Pastor Pete Montoro was born in Baltimore, Maryland and raised in a Christian home just outside the city.Pete knew much about the Gospel but finally experienced salvation at eleven years old. At sixteen, Pete felt the call of God on his life to become a preacher. Following high school graduation, Pete left for Baptist Bible College in Springfield, Missouri. Upon graduating from the Pastors Course in 1986, Pete began working with Larry Clayton, founder and president of the Salvation Evangelistic Association. Thus began Pete's relationship with the Cleveland Baptist Church of Cleveland, Ohio, Bro. Clayton's sending church. After working with Bro. Clayton for two years Pete was married to the former Julia Marshall, of the John Marshall Family.
Julia was born in Waynesville, Missouri as her father was starting a church there. Julia was only four years of age when she trusted Jesus Christ as her personal Savior. At the age of 11, Julia's father felt God's call into evangelism, a ministry in which he has served since.

From that point on, Julia grew up traveling from church to church, singing, helping, and ministering in any way that the Lord led. This varied lifestyle has prepared Julia for life in New York City.
Pete and Julia were married on September 3, 1988. Julia already knew of Pete's desire to start a church in New York City and had surrendered herself to serve the Lord where He would lead them. Sent out by the Cleveland Baptist Church and its pastor, Roy Thompson, full time deputation lasted 14 months. They began work in New York City in October of 1991. The first year was spent working with Paul Mc'Cardel, who had founded the All Nations Bible Baptist Church in Elmhurst. It was a fruitful year of learning with Bro. Mc'Cardel.
October 8, 1992 was the first public service of the Open Door Bible Baptist Church of Astoria. As Pete and Julia prayed and sought Gods direction, it was to this neighborhood they were led. Since that first service much has happened. The first Sunday in January of 1993, the Open Door Bible Baptist Church found its home in the basement of the Yugoslavian Seventh Day Adventist Church of Astoria. In January 1993, the church consisted of seven people, five of whom were Montoros. In March of 1994, the church averaged nearly 40. Growth beyond this was greatly hampered by the basement meeting place. People would come and get saved, then leave. The average attendance continued to hover around 40 with a high attendance of 84. After two years of searching, it was discovered that a two family house could be converted to a church. This would provide a 70 seat auditorium, possibly two or three small classrooms, and an apartment for the pastor's family. However, God closed the door to this and many other buildings.
Things greatly changed when God opened the door to purchase a vacant synagogue building on 35th Street. Located only three blocks from the Seventh Day Adventist Church, it was an ideal location. The church held its first service in the building in October of 1996. Since Christmas Sunday of 1996, the church has met in the Miracle on 35th Street. The church has grown with many souls saved and baptized! Church membership is well over 100, with an average attendance of 100, and is fully self-supporting.