The Call – Revive Church Rochester!
Over the past several years, God downloaded a burning vision to plant a life-giving church in Rochester. In March of 2023, in prayer, the Holy Spirit impressed on Pastor Dan’s heart that the time had come to begin this labor of love. After several confirming words, out of obedience to the Lord’s prompting, Pastor Dan stepped out in faith, retired early, sold their home, and moved to Rochester, New York, to plant Revive Church.
Every year, Pastor Charlene prays for a word from the Lord for the new year. In January 2023, Charlene received one word from the Holy Spirit, MOVE! Neither one knew what “MOVE” meant until March of 2023, when the Lord made it clear to them.
Dan and Charlene immediately responded promptly in faith and obedience, beginning the process of selling their home, retiring, and moving. Charlene moved to Rochester in September 2023 to begin her position as a Special Education Teacher at John Williams School No. 5 for the Rochester City School District, while Dan commuted several days per week until their home sold in December 2023. By the end of 2023, Pastor Dan was able to retire from GST BOCES.
Education
Pastors Dan and Charlene are graduates of Southeastern University. Dan has a degree in Pastoral Ministries (1990), and Charlene has a degree in Elementary Education, a minor in Bible, and a Master’s Degree in Reading from Walden University. They married in 1990 and have five grown children, two boys and three girls.
The Early Years - Bay Area Youth Services, Inc - Homeschooling
1990, Pastor Dan started his career in Central Florida, managing all operations for Bay Area Youth Services, Inc., in Polk, Highlands, and Hardee Counties. Under his leadership, his staff grew from 4 to 34 case managers, counselors, and support staff. He started two innovative and successful programs for youthful offenders. Out of 500 programs, Bay Area Youth Services became Florida’s highest-rated Juvenile Justice Program. Charlene became a stay-at-home mom for 16 years, homeschooling their five children after teaching elementary education for the first three years of marriage.
The Move to New York - Steuben-Allegany/Greater Southern Tier BOCES
Following the leading of the Holy Spirit, in 2000, the Wallenbeck family moved to New York State. Dan began his career as a Technology Director with Steuben-Allegany/Greater Southern Tier BOCES and later became the Telecommunications Manager. He ended his career as the Cyber Security Manager. For over 20 years, Dan has been collaborating with Superintendents, Tech Directors, and Facilities Directors of the 21 school districts in the Southern Tier region. Dan led several multimillion-dollar projects, including implementing a Cisco VoIP phone system that connected 14 school districts and installing a state-of-the-art fiber network that connected over 100 school buildings in the GST Region. Both projects were a tremendous success for all the participating school districts and significantly reduced costs.
Ministry Experience
Since 1990, Dan and Charlene have been active in ministry, serving in any area where needed, including Youth Pastor, Associate Pastor, Sr. Pastor, Children’s Director, home group leaders, worship leader, and leading men’s and women’s ministries and bible studies. In 2000, Pastor Dan Wallenbeck was ordained by his “Father in the Faith”, Pastor Reggie Scarborough, of Family Worship Center in Lakeland, FL, credentials Pastor Dan still holds today. Dan and Charlene faithfully served at Family Worship Center for over 13 years, including their college years.
Dan and Charlene have led a small group ministry called Healing Journey Ministry for the past five years at His Tabernacle Family Church in Horseheads, NY. About 40 to 50 participants and group leaders attend Healing Journey each year. It is a powerful, transformative small group ministry that runs for 29 weeks. On several occasions, Pastor Dan and Charlene assisted the Family Life Network Healing Journey Ministry with training leaders, Healing Journey Weekends, and men’s and women’s retreats.
