our STAFF team
Executive Director
Nate Boyd
Nate graduated from Patrick Henry College in 2009 with a degree in Classical Liberal Arts and an emphasis in Education. He spent six summers working at Wolf Mountain Christian Camp and Conference Center and Camp Del Oro, both in the Grass Valley area. Nate was a CER intern in the spring of 2010, and worked for an outdoor education program with High Sierra Outdoor Institute in the fall of 2010. He joined the CER staff in October 2010 and has filled several roles since then, including Men's Ministry House Leader, Director of Internship and Discipleship, Assistant Director and now Executive Director. He received his M.A. in Biblical and Theological Studies in 2017 through Western Seminary. Nate and his wife Alyssa (intern 2012-2013) welcomed the arrival of their first child July 2017.
Nate Boyd
Nate graduated from Patrick Henry College in 2009 with a degree in Classical Liberal Arts and an emphasis in Education. He spent six summers working at Wolf Mountain Christian Camp and Conference Center and Camp Del Oro, both in the Grass Valley area. Nate was a CER intern in the spring of 2010, and worked for an outdoor education program with High Sierra Outdoor Institute in the fall of 2010. He joined the CER staff in October 2010 and has filled several roles since then, including Men's Ministry House Leader, Director of Internship and Discipleship, Assistant Director and now Executive Director. He received his M.A. in Biblical and Theological Studies in 2017 through Western Seminary. Nate and his wife Alyssa (intern 2012-2013) welcomed the arrival of their first child July 2017.
School Teacher
Robbin Adams
Robbin (Merriam) Adams graduated from California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo, CA in June of 1980 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science with a Pre-Law Concentration. She came to CER as an intern in September of 1980 serving part of her one-year internship in Grass Valley, CA and part at the Ozark Christian Encounter Ranch in Bunker, MO where she began the women's program. Robbin returned to CER in Grass Valley in 1985 with her husband, Gene Adams, where she served as the Administrative Office Manager and Executive Secretary to Jim Parker while Gene joined the counseling staff headed by Mike Petrillo. In 1989, she left this position to be a full-time mother and home educator of their four daughters for 22 years. The Adams family served on staff with CER for 18 years. In 2009, Robbin returned to CER as the high school English teacher where she continues to serve.
Robbin Adams
Robbin (Merriam) Adams graduated from California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo, CA in June of 1980 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science with a Pre-Law Concentration. She came to CER as an intern in September of 1980 serving part of her one-year internship in Grass Valley, CA and part at the Ozark Christian Encounter Ranch in Bunker, MO where she began the women's program. Robbin returned to CER in Grass Valley in 1985 with her husband, Gene Adams, where she served as the Administrative Office Manager and Executive Secretary to Jim Parker while Gene joined the counseling staff headed by Mike Petrillo. In 1989, she left this position to be a full-time mother and home educator of their four daughters for 22 years. The Adams family served on staff with CER for 18 years. In 2009, Robbin returned to CER as the high school English teacher where she continues to serve.
Executive Assistant
Salena Berger
Salena graduated from the University of Northwestern - St. Paul in 2016 with degrees in both Bible and Ministry and an emphasis in Intercultural Studies. Salena served a two-year internship at CER before joining the staff in August 2018. She has participated in short term missions trips to West Virginia, Illinois, Trinidad, Albania, Thailand, and Japan. Salena originated from the Chicagoland area, where her family still resides. She enjoys music, hammocking, and driving. Salena is also a Red Cross Certified Lifeguard.
Salena Berger
Salena graduated from the University of Northwestern - St. Paul in 2016 with degrees in both Bible and Ministry and an emphasis in Intercultural Studies. Salena served a two-year internship at CER before joining the staff in August 2018. She has participated in short term missions trips to West Virginia, Illinois, Trinidad, Albania, Thailand, and Japan. Salena originated from the Chicagoland area, where her family still resides. She enjoys music, hammocking, and driving. Salena is also a Red Cross Certified Lifeguard.
Assistant Director of Discipleship
Paxton Fitzpatrick
Paxton graduated from William Jessup University in 2016 with a Bachelors Degree in Psychology. He served as a summer intern for CER in 2016 as his fieldwork assignment for his degree. After graduation, Paxton stayed closely connected with CER while working nearby for two summers as the Teen Camp Program Director for the Salvation Army Camp Del Oro and six months at a group home in Placer County. He has served in this position since August 2017.
