Our Staff Team
Executive Director
Nate Boyd
In 2010, Nate arrived at Christian Encounter for an internship following some formative years in camp ministry. After spending time getting to know the students and witnessing the leaders at the Ranch intent on humbly shepherding, 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. ​While on a trip across California recruiting for interns, Nate met his future wife, Alyssa (intern 2012-2013). They’ve been married since 2014 and have two children, Lilly and Corban. 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.
Director of Student Life
Jensen Near
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 undergrad and seminary classmate - to call Jensen and his family to the Ranch. Jensen and his wife Elizabeth have three children, and enjoy good food, sports, and making people laugh.
Director of Outreach and Development
Jackie Turner
Jackie Turner joined the staff team in August ‘25. Jackie received a B.A. in Pastoral Ministry in 2015 and graduated from Western Seminary with a M.A. in Ministry and Leadership in 2019. She is a certified Critical Incident and Crisis Response Chaplain and an ordained Minister of Evangelism through Smartsville Community Church. Jackie has been featured worldwide on various media platforms and loves seeing the Gospel poured into the world.
Robbin Adams
School Teacher
Grace Bunn
Girls' House Leader
Kevin Campbell
Business Office Assistant
Paxton Fitzpatrick
Assistant Director of Discipleship
Caryn Galeckas
Office Manager
Elise Gallagher
Women's Counselor
Suzanne Hartley
School Principal
Zoya Lee
Communications Coordinator
Carissa Miller
Food Service Manager
David Ramey
Assistant Facilities Director
Angel Sanchez
Guys' House Leader
Austin Sather
Facilities Director
John Stewart
Director of Counseling
Salena Unitt
Chief of Staff
Sam Walker
Business Manager
Our Board of Directors
Dave Heitman, Chair | Professor
Daphne Huffman, Vice-Chair | Professor
Dave Thomas, Secretary | Engineer
Nick Breitbart, Treasurer | Businessman
Carme Barsotti | Physical Therapist
Nate Boyd | Executive Director, Christian Encounter Ranch
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