Stephanie Debo
Occupation: Estimator
How long have you attended Northgate?
26 years
What present ministry or future prospect of ministry at Northgate excites you the most?
I love our ministries that reach out and serve women, children, and families in our community. I have a particular interest in our MOPs ministry (which has a new name – MomCo!) because it has impacted me personally so much over the years.
Assuming the ministry at Northgate has touched your life; share with us what is most meaningful to you about Northgate?
Northgate is meaningful to my family and I because it really feels like extended family. It embodies the love of Christ and is committed to its mission.
26 years
What present ministry or future prospect of ministry at Northgate excites you the most?
I love our ministries that reach out and serve women, children, and families in our community. I have a particular interest in our MOPs ministry (which has a new name – MomCo!) because it has impacted me personally so much over the years.
Assuming the ministry at Northgate has touched your life; share with us what is most meaningful to you about Northgate?
Northgate is meaningful to my family and I because it really feels like extended family. It embodies the love of Christ and is committed to its mission.
Jeremy McClellan
Occupation: Deputy Sheriff
How long have you attended Northgate?
Since 2011
What present ministry or future prospect of ministry at Northgate excites you the most?
The events and plans that we have been bringing into the Men's Ministry with the annual Men’s Campout and doing projects for people in the community that otherwise do not have the ability or resources. Last year was our second annual “Man Camp” that did not disappoint. Men from the church gathered with their sons, nephews, and other friends that they invited to share a weekend of fellowship, discipleship, great food and an impressive air show. Guys brought tents, hammocks, campers, or just laid out under the stars to witness God’s amazing creation. It’s a weekend that we get to focus on great fellowship and share the truth about Jesus and have an amazing time doing it. I’m also extremely excited about the men’s ministry aspect of this, where we have been contacted with several needs in the community and the men of this church have been able to fill the gap and assist believers and/or non-believers alike in situations that needed a group to complete. I’m very excited to see what else God has planned for this outreach of our church. These are just a couple aspects to our Bring, Build, Send mission statement that I love investing in.
Assuming the ministry at Northgate has touched your life; share with us what is most meaningful to you about Northgate?
I love the fact that people come here and feel comfortable, especially men. Historically, when I was growing up, whenever I was dragged to church, I usually saw the mother bringing the kids to church. That was the truth in my case as well. Fathers were usually “too busy” to go or it was; in one way or another, put on the mother to get the kids to church. We’re different here. I love the fact that when men show up to our church, they feel welcomed, comfortable and included. I feel that we need more men in the church to lead as Jesus has directed us to. I believe that we need to equip men and build them up to raise their families in a good Bible believing and Bible teaching church. Northgate has been doing that for me through my successes and failures. Centering everything on Christ’s love, grace and mercies. That’s what Northgate has been doing for me.
Since 2011
What present ministry or future prospect of ministry at Northgate excites you the most?
The events and plans that we have been bringing into the Men's Ministry with the annual Men’s Campout and doing projects for people in the community that otherwise do not have the ability or resources. Last year was our second annual “Man Camp” that did not disappoint. Men from the church gathered with their sons, nephews, and other friends that they invited to share a weekend of fellowship, discipleship, great food and an impressive air show. Guys brought tents, hammocks, campers, or just laid out under the stars to witness God’s amazing creation. It’s a weekend that we get to focus on great fellowship and share the truth about Jesus and have an amazing time doing it. I’m also extremely excited about the men’s ministry aspect of this, where we have been contacted with several needs in the community and the men of this church have been able to fill the gap and assist believers and/or non-believers alike in situations that needed a group to complete. I’m very excited to see what else God has planned for this outreach of our church. These are just a couple aspects to our Bring, Build, Send mission statement that I love investing in.
Assuming the ministry at Northgate has touched your life; share with us what is most meaningful to you about Northgate?
