"Succession is not handing a baton of a job title, it's handing off hundreds of relationships, culture, mission and vision!"
Dr. Nate Ruch
Meet the Team
HUSBAND, FATHER, PASTOR
Nate Ruch, D. Min
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. Nate has a doctoral degree from the Assemblies of God Theological Seminary, and 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. The desire of Nate and Jodi is to 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.
PASTOR, COACHING
Lori Dykstra, Ed. D.
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. At Emmanuel, Dr. Lori has functioned in several roles: Next Gen Director, Executive Pastor of Ministry and Site Director of Emmanuel Leadership College. Currently she is ELC's Academic Director. 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.
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.