Elder Terrance Simmons 

Elder Terrance Simmons is the son of Mother Blonnie Brown.  He has one sister, Missionary Rontasia Galvin and one brother, Eriksen Simmons.

Elder Simmons became a member of Redeem Church of God in Christ at the age of five under the leadership of the late Superintendent William Jones.  You would find Elder Simmons as a young boy singing, dancing and praising the Lord.  At the age of nine, on the night of October 6th, 1989, Elder Terrance Simmons received salvation.    At the age of ten, he yielded to the call of God and started preaching the gospel.  He received the gift of the Holy Ghost with the evidence of speaking in tongues at the age of thirteen.  Elder Simmons became a licensed minister at the age of fifteen.  To be an adolescent, he had a strong word and a boisterous voice declaring the truth of the gospel. As a child, a word was prophesied into Elder Simmons' life by the late Bishop J. N. Haynes, that he would be a blessing to the local, state and national Church of God in Christ.  This prophetic word is manifesting itself as Elder Simmons has been called to preach in churches of the NY Western 1st Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction under the leadership of Bishop James R. Wright, Sr. Ph.D.  

After the passing of Superintendent William Jones, there was the merger of Redeem and Bethel Church Of God In Christ, forming Redeem-Bethel Church Of God In Christ, Inc.  Elder Simmons remained faithful under the leadership of its current pastor, Superintendent Henry Prior.  He served in various departments and offices of the church such as the usherboard, praise team, choir, President of the Y.P.W.W., Sunday School teacher and in many other capacities of the church.

As time went on, Elder Simmons married Evangelist Laniece Simmons on March 10, 2001.  Together, they have been blessed with five beautiful children, four daughters and one son: Shaddai, Teralan, Ilon, Falon and Terrance, Jr.

Elder Simmons has a gift of reaching beyond denominational and cultural barriers. In 2006, not only did he become an ordained Elder, he was also called to serve as an interim pastor of Immanuel United Church of Christ. 

In March of 2010, under the leading of the Holy Spirit, Elder Simmons and his family joined and served in the ministry of the Lily of the Valley Church of God in Christ under the leadership of Pastor Leon Tate.

On September 24, 2017, Elder Simmons was appointed as interim pastor of the Mt. Calvary Church of God in Christ in Geneva, NY.  On November 18, 2018, Elder Terrance Simmons was offically installed as the Pastor of the historical Mt. Calvary Church of God in Christ. 

Undoubtedly, there is a prophetic mantle that rests on Elder Simmons' life and that he has been called to a ministry of hope and deliverance.  He is known for his keen remembrance of hymns and continues to cling to the old time way of holiness. Although Elder Simmons is the youngest pastor in the City of Geneva, he is leading one of the oldest C.O.G.I.C. church's in the jurisdiction.  He graciously carries on the work of his pastoral predecessors and is making great strides within the community in the Spirit of excellence.

Evangelist Laniece Simmons

Evangelist Laniece M. Simmons is the daughter of Elder David and Evangelist Patricia Starks and has one sister, Patricia Starks-Cathey.  

Laniece Simmons became a member of Redeem Bethel C.O.G.I.C in February 2000, where her fiancé Minister Terrance Simmons was a member.  During this time, Missionary Simmons was seeking for a higher level in God and therefore wanted to be filled with the Holy Spirit, as she had already received salvation.  One evening while driving home from a revival, Laniece was singing praises to God and suddenly received the baptism of the Holy Spirit with the gift of speaking in tongues at age eighteen. 

In March of 2001, Elder Terrance and Missionary Laniece Simmons joined in Holy Matrimony.  Together they have been blessed with five beautiful children, four daughters and one son: Shaddai, Teralan, Ilon, Falon and Terrance Simmons, Jr. 

First Lady Simmons was licensed as an Evangelist Missionary in 2005 in New York Western First Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction, of the Churches of God in Christ. 

