OUR LEADership
We Are Guided By Our PastorS
The Pastoral Staff team is led by the Senior Pastor. This team oversees the day-to-day ministry and operations of the church. These staff pastors serve the congregation and are responsible for the development of the spiritual life of the church.
Senior Pastor
Pastors Nate & Jodi Ruch
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 earned 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. Nate and Jodi have been married since 1994 and have four incredible sons, three daughter in-laws and a grandson. In their free time, they enjoy working out, sitting in the warm sun, and spending time with their family.
Pastor Jodi Ruch is an ordained minister with the Assemblies of God, with a degree in Business Administration from North Central University. Her vocational career has led into church ministry, business finance, civic and educational leadership. She served on the Spring Lake Park School board for 12 years, providing significant leadership to facility development and funding. Currently, Jodi provides leadership at Emmanuel as the Director of Discipleship Pathways, Director of Emmanuel Sisterhood, as well as teaching and preaching in multiple environments. For fun, she spends her free time with her family, friends, and kickboxing. Her life purpose is to remove obstacles for people to take their next steps.
Location Pastors
Pastor Nathan Grams
Spring Lake Park
Pastor Jimmy Papia
Maple Grove
Pastor Bryan Talso
Elk River
Pastor Grant Barnes
Lakeville
We Are Strengthened By Our Advisory ELDERS
The Advisory Elders are made up of five nationally respected ministers who love Emmanuel and are willing to provide spiritual protection to the church. They may be called upon to help in accountability matters relating to the Senior Pastor if requested to do so by the Pastors or Elders.
Pastor Wayne Benson
President of Paraclete Ministries
Pastor Lee Cummings
Senior Pastor of Radiant Church
Dr. Choco De Jesus
General Treasurer of the Assemblies of God
Supt. Mark Dean
Minnesota Assemblies of God
Bishop Walter Harvey
President of the National Black Fellowship of the Assemblies of God
We Are Protected By Our Global Elders
Our Global Elders are made up of seven to ten members of the congregation appointed by the Elder Nominating Committee and affirmed by the congregation to oversee the finances and assets of the church. They provide counsel to the Senior Pastor regarding the major financial commitments of the church and advise in matters related to the church.
Dave Baker
Andrew Ballew
Angi Carlson
Patti Erickson
Bruce Wahoski
John Montgomery
*There are also local elders who work with the location pastors. They are appointed by the location pastor and approved by the Global Elders.
We Are Protected By Our Global Elders
Our Global Elders are made up of seven to ten members of the congregation appointed by the Elder Nominating Committee and affirmed by the congregation to oversee the finances and assets of the church. They provide counsel to the Senior Pastor regarding the major financial commitments of the church and advise in matters related to the church.
Dave Baker
Andrew Ballew
Jack Beckman
Angi Carlson
Patti Erickson
Kevin Larson
Bruce Wahoski
We Are Strengthened By Our Advisory ELDERS
The Advisory Elders are made up of five nationally respected ministers who love Emmanuel and are willing to provide spiritual protection to the church. They may be called upon to help in accountability matters relating to the Senior Pastor if requested to do so by the Pastors or Elders.
Pastor Wayne Benson
President of Paraclete Ministries
Pastor Lee Cummings
Senior Pastor of Radiant Church
Dr. Choco De Jesus
General Treasurer of the Assemblies of God
Supt. Mark Dean
Minnesota Assemblies of God
Bishop Walter Harvey
President of the National Black Fellowship of the Assemblies of God
*There are also local elders who work with the location pastors. They are appointed by the location pastor and approved by the Global Elders.
