"For where two or three have gathered together in my name, there I am in their midst." 

Matthew 18:20

Meet Carmen and Elaine Falcione

“And He gives some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and  some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of  service, to  the  building up of the body of Christ” (Eph. 4:11-12)   Reverend Carmen Falcione has been called by God to operate within this five-fold ministry.  At appointed times throughout his walk with Him, Carmen has been an open vessel effectively used by the Lord in each of these ministerial capacities.

          Carmen and his wife, Elaine, have been blessed with 3 children and 11 grandchildren.  During a 14 year USAF career in the field of Nuclear Medicine, Carmen experienced a great spiritual awakening in his life, and in 1975, the Holy Spirit became life to Him! While still in the Air Force Carmen received his call into the ministry and began an educational “hands on” spiritual training throughout the remainder of his assignment in Philippines.  

          In 1979, shortly after he and Elaine moved their family to Montgomery, Alabama, the Lord directed Carmen to leave the military and become a part of a local church ministry and Christian academy.  He served as principal and assistant pastor for four years, and eventually took over as Senior Pastor from 1983-1992.  After years of service, the Lord called him to North Carolina for a sabbatical.  Immediately following this spiritual pilgrimage the Lord spoke to Carmen, challenging him with the visionary mission to return to Montgomery and become founder and director of a ministry called The Gathering.  God charged Carmen to become “a gatekeeper" to this city, and to oversee this ministry whose main purpose and calling is to promote reconciliation, healing between the races and denominations in the spirit of John 17:21-22. An additional function of The Gathering is to minister in churches in preparation in the different areas for equipping the saints as they receive healing, deliverance, and teaching.  He also spends time mentoring and counseling other pastors in their time of need.  

          As the Lord increases within Carmen His purpose and plan, he is being interconnected and expanded for His service.  He has been functioning as co-leader for John 17 Pastors’ Fellowship, co-leader of the Montgomery Servant Leadership Team, co-facilitator for Churches For A  Better Alabama, pastoral advisor to the mayor’s committee for the Rosa Parks 50^th Annual Celebration, and on the pastors’ board for Central Alabama Prayer Leaders Network.  He has also been nominated and accepted as the state representative of the John Dawson’s International Reconciliation Coalition team and a member of Grace Churches International.           

The Montgomery Advertiser interviews Carmen

February 18,2006

Meet The Board of Directors

John Dasher, Pastor

Bill Hurley, Financial Planning  

Tom Kotouc, Attorney

Mary Risen, Public School Teacher

Mission Statement

The Gathering is a non-profit ministry committed to networking with churches of different denominations and races to bring about unity   (John 17:20-21) and healthy relationships within the Body of Christ.

It will include, but not be limited to:

• Coordinating and overseeing events such as city-wide rallies and workshops for prayer, intercession and worship, marches, outside speakers, and mentoring shepherds.

• We will counsel to set the captives free and serve to bind up the brokenhearted, the scattered and the hungry.

• We will feed, love and teach sheep the Lord divinely appoints             (John 21:15-17).

• We will support and complement the local churches, walking along side, not be a replacement or substitute for them.

• Above all, we will lift up the name of Jesus to all people, so that He, the Lord, will be glorified in this city and the outlying countryside.