Sarah Valenzuela
Financial Controller
Born and raised in San Francisco, Sarah relocated to San Diego after marrying her husband, Dylan. They cherish their family life with four wonderful children — three boys and one girl. Sarah was nurtured in a Christian upbringing and is passing on those values to her children. The family finds joy in camping, outdoor activities, and creating cherished family memories.
Sarah, who holds a degree in Business Administration from Biola University, started her career in Emmanuel Faith's Accounting department. She later joined Mission Hills Church as they sought an accountant, eventually becoming Director of Finance and Treasurer. Through God’s provision, she returned to Emmanuel Faith, where she joyfully continues to serve.
Jody Dietel
Business Administrator
Jody Dietel serves as our Business Administrator and oversees all Operations, including Finance, Facilities, Human Resources (HR) and Payroll, Information Technology (IT), Security, and the Holy Grounds Café. She’s attended Emmanuel Faith since 2001.
You’ll often see Jody singing in the Classic Worship service and at Worship nights. Jody lives in Escondido in the Harmony Grove area.
Mike Goulet
Pastor of Congregational Care & Senior Adults
We're pleased to welcome Mike Goulet to our staff in a "caring-for-the-congregation" pastoral ministry role. Mike brings many years of experience and ministering with and to people to this role.
Jessica Klootwyk
Jessica began following Jesus during her early elementary years while growing up in the state of Montana. It was there she met her husband, Andy, and together they have two incredible children, Jackson and Elise.
She is a Veteran of the United States Air Force and has continued her spiritual journey and service to the Lord in various places including Arizona, Germany, Georgia, Minnesota, Colorado, and Virginia. While living in Virginia, Jessica received her Master of Divinity degree from Liberty University and served vocationally in ministry there until she and her family relocated to Escondido to serve at Emmanuel Faith Community Church in the fall of 2023.
Jessica is passionate about encouraging growth and development in people and systems so that they are fully alive for the ministry of following Jesus and reflecting Him in the world. She loves spending time outdoors, strives not to take herself too seriously, enjoys making home her family's favorite place to be, and is committed to partnering with Jesus to bring about Kingdom change with her whole heart, mind, soul, and strength.
Luke B.
Luke joined our staff in the summer of 2020, coming over to our staff from another local Southern California church. Luke brings a passionate heart for ministry, and a solid background of both community and global outreach to our church family.
Cheri Wright
Cheri Wright serves as our Communications Director and oversees our various communications-related efforts including overall church and event promotions, social media, the printing and graphics team, and graphics/creative project management. She’s attended Emmanuel Faith since 1973 and her 2 children also grew up attending the children’s and youth programs here. She and her husband, Dave, live in Valley Center.
Nate Keating
Nate was born and raised in San Diego and Jesus found him when he was 15 years old on a camping trip. The Holy Spirit spoke through the words of Jesus in John 6:35 which says, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst."
Nate has an extensive career in both ministry and business. He has a strong passion for the areas of worship and creative arts, but especially songwriting and production and loves seeing others walk and grow in their gifting. As our Modern Worship & Creative Director, Nate oversees our Modern Worship and our Creative initiatives.
He also loves spending time adventuring with his wife and two boys. When he's not at church, you can find him and his family creating lifelong memories somewhere around the world.
Tory Kirgiss
Tory Kirgiss ( pronounced `ker - jis ) is a Midwestern transplant who was born in Chicago, Illinois, raised in Minnesota, and moved from Indiana to San Diego in 2014. His earliest childhood memories involve music, either from watching his parents performing on their instruments, or listening to their U2 and Eagles records.
Tory tended to get his hands on any instrument that was within his reach, usually without asking first. Although he deeply regrets quitting piano lessons early on, he filled his time learning guitar and playing percussion in school orchestra bands. In 2009 he graduated from the Atlanta Institute of Music & Media College (AIMM) in Duluth, GA, with a Performance Certification degree in drumming.
Tory began serving at EFCC in 2015 and was brought on to the staff in 2017. His drive to develop musical proficiency for EFCC’s worship services culminates from his desire to give his best to the Lord, who gave His best gift to us: life through Jesus. Outside of EFCC, Tory enjoys collaborating on music projects with friends, trail running with his wife Katie, backpacking in the mountains, and attempting to surf.
Randy Carter
Randy was born in Los Angeles, California. He was called to North County San Diego in 2003 to serve in a ministry where he was Maintenance Director for eight years, and then Food Service Director for seven years.
He has since become a part of the Emmanuel Faith team, joining the staff in 2017. However, his true passion is coaching and leading men to know and walk with Christ.
Randy is happily married to his wife of 26 years, Jennifer. They have two daughters, Jorgie and Tommie, and reside in San Marcos, Calif.