Paxton Fitzpatrick
Paxton graduated from William Jessup University in 2016 with a Bachelors Degree in Psychology. He served as a summer intern for CER in 2016 as his fieldwork assignment for his degree. After graduation, Paxton stayed closely connected with CER while working nearby for two summers as the Teen Camp Program Director for the Salvation Army Camp Del Oro and six months at a group home in Placer County. He has served in this position since August 2017.
Office Manager
Caryn Galeckas
Caryn graduated from Wheaton College, Wheaton, IL, with a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education in 1981. She worked as a summer wilderness leader at Honey Rock Camp from 1979 to 1981, and came to CER in 1982 to work in the wilderness camping program, Discovery Expeditions; she was the director of that program from 1985 to 1994. She taught in Christian Encounter High School from 1994 to 1995, and continues to teach P.E. to the present time. Caryn has been the Office Manager since 1996 and also continues to help lead CER wilderness trips. She is a certified Red Cross Lifeguard and certified Wilderness First Responder.
Caryn Galeckas
Caryn graduated from Wheaton College, Wheaton, IL, with a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education in 1981. She worked as a summer wilderness leader at Honey Rock Camp from 1979 to 1981, and came to CER in 1982 to work in the wilderness camping program, Discovery Expeditions; she was the director of that program from 1985 to 1994. She taught in Christian Encounter High School from 1994 to 1995, and continues to teach P.E. to the present time. Caryn has been the Office Manager since 1996 and also continues to help lead CER wilderness trips. She is a certified Red Cross Lifeguard and certified Wilderness First Responder.
Women's Counselor
Elise Gallagher
Elise received her Master’s Degree in counseling/psychology from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield, IL in 1994. She worked as a counselor at CER from 1996-1999 until her first child was born. She later worked as a psychological assistant counseling women in the church and through the Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Coalition in Grass Valley, CA. She rejoined the CER staff in 2016.
Elise Gallagher
Elise received her Master’s Degree in counseling/psychology from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield, IL in 1994. She worked as a counselor at CER from 1996-1999 until her first child was born. She later worked as a psychological assistant counseling women in the church and through the Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Coalition in Grass Valley, CA. She rejoined the CER staff in 2016.
Director of Counseling
Tom Griffith
Tom has been a resident of Nevada County for over two decades, serving youth and adolescents in the mental health field in Sacramento and Nevada counties since 2001. Tom worked at a secular counseling agency for 14 years, often with children in CPS cases and in the foster care system. During this time, he also opened his own private practice in Grass Valley, enabling him to integrate his faith with his therapy for individuals and families. Tom accepted a position at CER in 2018.
Tom Griffith
Tom has been a resident of Nevada County for over two decades, serving youth and adolescents in the mental health field in Sacramento and Nevada counties since 2001. Tom worked at a secular counseling agency for 14 years, often with children in CPS cases and in the foster care system. During this time, he also opened his own private practice in Grass Valley, enabling him to integrate his faith with his therapy for individuals and families. Tom accepted a position at CER in 2018.
School Principal
Suzanne Hartley
Suzanne graduated from Humboldt State University in Arcata, California, with a Bachelor of Arts in Recreation in 1990. She worked as a wilderness leader at Honey Rock Camp in Wisconsin from 1990 to 1994. Suzanne came to CER in 1994 for a 2-year internship, then transitioned to the school, where she teaches government, economics, math, and health. She also runs the CER wilderness program and assists the students with their medical needs. Suzanne is ACSI teacher certified, Wilderness First Responder certified, and Red Cross Lifeguard certified. In June of 2016 Suzanne earned her Master's Degree in Christian Education from The Institute for Creation Research's School of Biblical Apologetics.
Suzanne Hartley
Suzanne graduated from Humboldt State University in Arcata, California, with a Bachelor of Arts in Recreation in 1990. She worked as a wilderness leader at Honey Rock Camp in Wisconsin from 1990 to 1994. Suzanne came to CER in 1994 for a 2-year internship, then transitioned to the school, where she teaches government, economics, math, and health. She also runs the CER wilderness program and assists the students with their medical needs. Suzanne is ACSI teacher certified, Wilderness First Responder certified, and Red Cross Lifeguard certified. In June of 2016 Suzanne earned her Master's Degree in Christian Education from The Institute for Creation Research's School of Biblical Apologetics.
Communications Coordinator
Zoya Lee
Zoya graduated from the University of California at Davis in 2009 with a Bachelor of Arts in Interior Architecture. She has participated in short-term mission trips to Taiwan and Kenya. Just before arriving at CER in 2010 to begin her internship, she was appointed as a member of African Inland Mission and planned to leave for the field in 2012. God had other plans. In 2012, Zoya completed her two-year internship and remained at CER serving in various capacities, eventually joining the staff in 2013.
