Our Staff Team

OUR STAFF TEAM

Nate Boyd

Executive Director

In the spring of 2010, Nate arrived at Christian Encounter for an internship following some formative years in camp ministry. After observing the leaders at the Ranch intent on humbly shepherding each person they encountered, Nate wanted to stay for the long-haul. He has served in a number of roles since then and began as Executive Director in 2017. Nate met his wife Alyssa (intern 2012-2013) while on an intern recruiting trip. They’ve been married since 2014 and have a daughter named Lilly. Nate was ordained for the ministry through Christian Encounter in 2016 and completed his M.A. in Biblical and Theological Studies in 2017 from Western Seminary. Nate loves watching the transformational impact of the Gospel, whether in a person, a church, or a community, and he finds joy in the lifelong pursuit of its full expression.

Zach Malech

Outreach PAStor

Zach is a Grass Valley native who is passionate about building meaningful connections with others to further God’s kingdom work. Zach has worked in churches and the furniture business, delivered packages, been a prep cook in a kitchen, managed a pizza shop, and lived in Mexico. He believes God’s grace and mercy are unending and the redemptive power of Christ is restoring lives everywhere, which means you can be a part of God’s redeeming plan wherever He has you. He is excited to communicate how God’s kingdom is being built at Christian Encounter Ranch and how you can be a part of it wherever you are.

Jensen Near

Director of Student Life

Jensen is a NorCal native with a passion for helping young people "connect the dots" between God's Word and their daily lives. Appropriately, Jensen's arrival at Christian Encounter in 2018 was the result of the Lord's own secret game of connect the dots: after Jensen's passion for mentoring and discipleship led him to seven years in Christian Residence Life, a Masters in Theology, and three years as a Young Adults Pastor, the Lord used Nate Boyd - an under-grad and seminary classmate - to call Jensen and his family to the Ranch. Jensen and his wife Elizabeth have two children, and enjoy good food, sports, and making people laugh.

KEVIN PHILLIPS

DIRECTOR OF COUNSELING

Kevin was born and raised in Northern California where he remains today. Kevin has a passion for working with adolescents and young adults, helping them to find their value and security in Christ. Kevin and his wife Vicki have two adult children who live nearby, and three teens at home. They love kayaking, hiking, and pickleball in their free time. Kevin is known for his sense of humor, a vast variation of vocational experiences, his no nonsense direct approach, unflappable determination, and a love for classic rock.