Originally from Queens, NY, Pastors Matt and Jeanette Sassano have clearly heard God’s direction to see the gospel flourish in Hornell, NY and the surrounding region. They are the founders & Lead Pastors of Fresh Start Church. (FSC)

Pastor Matt is a graduate of Evangel University in Springfield, Mo. and was ordained in 1986 with the Assemblies of God. He is now ordained with LifeNet Apostolic Network (LAN) in Rochester, NY under the leadership of Apostle Ron Domina.  He also serves on the LAN board of directors.

Pastor Jeanette was ordained in 2017 through FSC and has ministered in the Dominican Republic serving as both a guest speaker and an interpreter being she’s bi-lingual with English & Spanish. She preaches the word of God at FSC as well as heading the “Radiant Women” Ministry as Director at Fresh Start. She also serves as the church’s Office Manager, Administrative Assistant to her husband and is the Hospitality Director. She is sought after as a speaker for events & conferences and also serves on the Northeast Intercessor’s Team for Evangelist Tim Hines of Tim Hines Ministries based out of Florida. As of 2023, she has a mandate from God to minister, help and teach/preach on the awful subject of sexual grooming & sexual abuse. She has seen MANY set free from the hideous affects of sexual abuse, grooming and trafficking.

The former church that Pastor Matt led experienced two long-term, fruitful revivals: the first running from 1997-2000. After Matt returned from the “Brownsville Revival” which took place in Pensacola, Fla., God’s Holy Spirit descended on that congregation the morning of June 1, 1997. Hundreds were saved, delivered & healed through that incredible move of the Holy Spirit in those 3 years. The second one, was a healing revival. That one went on for six months straight from June 2008-December 2008. God used an evangelist who was originally scheduled to be at the church for only one week, but those meetings morphed into a half a year of healing & deliverance. Hundreds attended those nightly meetings, and many were healed of physical, emotional, mental and psychological damage. Of course, many also became born again and filled with the Holy Spirit.

Pastor Matt has ministered in Argentina, India, Africa, and the Dominican Republic. Having settled in upstate New York since 1984, the Sassano’s serve the Hornell, NY community through FSC and R.I.S.E.N. (Reaching Into Society’s Every Need) - the outreach arm of FSC. This includes a wonderful clothing, house wares, food, etc., ministry that has become a staple in the region. Everything they acquire is given away 100% free, no strings attached. The ministry has been labeled “Clothed By God’s Grace” under the able leadership of Melynda Lorow. Hundreds are served each month.

They do minister and travel at other churches, meetings, venues, etc. To host either one of them, email or call the church for more information.