BACKGROUND:
Bill Finnerty is an associate pastor of Open Door Baptist Church in Chili, NY. Bill grew up and attended school in the nearby town of Gates. Except for time spent away for military service and college, he has remained an active member of the local community. Although he was raised in a religious home, Bill didn’t see a personal need for the Lord until he began reading the Bible late in high school.

TESTIMONY:
As a senior at Gates-Chili High School, Bill witnessed another student being bullied for carrying a Bible. Bill challenged the aggressors to a physical fight which quickly ended the episode. Expecting much appreciation and thanks, Bill was shocked when this Christian student expressed displeasure at Bill’s use of the same tactics the bullies employed. This student went on to share some verses with Bill and ended up igniting a desire in Bill’s heart to learn more about the Bible and how it applied to his life.

EDUCATION:
Bill graduated from Baptist Bible College in Springfield, Missouri with a B.S. in Missions. He returned to the Rochester area as an intern at Open Door Baptist Church where he has now been on staff over 5 years.

OUTREACH:
His responsibilities at Open Door include missions-focused projects. Bill counsels those considering field work and encourages those already in the field. He hopes to increase prayer support for Open Door’s missionaries by focusing on the development of quality relationships between mission workers and the home congregation. Bill is the teacher of an adult bible study class on Sunday Mornings. He is also a full-time member of a police tactical unit working at night to suppress street crime. Bill considers the opportunity to serve God in these two capacities a great blessing.

PERSONAL:
Bill lives in Chili with his wife, Diane and three children.