CONNECT
1995
Nate Ruch (Pastoral Studies) As a student, Nate was involved in the co-curricular emphasis at the university which included both the classroom and service in a local church. During those years he began to take on greater roles of leadership and entered mentoring relationships with both faculty and the staff at Emmanuel. Before graduation he continued attending Emmanuel and was asked to serve as the Youth Pastor. The youth group thrived with over 800 in weekly attendance. In 2003, Nate returned to North Central to serve on the faculty in the area of youth ministry. He later served as the Vice President of University Relations and his leadership experiences expanded during these years. One could say he has been prepared a second time for a unique role of leadership at Emmanuel Christian Center in Spring Lake Park. In March, 2013 he began his role as Senior Pastor of the church. We are proud of God’s hand on his life and the part that North Central has played in this life journey. the current mayor of Ione. Dan volunteers for the California Department of Fish Game as a hunter education instructor. His wife, Colleen (Mulshine), ’93, leads worship and is an Assist Nurse Manager at Sutter General Hospital in Sacramento. They have four kids: Canaan (14), Annelise (12), Zadok (7) and Asher (5).
1994
Doug Vagle Doug Vagle (Christian Studies) and his wife, Peggy, (Fisher), ’95, (Behavioral Science) live in Sartell, MN, with their three
children, Abby, Nathaniel, and Sophie. They currently pastor The Waters Church, which they started five years ago. The Waters Church has helped start Northstar Community Church in Coon Rapids, Watermark Church in Stillwater, and Relevant Church in Plymouth - coming this fall!
1995
Chad Wheeler (Pastoral Studies) and his wife Jenny (Nelms), ’94, moved to Charlotte, NC to plant a church after 15 amazing years of youth ministry. Launched in November, 2011 with a core team of seventeen, REACH Church is steadily growing. In March 2012 God unexpectedly and miraculously blessed REACH with 16 acres of land and two buildings. Besides pastoring, the Wheelers continue to lead worship and are working on the completion
of Jenny’s latest album to be released this year. They have a 13-year old son, Chase, and two awesome dogs. James Biffert (Pastoral Studies) is currently the pastor of Bethel’s Rock Church in Richfield, MN. He has been married to his wife, Heather, for 18 years and they have three girls: Mckenzie (14), and twins, Bailey and Bianca (12). He pastored in St. Joseph, MI for 15 years before moving to Minnesota in 2010.
2001
Ryan Sieh (Vocal Performance) is the Creative Arts Pastor at Evangel in Kansas City, MO, and just wrote, produced and recorded his first album with the group “The Collaborative” available on iTunes and Amazon. Ryan is married to Kristina (Fulks), ’00, and they have two boys, Ashton (8) and Adrien (5).
2002
Seth Zielicke (Interdisciplinary Studies) has written a chapter for a book titled "Global Pentecostal Movements" published by Brill last fall.
2003
Simon Trautmann (TEFL and International Language) has joined the firm of Henningson & Snoxell, Ltd, a Maple Grove, MN law firm, as an associate attorney. Trautmann represents businesses, entrepreneurs and non-profit organizations in matters involving business law, real estate, employment law, and as creditors in bankruptcy proceedings. Simon received his J.D. from the University of St. Thomas School of Law. Simon also serves as a member of the North Central University Alumni Board and a board member of the Christian Chamber of Commerce. Simon is married to Jennifer (Melendez) ’03 (Psychology) and they have a 3-year old son, Justice. Rachel (Gifford) Schwenke (Business Administration/ minor in Urban Ministries) led the National Student Leadership Intensive at the Christian Community Development Association conference in Minneapolis in September 2012, training teens from across the country in leadership, social justice, and reconciliation. She also co-chaired the Reload Minneapolis conference for training urban youth and children’s ministers, partnering with the Urban Youth Worker’s Institute. Rachel is currently Spring 2013 | 29