Evangelist Simmons is a melodic psalmist, who sings with such grace and poise.  She is also a prolific and prophetic minister of the word of God.  Elegantly she stands and declares the word of God with grace, anointing and power!  Some of her roles and positions within the church have consisted of her serving as a Sunday School teacher, Sunshine Band president, Trustee Board member, C.W.C. vice president and co-president of the Purity Class. 

Our First Lady has a soft and sweet demeanor and is known for her ability to reach the young alike.  You will often find her in the "background" aiding the young women with their children, cooking and cleaning for people in need, giving to needy families and visiting the sick and shut in.  

Evangelist Simmons wears many hats as a sister, wife, daughter, evangelist, missionary, businesswoman and friend.  She is a successful entrepreneur.  In March of 2007, Evangelist Simmons started what is known as H.E.L.P.S., (Help Educate Little People Successfully) Daycare.  In this home daycare, she specializes in teaching children biblical principles, morals, values and aids in preparing them for school.  

She is undoubtedly a devoted wife, mother and a Saintly woman of God. Her sincere desire is to live up to the standard of holiness in such a way that her life will convict the hearts of young women and wives everywhere, causing them to turn to Christ in every aspect of their lives. 

Pastor Simmons affectionately states that, “she is the epitome of womanhood and all that is feminine.”  She has walked beside her husband in every phase of his ministry, while yet walking out her own.  She is a virtuous woman! 

The Mount Calvary Church Of God In Christ, Inc. was founded in 1945 by Pastor Phillip and Mrs. Rosetta Handy and has been in existence for 75 years. 

We are 75 years strong!

The early services of the church was held in the home of Mr. Spencer Morgan who lived on S. Exchange St. The young church eventually moved to a storefront located at 14-16 Tillman St. Some of the early and founding members, other than the Handy family were, Mrs. Anne Russ and her granddaughter Louise, Deacon Grady and his family. Mother Louise Agee (granddaughter of Anne Russ) is currently still an active member of our church! Out of this small gathering of believers came Pastors, Missionaries, Evangelist, Civil Rights Activists and Leaders, Government Officials and even some Entrepreneurs. In the mid 1970's, under the leadership of Administrative Assistant, Pastor Clarence Williams,  Mount Calvary moved in great faith and purchased the property in which the church stands today, 21 Milton St.

We are still here by God's grace!

Mount Calvary has been a beacon of hope to the community, a pillar of strength for many families and a source of faith for many people near and far.  Mount Calvary is known as a "house of miracles."  Many have experienced healings of various kinds, even souls snatched from the grip of death.  Yes! We've had the dead come back to life by the prayers of the Saints and manifested by the power of the Holy Ghost. Some of those people are still alive to this day!

Down through the years Mount Calvary has weathered many storms, faced opposition and stood the test of time. We have remained resilient through hurtful losses and endured hardness as good soldiers of Jesus Christ! 

Following Pastor Handy(1945-1967), four men and their wives served as leaders who's names are as follows, Pastor Harold Davis, Administrative Assistant Clarence and Mother Dorothy Williams, Pastor Jonathan and Sister Sharon Perkins and Bishop James R. Wright, Sr., and Mother Maritha Wright. 

On September 24, 2017, Pastor Terrance and First Lady, Evangelist Laniece Simmons was chosen of God and appointed by the Bishop, Bishop James R. Wright, Sr., Ph.D.,  to humbly lead Mount Calvary. Their endeavors are to carry the mantle of Holiness and to build the people of God by motivating them to move forward in the spirit of righteousness and excellence. 

 Mount Calvary is comprised of a close knit, family oriented body of believers that aim to serve the Lord and the community by demonstrations of love, spreading the good news of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and by being Holy representatives of righteous living. 

We invite you to be apart of our worship experience. It is our prayer that when you enter the service that you would feel the glory of the Lord and the comfort of His everlasting love.

Mount Calvary Church Of God In Christ, Inc.-The Place Where It All Begins!  

And he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors. - Isaiah 53:12b