where he assisted in the planting of the Well Church. Due to the distance from home and his family Christopher decided to move back to the east coast. During the move, Chris decided to attend law school. He graduated from Suffolk University Law School in 2005 and since 2007 has served as a corporate Chief Legal Officer.

In 2017, Christopher again felt the call to ministry. Sensing this call he returned to school and attended Reformed Theological Seminary where he pursued his Doctor of Ministry degree. In 2023, he was elected by Northside Baptist Church to be their new Lead Pastor. Today, Christopher serves as the Lead Pastor of Northside Church in Liverpool and as CEO of Coram Deo Ministries. Chris is married to his wife Ashley, and they have three daughters, Izabella, Piper, and Hayden.

Life Verse

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.” – John 1:1-5

John 1:1-5

Coming Soon

Executive Pastor

Greg Cunningham

Coming Soon

Life Verses

Coming Soon

Associate Pastor, Operations/Young Adults

Chris Heimerle

Chris serves as an Associate Pastor at Northside Church. He is our Director of Operations as well serves with the Young Adult Ministry. Chris has formally served with Word of Life Bible Institute in Pottersville, NY for 5 years and now at Northside. Chris began at Northside in April, 2021.

Chris married his high-school sweetheart, Cara, in October 2020. They both grew up on Long Island and now have a dog named Addie. He holds a BS in Religion: Biblical and Theological Studies from Liberty University and a Biblical Studies Diploma from Word of Life Bible Institute. He also hopes to finish his M.MIN from Cedarville University in the fall of 2024.

Life Verse

“But the king said to Araunah, “No, but I will buy it from you for a price. I will not offer burnt offerings to the Lord my God that cost me nothing.” So David bought the threshing floor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver.” – 2 Samuel 24:24

2 Samuel 24:24

Matthew 28:19-20

family Pastor

Jon North

Jon was born and raised in Phoenix, New York. He attended Liberty University for his bachelor’s degree in business management and his master’s degree in religion and leadership. Jon served as a youth pastor in Cicero, New York for a period of time before moving down to Cortland, New York to plant a church in 2014. Jon had served as the lead pastor of the church plant (The Chapel) for the past 9.5 years.

Jon has recently joined the staff here at Northside as the Family Pastor. He is excited to serve in that role alongside of his wife Shelby and two children Kinsley and Judah.

Life Verses

“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” – Matthew 28:19-20

First Impressions Pastor

Scott LeClair

Pastor Scott started serving in formal ministry at Northside 8 years ago, after serving in a volunteer capacity for over 20 years at various churches.

He and his wife, Jill, have been married for over 30 years. They have two lovely daughters. Adyson married Zach in 2020, and Micah.
Pastor Scott holds a BS in Psychology from SUNY Cortland and an MS in Counselor Education from Syracuse University.

Life Verse

“For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” – Mark 10:45

Mark 10:45

Romans 1:16-17

Student Pastor

Kip Gingrich

Pastor Kip is the Student Pastor for students from 6th to 12th grade. He has served in ministry since 2008.
Kip and his wife, Rebecca, have been married for over 20 years. They have three children, Kipper, Lily, and Sienna. “We have been blessed to raise them in the church and see our first two children already begin their journey into adulthood, with our youngest daughter on her way.”

Pastor Kip holds an AAS degree in nursing from Saint Joseph’s College of Nursing and a BS in Biology from LeMoyne. He also has completed his Master’s in Ministry from Cedarville. “I spent the first half of my life in health care where I worked as a critical care nurse. Those years have greatly benefited me and prepared me to continue to care for the spiritual needs of those I minister to.”

Life Verses

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.” – Romans 1:16-17

Pastoral Care Pastor

Jeff O’Brien

Pastor Jeff was born in Boston, the son of Dave & Joan O’Brien. Growing up, he lived in Cleveland, Ohio; Syracuse, NY and Pelham, New Hampshire.

On October 31, 1982, he left New Hampshire on a motorcycle heading for California to eventually get to New Zealand. The Lord changed his plans and he found himself living in Seminary, Mississippi for 3 years. Jeff had received Christ in front of his television set before leaving New Hampshire. Pat Robertson gave an invitation on TV and Jeff received Jesus as his Savior.

He went to Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary in Memphis, Tennessee, and attended Bellevue Baptist Church where Pastor Adrian Rogers was the Pastor. There he met his wife, Debbie. They were married in 1988 and have two children Christie and Jeffrey.
Pastor Jeff came to Northside in 1994 and has served in many capacities. Currently, he leads our Pastoral Care ministry. This includes hospital and nursing home visits and contacting those who have attended Northside to see if they have questions about their visit.

Life Verses

“Trust in the Lord with all you heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.” – Proverbs 3:5-6

Proverbs 3:5-6

John 3:30

Pastor to Pastors

Bruce Aubrey

Pastor Bruce Aubrey was born in New York and was raised in the countryside. His father was a farmer. Bruce trusted in Jesus at the age of 14 and was called to ministry at the age of 17. He has served on staff in churches for more than 45 years, including as the Senior Pastor of Northside Church in Liverpool, New York for 30 years. He has a bachelor’s degree from Roberts Wesleyan College, a Master of Divinity from Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary, and a Doctor of Ministry from Liberty University.

Bruce taught for 15 years as an adjunct instructor at Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary and 3 years at Davis College. Bruce has served as President of the Baptist Convention of New York, and a trustee for 10 years at Gateway Seminary. Bruce has been married to Kathy for 40 years. They have four children and 14 grandchildren. His life mission is to inspire people to know Jesus.