I love the fact that people come here and feel comfortable, especially men. Historically, when I was growing up, whenever I was dragged to church, I usually saw the mother bringing the kids to church. That was the truth in my case as well. Fathers were usually “too busy” to go or it was; in one way or another, put on the mother to get the kids to church. We’re different here. I love the fact that when men show up to our church, they feel welcomed, comfortable and included. I feel that we need more men in the church to lead as Jesus has directed us to. I believe that we need to equip men and build them up to raise their families in a good Bible believing and Bible teaching church. Northgate has been doing that for me through my successes and failures. Centering everything on Christ’s love, grace and mercies. That’s what Northgate has been doing for me.
Marlin Salmon
Occupation: Orthodontist, Salmon Orthodontics
How long have you attended Northgate?
20 years
What present ministry or future prospect of ministry at Northgate excites you the most?
There are many great ministries at Northgate that are serving so many people in many different ways. The ones that excite me the most are our connected community in Gahanda, Rwanda and also everything to do with our children’s ministries including our new playground. It is so wonderful to see those being served in our ministries growing closer to Jesus and experiencing the love, joy and peace he provides to those in relationship with him.
Assuming the ministry at Northgate has touched your life; share with us what is most meaningful to you about Northgate?
Northgate is a church where you immediately feel welcome as soon as you walk in through the door. The love that is present within our church is amazing and this love for Jesus and each other is what makes Northgate such a special and meaningful place. All we do flows from this.
20 years
What present ministry or future prospect of ministry at Northgate excites you the most?
There are many great ministries at Northgate that are serving so many people in many different ways. The ones that excite me the most are our connected community in Gahanda, Rwanda and also everything to do with our children’s ministries including our new playground. It is so wonderful to see those being served in our ministries growing closer to Jesus and experiencing the love, joy and peace he provides to those in relationship with him.
Assuming the ministry at Northgate has touched your life; share with us what is most meaningful to you about Northgate?
Northgate is a church where you immediately feel welcome as soon as you walk in through the door. The love that is present within our church is amazing and this love for Jesus and each other is what makes Northgate such a special and meaningful place. All we do flows from this.
Rick Kent
Occupation: Social Worker and Educator at Rochester Psychiatric Center
How long have you attended Northgate?
About 11years
What present ministry or future prospect of ministry at Northgate excites you the most?
The prospect of ministry that excites me the most is that of serving Northgate as a member of the A-Team. I have worked as an administrator at the Rochester Psychiatric Center since I started my first management position there in 2012. The longer I've been in management positions and the better I get at being a leader, the more I think to myself, "Here I am doing my best work to serve the NYS Office of Mental Health; I wish I could serve God's Church with these skills I've learned." It was last year, when I was nominated to the A-Team that I finally realized how eager I was to serve God at Northgate by joining the A-Team. I am enthused to be nominated again this year, because it's exciting to think of serving the Church with all these skills I've picked up during my 9-5 job. However God can use me in my career and at my church, I'm excited to answer the call!
Assuming the ministry at Northgate has touched your life; share with us what is most meaningful to you about Northgate?
The program that has been very meaningful for me is the small group that my wife, Sara, and I are a part of on Sunday mornings. In January 2023, we started a study called, "Listening to the Languages of the Bible," with several other people during the 9:30am service. The study teaches us Hebrew words and aspects of Jewish culture, which has brought the Scriptures to life for me in so many fascinating ways! The topic has humbled me and made me realize how little of the Bible I fully understand when I don't understand the nuances of the original language or the cultural backdrop against which the Bible was written. The people studying with me have helped me understand and apply the scriptures in such fulfilling ways. Our 3 daughters often sit in on the group, and Sara and I have been so blessed by the members for welcoming them in and being such wonderful role models of the faith. I love this group, and I love the topic, and it has been really meaningful for me in the past year. (FYI - If you have any interest in joining the group, you are more than welcome - just show up at 9:30am on any Sunday and we'll catch you up to speed!)
About 11years
What present ministry or future prospect of ministry at Northgate excites you the most?
The prospect of ministry that excites me the most is that of serving Northgate as a member of the A-Team. I have worked as an administrator at the Rochester Psychiatric Center since I started my first management position there in 2012. The longer I've been in management positions and the better I get at being a leader, the more I think to myself, "Here I am doing my best work to serve the NYS Office of Mental Health; I wish I could serve God's Church with these skills I've learned." It was last year, when I was nominated to the A-Team that I finally realized how eager I was to serve God at Northgate by joining the A-Team. I am enthused to be nominated again this year, because it's exciting to think of serving the Church with all these skills I've picked up during my 9-5 job. However God can use me in my career and at my church, I'm excited to answer the call!
