Our Staff

Abe Johnson
Senior Pastor

Pastor Abe has been on staff since 2009 and has been the Senior Pastor since April 2015. Abe is married to Kelly, who is the Science Specialist at Greenvale Park Elementary School in Northfield. Abe and Kelly have five kids. Their home is filled with laughter and lots of dolls!

Rob Ryden
Director of Worship and Administration

Rob has served on the Emmaus staff as worship director and administrator since December of 2008. He originally hails from the bustling burgh of Moose Lake, Minnesota and earned a bachelor’s degree from Luther College and a master’s degree from the University of Minnesota. Rob is married to Heather, who teaches in Northfield and their three children (Sam, Andrew, Grace) are high school and college age. Rob remains delighted with God’s call from an education into ministry and is continually amazed that it includes working with so many generous and passionate musicians and worshippers! Soli Deo Gloria!

Tim Drake
Pastor of Youth and Family Ministries

Tim has been enthusiastically serving in Youth Ministry for over a decade. Tim was born and raised in Buffalo, NY and completed his Youth Ministries degree at Liberty University in Lynchburg, VA where he also met his Minnesotan wife Jenni. He and Jenni were married here in Minnesota and decided to settle down here after living in Hawaii for 3 years. Tim and Jenni joined Emmaus in 2016 and have since welcomed their sons Kai and Kieren. Tim feels so blessed by the incredible sense of community here at Emmaus and their desire to serve others.

April Schweickert

Office Manager

April grew up in Hayward, WI and moved to Northfield in 1994 to attend St. Olaf College where she majored in Religion and Family Studies. She found Emmaus as a student and would ride the college bus to worship on Sundays. After graduation, she and her husband, Chuck, settled in Northfield and they have been members at Emmaus for over 20 years. In that time, April has served on several ministry boards, taught Sunday School, and sung in the Emmaus Choir, as well as volunteering in many areas of service and ministry. Over the years she has worked in several office managerial roles and felt God’s calling to serve as Emmaus’ Office Manager. April and her husband have two children, Augie and Helen.

Dennis McClintock
Bookkeeper

Dennis McClintock, Emmaus Bookkeeper, is also a fine art photographer. Almost before he was settled in Northfield, he began displaying his work on summer Saturdays as part of the Riverwalk Market Fair. Dennis also participates in the Northfield Arts Guild Riverfront Festival during Defeat of Jesse James Days. Dennis was raised in California but has been a Northfield resident, with his wife Sandy, since 2010. He has kept books for retirement trusts, small businesses and non-profits since the last century.

Jeannette Flittie

Director of Children and Family Ministries

Jeannette recently moved to Northfield from Bellingham, WA with her husband, Michael and  two children. Her son, Christian, is a junior in high school and daughter, Jene’, is a junior at St. Olaf College. Jeannette says, “I love the energy, curiosity, and honesty of children and work to always have them a part of my life in some capacity. I am passionate about them knowing their Savior, how valuable they are to Him, and how trustworthy He is as our Shepherd. I believe the Bible is the best place to learn these things”. 

Gerri Specken
Administrative Assistant

Gerri has been on staff at Emmaus since 2013. She enjoys spending time with her grandkids, enhancing her sewing skills and gardening. Gerri has a heart for helping others in the community and volunteers with several local organizations. She can be seen walking her tiny dog, Jaks, in her neighborhood.

Kening Hu
Building Maintenance

Ken graduated with a bachelors degree in China and worked as a High School teacher for 18 years before moving to the U.S. in 2001. He became a member of our church in 2002 and began his position in 2005 with his wife Leann.  They have a daughter named Shirly.

Jackie Gammon
Nursery Coordinator

Jackie grew up in Apple Valley and has lived in NYC, DFW, and finally Northfield. Jackie met and married her husband, Jonathan, in NYC. They welcomed their 2 sons, Archer and Theo, while living in TX. Jackie and Jonathan felt a calling to move closer to family, and that’s when they decided to move back to Minnesota. Northfield snuck up on them with its charm and they both felt the calling to put down roots here. Jackie is a P.K. (pastor’s kid), so she is basically an expert in Sunday morning Nursery care.  Jackie and Jonathan feel so blessed to be active members in the wonderful community of Northfield, and especially Emmaus.