Student Ministries - Faculty
Dr. Tracy Paino is filled with courage, humor, and adventure which bring life to the classes that he teaches. Dr. Paino is a believer in the value of intentional leadership. He has conducted several corporate leadership courses for well known companies such as 3M, General Mills, IKEA, and Jenny-O.
Dr. Paino served as a youth pastor for the first 10 years of his ministry in Indiana and Ohio, then as senior pastor for 5 years. He is an ordained minister with the Assemblies of God since 1986. Currently serving as the Executive Chair of the Departments of Church Leadership, chair of the Student Ministries Department, Co-Director of the Center for Youth and Leadership, and Associate Professor of Youth Studies keeps him very busy at North Central University. Dr. Paino has taught classes in youth ministry, pastoral ministry, Biblical studies, business management, skiing, and rock climbing. He has been certified with the American Mountain Guide Association as a rock climbing instructor and guide. Additionally, he oversees students who are completing their senior projects and internships for the Student Ministries and Pastoral Ministries Departments. While at NCU, Dr. Paino has helped develop the Youth Development Studies major, which prepares students for social, community and para-church work, and the Center for Youth and Leadership (www.youthandleadership.com). He has been at NCU since 1996.
His educational background contains a B.A. from Evangel University, a M.Div from the Assemblies of God Theological Seminary, and a D.Min from Bethel University. Along with his wife, Debbie, he resides in Apple Valley, MN. They have two daughters, one son, a son-in-law, and two granddaughters. As an adrenaline “junkie” he participates in many different outdoor activities like running, biking, climbing, hiking, skiing, and camping. When stuck indoors, you can find him reading or watching the SPEED Channel and the Food Network.
Nate Ruch has a heart for ministry. Nate came to North Central University in 2003 as an Assistant Professor of Youth Studies. He helped develop and continues to serve as co-director of The Center for Youth and Leadership at NCU. Nate now serves as the Executive Director of University Relations. Nate currently teaches Youth Ministries Homiletics to the students preparing to be youth ministers. He is a highly sought speaker at youth conferences, camps, and youth worker seminars around the nation.
Prior to coming to NCU, Nate had a dynamic ministry known as JC’s Place at Emmanuel Christian Center in Fridley, MN, where he served as the youth pastor from 1994 to 2003. During his time of ministry he directed 700 to 800 students as well as the 95 volunteer leaders.
A Michigan native, Ruch has been married to his wife, Jodi, for 11 years and is the father of four boys: David, Jeff, Timmy, and Josiah.
Brian Pingel has been involved in full time interactive youth ministry for fifteen years in Nebraska and Wisconsin. He came to North Central University in 2006 where he serves as an Assistant Professor of Youth Studies. Brian teaches classes such as Adolescent Psychology & Counseling, Leadership Development, Sociology of American Youth, Introduction to Youth Studies, and Campus Ministry. A wide range of experience in youth, family, children, and college ministry gives Brian insight into the unique needs of those preparing for ministry.
Brian’s passion has always been in helping people discover ways that they can best reflect God’s glory to the world around them. Brian and his wife Kristi, both NCU alums, have three sons and they reside in Crystal, MN. His education also includes a M.Div. from Bethel University.
Moses Mendoza is an asset to the students and faculty at NCU with his charisma and energy. He inspires those around him with passion and humor. He began his journey at North Central University in August 2006 as Assistant Professor of Youth Studies and teaches classes such as Introduction to Youth Studies, Education and Discipleship of Youth, and Ministry of the Youth Pastor.
Moses has a wealth of experience in the realm of youth ministry. He served over a decade as youth pastor at an urban, bilingual church and has served as the District Youth Director for the Midwest Latin American District of the Assemblies of God since 2002. He is called to train youth leaders and pastors to develop relevant ministry to youth and their families. With his own unique style, along with a visual and interactive ministry, Mendoza touches the lives of students.
Moses and his wife Julie have one son, Micah and a child on the way. They are residing in Otsego, MN.
Dan is an exceptionally gifted children's evangelist and pastor with the wealth and wisdom of over 30 years of practical experience. As an ordained ministers in the Assemblies of God since 1972, he served as the children's pastor of Bethel Church in Quincy Illinois and then for 13 years at Bloomington Assembly of God in Bloomington, Minnesota. He has been a full-time professor at North Central University since 1990, a children's evangelist, and a much sought-after conference and seminar speaker.
His education includes a B.A. from North Central University and an M.A. from the University of St. Thomas. Dan resides in Richfield, MN with his wife Nancy. They have a daughter and a son who are grown.
Chris is Assistant Professor of Children and Family Ministries. 2007 marks her first year at North Central University as a full-time faculty member. However, she is not a stranger to the NCU community. Chris holds a B.A. in Children's Ministry from North Central University and a M.A. in Children and Family Ministry from Bethel University. While serving as a Children’s Pastor in the twin cities, Chris was an adjunct professor at NCU. Additionally, she travels and speaks at children’s ministry training events and kid’s camps.
Prior to coming to North Central she was the Children’s Ministry Specialist at Northwest University in Kirkland, WA. She was also the lead Children’s Ministries Director at Church on the Ridge in Snoqualmie, WA and Children's Pastor at Oak Hills Church in Egan, MN. Chris and her husband Anthony have two children, Andrew and Caitlin and they reside in Rosemont, MN.