Born and raised in Staten Island, Pastor Michael Luciano has deep roots at Gateway Church, where his faith journey began. At just nine years old, he placed his faith in Christ and was baptized at age 12—the first person baptized at Gateway’s current location. As a teenager, he answered the call to ministry while growing in faith within the Gateway community.

Pastor Michael’s formal ministry training includes studies at Word of Life Bible Institute, Moody Bible Institute (B.A.), Dallas Theological Seminary (Th.M.), and Drew University (D.Min.). Before becoming Gateway Church’s Senior Pastor in February 2020, he spent over a decade at Calvary Baptist Church in Midtown Manhattan. His roles included Summer Intern (2005 & 2006), Pastor of Young Adults (2007–2015), and Executive Pastor (2015–2020). These experiences in a diverse urban setting equipped him to lead and serve people from all walks of life.

A gifted communicator and passionate student of God’s Word, Pastor Michael finds his greatest joy in witnessing lives transformed by the gospel. Gateway Church’s mission—Reaching Generations for Christ—is especially significant to him, as he represents the fourth generation of his family to follow Christ on Staten Island.

Beyond ministry, Pastor Michael enjoys reading about history, theology, and leadership, as well as playing golf and cheering on the NY Giants. He and his wife, Mandy, college sweethearts married in 2003, are proud parents to two spirited sons, Anthony (b. 2008) and Isaiah (b. 2010).

After years of training and ministry around the world, Pastor Michael is grateful and excited to serve the Lord at his home church, leading Gateway into the future with faith and purpose.