About
About
Seekers began in 1970 with the vision of one New York University student, Ben Alicéa-Lugo. He had a vision of a cross-denominational, cross-cultural campus ministry sensitive to the needs of urban students. He shared this vision with the late David Wilkerson who directed him to his brother, Don Wilkerson, the Director of Teen Challenge. Don was impressed by Ben’s tenacity, and sent him Director Rev. Faith Brown of their Fox Street incarnational work CURE Corps.
Under Rev. Faith and Ben, Seekers grew like wildfire through the high schools and colleges of New York City. Over the years, the Seekers fellowships have ebbed and flowed with the flavor of the metro New York Church, yet one thing remains; Seekers is committed to student-run, cross-cultural campus ministry, centered on the Lordship of Jesus Christ. What does it mean for Jesus to be Lord of one’s life? What does it mean for Jesus to be Lord of a school? What does it mean for Jesus to be Lord of the City?
Rev. Faith Lavon Brown
Rev. Faith Lavon Brown, the eighth of eleven children, was born in Richlands, Virginia, to Rev. Robert and Eunice Brown. She came to New York City in 1967 in response to a call for action from Rev. David Wilkerson. Rev. Faith led CURE Corps, a community outreach on Fox Street in the Bronx where drug addiction was rampant. It was through CURE Corps that she met Dr. Ben and Irma Alicea-Lugo, and joined them in the Seekers ministry which flourished under their leadership. Faith’s passionate love for the youth of this city was evident in her commitment to the Seekers fellowships on high school and college campuses. She was known for her radical call to cross-cultural ministry and the lordship of Jesus Christ. Faith went to be with the Lord in 1988, but left behind a strong legacy and foundation for Seekers to continue to grow and prosper to this day.
STATEMENT OF FAITH
We affirm the authority and inspiration of Scripture in all areas of the Christian faith and practice.
We affirm the Apostle’s Creed as a faithful confession of the Christian faith:
I believe in God Almighty and in Christ Jesus, his only Son, our Lord, who was born of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary. Who was crucified under Pontius Pilate and was buried and on the third day rose from the dead. Who ascended into heaven and who sits on the right hand of the Father, whence he comes to judge the living and the dead. The remission of sins. The resurrection of the flesh. The life everlasting.
Our vision is:
Every School a Seekers Site, and every Student a Seeker!
“Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness…” Matthew 6:33
TEAM
Rev. Wendy Calderón-Payne
Rev. Wendy Calderón-Payne came to faith as a freshman at Brown University. It was a weekly study of the Gospel of John that convicted her of the need to reconcile with the Almighty. When she stumbled upon Seekers she was amazed at its rich heritage and diversity. Rev. Wendy believes strongly in the student-led model of ministry, and will always seek to empower leaders to do mighty works for God. Rev. Wendy has been happily married to a Seekers alumnus, Shayne Payne for 15 years. They are the proud parents of three fabulous boys.
Rev. Edgard Torres
Rev. Edgard Torres (pictured with his wife Deborah) came to faith at the invitation of a Seekers leader at Richard R. Green HS. He was a Seekers leader and staff, and now volunteers as Ministry Coordinator. He knows most of the Seekers leaders from the last 15 years personally! Rev. Edgard met his wife through Seekers and church, and it should be known that Rev. Wendy was trying to match them up a few years before the Lord opened Edgard’s eyes to the true find of Deborah!
Cory Morgan
Cory Morgan, our Seekers Campus Staff, worked as a youth leader with Misfit NYC for close to 8 years. He currently serves as the Christ Tabernacle Bushwick Campus Music Director. When he’s not devoting his time and energy to youth ministry, he enjoys writing music and playing piano for different churches across the city. More than anything, he enjoys spending time as a newlywed with his wife Keyla Morgan, who happens to be a Seekers alumni from Grover Cleveland High School.
