Our Leadership
The Leadership Team of Catalyst Church is responsible for defining and defending the vision and mission of Catalyst Church. This group of individuals seeks to serve the Lord together toward the glorification of God, the building up and the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, and the transformation of every man, woman, and child in Central New York. Each member brings their own history, background, gifts, struggles, and victories for the sake of unity at Catalyst Church even as each person that serves is quite different than the other. As a point of intentional focus, the Leadership Team assumes the role as an overseeing entity as each member of the team is responsible to resource and encourage a Ministry Team and its leader.
The Leadership Team (from Left to Right)
Ryan Issakainen, a native of Syracuse, NY, is a Vice President at First Trust Portfolios. He has a Master of Old Testament Exegesis from Wheaton College and is passionate about seeing the story of God weaved in both Old and New Testaments. Ryan’s responsibility is to oversee the Formation Team which includes Community Groups, leadership development, and other discipleship oriented ministries. He is married to Lauren and they have two children—Abigail and Joshua.
Stephen Barnes, a resident at Upstate Medical University, works as an anesthesiologist. He has spent much of his life and ministry within the Presbyterian Church (PCA). He brings a great deal of wisdom and passion to the Leadership Team. Stephen is responsible to oversee our Finance and Administrative functions. He is married to Elizabeth and they have two children—Caroline and Harrison.
Michael Mazzye, Pastor of Catalyst Church, helped plant our church with the help of a group of faithful partners in the Spring of 2008. He has spent most of his life in Syracuse and calls it “home”. After graduating from Oswego State University with a B.S. in Accounting, Michael pursued theological training at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in Massachusetts (2004). His first call to pastor was given by First Baptist Church of Wolcott, NY where he served from 2004-2007. His focus is overseeing the Connection Team and Catalyst Kids & Youth Team while generally overseeing the body as a whole at Catalyst. He is married to Doreen and they have three children—Evelyn, Annika, and Silas.
Paul Valenti, a resident of Syracuse, owns his own events/catering business called BDR Events, Inc which is run at the Palace Theater. God has grabbed his heart and his marriage in the last decade and he has grown passionate about seeing God work mightily in marriages. He is passionate about outreach and connecting with a world that needs Christ. Therefore, his main responsibility is to oversee our Extension Team which exists to do just that—reach out toward life transformation in Central New York. He married to Sarah and they have two children—Bella and Roman.
Kent Mangham, recently moved from Georgia, is a finish carpenter on staff with PEC, Inc in Syracuse. He comes from a Christian & Missionary Alliance background being shaped by a family who has historically been in vocational ministry. Kent formerly served as a Youth Pastor in Ohio and is credentialed by the CMA. As a gifted singer and musician, Kent oversees the Experience Team which helps create Christ-Exalting worship services each Sunday morning. He is married to Kelly and they have five children— Abigail, Adam, Olivia, Gabriel, and Ezekiel.
l-r: Issakainen, Barnes, Mazzye, Valenti, Mangham