ELA 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
Dr. Lori Dykstra
SITE DIRECTOR AT ELA
Dr. Lori Dykstra is the Executive Pastor of NextGen and Education at Emmanuel and serves as the Emmanuel Leadership Academy Site 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.
Michelle Kocak
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT AT ELA
Michelle Kocak is the administrative assistant for ELA and helps directly with recruitment, retention, and student life. She lives her life in service to others and is a passionate leader of the next generation.
Michelle Kocak received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology with a minor in coaching from Winona State University.
MichelleKocak@emmanuelcc.org
Nathan Grams
CAMPUS PASTOR AT EMMANUEL SPRING LAKE PARK CAMPUS
Pastor Nathan Grams is the campus 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 currently teaches Bible and Theology courses at ELA. He and his wife, Analia, have two beautiful children, 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
Pastor Phil Johnson
YOUTH DIRECTOR AT EMMANUEL
Pastor Phil Johnson is the Youth Director at Emmanuel overseeing Youth 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 JonCarlos Velez
LEAD WORSHIP PASTOR AT EMMANUEL
How do you know if someone is Puerto Rican? They will tell you.
Pastor JonCarlos Velez is a Puerto Rican from Milwaukee who is passionate about his family, ministry, and the musical expression of worship. He and his wife Gabriella, along with their three children (Eliana, Reyah, and Judah), have been serving as Worship Pastors at Emmanuel since 2013.
Pastor JonCarlos and Gabriella not only are passionate about doing music together but they are passionate about raising up the next generation of creatives. In 2017, this dynamic duo founded and launched the School Of Artistic Refinement (SOAR), which is a non-profit school of the arts for young students of all backgrounds. Pastor JonCarlos’ dream and goal in life is to use the power of music to communicate and tell all about the power and hope of Jesus.