Departments of Church Leadership: Staff
Departments of Church Leadership is combined of Pastoral Ministries, Student Ministries, and The Trask Word and Worship Center chapel program.
Dr. Tracy Paino, Exective Chair
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.