Zoya Lee
Zoya graduated from the University of California at Davis in 2009 with a Bachelor of Arts in Interior Architecture. She has participated in short-term mission trips to Taiwan and Kenya. Just before arriving at CER in 2010 to begin her internship, she was appointed as a member of African Inland Mission and planned to leave for the field in 2012. God had other plans. In 2012, Zoya completed her two-year internship and remained at CER serving in various capacities, eventually joining the staff in 2013.
Outreach Coordinator
Zach Malech
Zach is pursuing a bachelor's degree in Christian Leadership and business Management. He 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.
Zach Malech
Zach is pursuing a bachelor's degree in Christian Leadership and business Management. He 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.
Food Service Manager
Kathleen McNama
Kathleen first heard about Christian Encounter through an old college friend who had done an internship years prior. It would be much later that Kathleen began to receive our newsletters in the mail, and about that same time she enrolled in culinary school after spending years in the church kitchen helping put on events. Kathleen went on to work in the kitchen at Camp Alta and Whitewater Excitement. Kathleen joined the Christian Encounter staff in May 2020.
Kathleen McNama
Kathleen first heard about Christian Encounter through an old college friend who had done an internship years prior. It would be much later that Kathleen began to receive our newsletters in the mail, and about that same time she enrolled in culinary school after spending years in the church kitchen helping put on events. Kathleen went on to work in the kitchen at Camp Alta and Whitewater Excitement. Kathleen joined the Christian Encounter staff in May 2020.
Director of Student Life/Intern Director
Jensen Near
Jensen graduated from Patrick Henry College in 2010 with a degree in Government and an emphasis in American Politics and Policy. He spent five years in Christian Student Development, working as a Resident Director at PHC for three years and as a RD and the Assistant Director of Discipleship at William Jessup University for two years. Jensen came to CER in 2018 after a three-year stretch as the Young Adults Ministries Director at Morgan Hill Bible Church. He received his M.A. in Biblical and Theological Studies from Western Seminary in December 2017. Jensen's hobbies are playing sports, eating good food, and making his wife Elizabeth laugh as often as possible.
Jensen Near
Jensen graduated from Patrick Henry College in 2010 with a degree in Government and an emphasis in American Politics and Policy. He spent five years in Christian Student Development, working as a Resident Director at PHC for three years and as a RD and the Assistant Director of Discipleship at William Jessup University for two years. Jensen came to CER in 2018 after a three-year stretch as the Young Adults Ministries Director at Morgan Hill Bible Church. He received his M.A. in Biblical and Theological Studies from Western Seminary in December 2017. Jensen's hobbies are playing sports, eating good food, and making his wife Elizabeth laugh as often as possible.
Business Manager
Sharon Palmer (MacLean)
Sharon graduated from Colorado Christian University, Lakewood, CO, in 2007 with a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration. She is also a 2008 graduate of The School of Leadership Development, Yuba City, CA. Sharon has spent time doing missionary work in Mexico, Cambodia, Fiji, China, Vietnam, and the island nation of Vanuatu. She came to CER to serve a nine-month internship in 2010 and began working as the Women’s Ministry House Leader in early 2011. Sharon has served as CER's Accountant since 2012 and began serving as the Assistant Director of Operations in 2017.
Sharon Palmer (MacLean)
Sharon graduated from Colorado Christian University, Lakewood, CO, in 2007 with a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration. She is also a 2008 graduate of The School of Leadership Development, Yuba City, CA. Sharon has spent time doing missionary work in Mexico, Cambodia, Fiji, China, Vietnam, and the island nation of Vanuatu. She came to CER to serve a nine-month internship in 2010 and began working as the Women’s Ministry House Leader in early 2011. Sharon has served as CER's Accountant since 2012 and began serving as the Assistant Director of Operations in 2017.
Maintenance Coordinator
Austin Sather
Austin graduated from Ozark Christian College in Joplin Missouri in 2017 with a General Ministry degree. After a summer at home, Austin came to CER as a one-year intern before transitioning onto staff in September 2018. In addition to his responsibilities in maintenance, Austin also helps lead wilderness trips and is a Red Cross Certified Lifeguard.
Austin Sather
Austin graduated from Ozark Christian College in Joplin Missouri in 2017 with a General Ministry degree. After a summer at home, Austin came to CER as a one-year intern before transitioning onto staff in September 2018. In addition to his responsibilities in maintenance, Austin also helps lead wilderness trips and is a Red Cross Certified Lifeguard.