Assuming the ministry at Northgate has touched your life; share with us what is most meaningful to you about Northgate?
The program that has been very meaningful for me is the small group that my wife, Sara, and I are a part of on Sunday mornings. In January 2023, we started a study called, "Listening to the Languages of the Bible," with several other people during the 9:30am service. The study teaches us Hebrew words and aspects of Jewish culture, which has brought the Scriptures to life for me in so many fascinating ways! The topic has humbled me and made me realize how little of the Bible I fully understand when I don't understand the nuances of the original language or the cultural backdrop against which the Bible was written. The people studying with me have helped me understand and apply the scriptures in such fulfilling ways. Our 3 daughters often sit in on the group, and Sara and I have been so blessed by the members for welcoming them in and being such wonderful role models of the faith. I love this group, and I love the topic, and it has been really meaningful for me in the past year. (FYI - If you have any interest in joining the group, you are more than welcome - just show up at 9:30am on any Sunday and we'll catch you up to speed!)
Keith Keberle
Occupation: Agriculture management
How long have you attended Northgate?
What present ministry or future prospect of ministry at Northgate excites you the most?
Assuming the ministry at Northgate has touched your life; share with us what is most meaningful to you about Northgate?
20 years
What present ministry or future prospect of ministry at Northgate excites you the most?
There are many ministries at Northgate that serve an important purpose for the local community, the congregation, and across the world. In my time here at Northgate I’ve seen the church reach out with youth ministry in many ways through bible class time, events, and activities that are relevant to not only youth but parents as well. From the kids wing, to the worship team, to the new school in Gahanda. In a large church, to have youth and parents be a part of a group and share faith and life together is powerful and meaningful. As society changes for better or for worse, I believe this is an important ministry for youth and even more so further along in life as individuals become young adults and start their own lives in college, employment, and families of their own.
Assuming the ministry at Northgate has touched your life; share with us what is most meaningful to you about Northgate?
Relationships. With God and his teachings. With our families, with each other, and even how we see ourselves. I’m still learning all of it. Through marriage and raising a family the fellowship at Northgate has always been there.In every activity I plug into there has been a relationship and fellowship established. From many years of being a part of one function or group, to just helping for one day for one person, the fellowship is there. The Northgate core values posted in the cafe are the perfect concise description of what the church is and what I have come to value most. I find each value presents itself at different times and in different ways as life moves on. As I follow the path laid out for me I try to keep all the core values in mind, and as life happens, I find myself embracing one or more of those values at that moment to carry me along.
Ryan Mating
Occupation: Stay-at-Home Dad
How long have you attended Northgate?
What present ministry or future prospect of ministry at Northgate excites you the most?
I am most excited for the various youth service/mission trips. These type of opportunities have been tremendously special in my life and I am glad to see others shaped by them.
Assuming the ministry at Northgate has touched your life; share with us what is most meaningful to you about Northgate?
Assuming the ministry at Northgate has touched your life; share with us what is most meaningful to you about Northgate?
Sharing in Communion and Fellowship. The gift we share in communion is naturally special; yet the opportunity to see each person partake is a moment I cherish. Additionally, the fellowship has been refreshing. To sit with someone and discuss life is a gift for which I am thankful.
What present ministry or future prospect of ministry at Northgate excites you the most?
I am most excited for the various youth service/mission trips. These type of opportunities have been tremendously special in my life and I am glad to see others shaped by them.
Assuming the ministry at Northgate has touched your life; share with us what is most meaningful to you about Northgate?
Assuming the ministry at Northgate has touched your life; share with us what is most meaningful to you about Northgate?
Sharing in Communion and Fellowship. The gift we share in communion is naturally special; yet the opportunity to see each person partake is a moment I cherish. Additionally, the fellowship has been refreshing. To sit with someone and discuss life is a gift for which I am thankful.