ELC FACULTY AND STAFF
Dr. Nate Ruch
LEAD PASTOR AT EMMANUEL
Dr. Nate Ruch is the Lead Pastor of Emmanuel, a multi-ethnic, multi-generational church gathering at several locations every week. Nate, along with his wife Jodi, have been leading Emmanuel since the spring of 2013. He desires lead the church into reaching those away from God, growing in faith and living lives of purpose. They love helping people step into God’s possible for their lives. Previous to serving as the lead pastor of Emmanuel, he worked at North Central University for ten years as a Vice President. Prior to NCU he served for ten years as the Youth Pastor at Emmanuel.
Pastor Nate is an ordained minister with the Assemblies of God. He has earned a Doctor of Ministry degree from the Assemblies of God Theological Seminary, a Master of Arts degree in Organizational Leadership from Bethel University and a Bachelor of Science degree in Pastoral Studies from North Central University. He also serves on the Church Multiplication Network, Executive Presbyter of the Assemblies of God General Council and is a member of the North Central University Board of Regents
Pastor Jessica Ballew
SITE DIRECTOR AT ELC
Pastor Jessica is passionate about helping the next generation discover the life that they were created to live and equip them to make an impact for the Kingdom of God. She has been attending and serving at Emmanuel since she was a high school student and has been on staff at Emmanuel for six years.
She and her husband Caleb love doing ministry together and are loving this season of raising their two little girls, Avery and Amelia.
Pastor Jessica received a bachelor of science degree from North Central University in Music Business with a minor in Worship leading. In addition, she is a licensed minister with the Assemblies of God.
jessicaballew@emmanuelcc.org
Dr. Lori Dykstra
ACADEMIC DIRECTOR AT ELC
Dr. Lori Dykstra is the founder of Emmanuel Leadership College and currently serves as the Academic Director. After investing thirty years in public education Dr. Lori made the decision to join the ministry team at Emmanuel where she continues to invest in the next generation. Her journey in public education included twenty-four years teaching math on the high school level. Her greatest accomplishment in education was developing, implementing and coordinating the Center for Engineering, Mathematics and Science (CEMS), a school within a school magnet program for high school students giving them an opportunity explore the field of engineering. At the time that Dr. Lori resigned, 550 students were enrolled in the program. Today Dr. Lori serves on the CEMS Advisory Board.
Dr. Lori received her Education Doctorate in Education Administration from Bethel University, a Master of Arts degree in Math from the University of Utah and a Bachelor of Science degree in Math from Evangel University. In addition, Dr. Lori is an ordained Assemblies of God minister.
Pastor Phil Johnson
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF NEXT GEN MINISTRIES
Pastor Phil Johnson is the Executive Director of Next Gen ministries at Emmanuel overseeing Youth, kids and young adult ministry across all campuses. He lives his life dedicated to being a follower of Jesus and a fan of people because everyone has a critic but not everyone has a fan. Pastor Phil is happily married to his wife Audrey and is a proud father to Parker and Paxton.
Pastor Phil received a Bachelor of Science degree in Youth Development from North Central University. In addition, Pastor Phil is a licensed Assemblies of God minister.
Pastor Nathan Grams
LOCATION PASTOR AT EMMANUEL SPRING LAKE PARK
Pastor Nathan Grams is the location pastor at Emmanuel Spring Lake Park. He has over twenty years of experience in ministry in different roles, settings and cultures. These factors provide a rich platform from which he is able to teach a practical, relevant and global understanding of faith. As a professor and Bible teacher, he brings practical insight in the integration of ministry and theology. He teaches Bible and Theology courses at ELC. He and his wife, Analia, have two kids Santiago and Zoe.
Pastor Nathan received a Master of Arts degree in Theological Studies from the Assemblies of God Theological Seminary and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theological Studies from the Instituto Bíblico Río de la Plata. In addition, Pastor Nathan is an ordained Assemblies of God minister.
INTERN SUPERVISORS
We have an exceptional church staff at Emmanuel that our students get to learn under. Below is some of the leadership that invest in our ELC students throughout their practicum!
