Former Drug Dealer Now Deals Hope, Not Dope

An ex-drug dealer and his wife, a former crack-cocaine addict, are now dealing hope, not dope. Pastor Anthony Celender, 30, and his wife, Ashley, 27, launched City Reach Church New Kensington (Pennsylvania) in September.

Working as an assistant pastor for Assemblies of God churches in Pittsburgh's North Side and Braddock areas, Celender, who was licensed with the AG in 2013, says he and his wife have been doing outreaches and preview services for the past year in New Kensington.

On Sept. 20, a day before City Reach's first service, the Celenders' congregation held its Day of Hope Outreach, giving away $50,000 worth of groceries from Convoy of Hope. The event also offered free health screenings and massages, as well as a kid's zone, entertainment and free lunch.

More than 1,700 people received services, says Celender, a former professional wrestler who competed for five years in the National Wrestling Alliance under the name of Tony Hansen.

The Celenders' congregation draws approximately 125 people, including Faith Gravitt.

"Anthony and Ashley are truly compassionate about our Lord," Gravitt says. "City Reach is a blessing to the community and people struggling with hurts, habits and hangups."

Celender says attendees include former addicts and drug dealers.

"Our church is a place where people can come as they are, regardless of what they have done or experienced in life," Celender says. "We are seeing people receive Christ and get set free from all kinds of strongholds and bondages."

Eric Tiansay

Eric Tiansay has been a full-time journalist since 1993, writing articles for Christian media since 2000. He lives in central Florida, where he is an active member of an Assemblies of God church.