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Daily Bible Reading

Today's reading is from:
  • Ezekiel 31-33  
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Meet our Staff

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Craig Dumont - Senior Pastor

Craig Dumont - Senior Pastor I am married to Kathy and have 8 children, Kristin, Stephanie, Ka... Read more
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Edward Sans Gillies - Worship Pastor

Edward Sans Gillies: Worship PastorBorn in Houston, Texas Ed Gillies has been communicating Good New... Read more
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John Rantala: Children's Pastor

John Rantala: Children's Pastor (Ages 5-11)I was born in Warren, Michigan. I came to know the Lord i... Read more
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Jake Allen, MD, JD: Principal of Summit

Jake Allen, MD, JD: Principal of Summit Christian Academy Dr. Jake Allen grew up in Avon Park, Flor... Read more
More in: Christ Church Staff

Christ Church • 7868 Old M-78 • East Lansing • 517-339-1406 


Christ Church Staff

Jake Allen, MD, JD: Principal of Summit Christian Academy

Thursday, 09 September 2010 02:20

Jake Allen, MD, JD: Principal of Summit Christian Academy

Dr. Jake Allen with wife GailDr. Jake Allen grew up in Avon Park, Florida, where he accepted Christ as his Savior at the age of eight. He earned a B.S. in chemistry in 1976 from Stetson University, and an M.D. in 1979 from the University of South Florida. This was followed by service in the U.S. Army for ten years, where he completed a general surgical residency in Denver and was stationed in Fairbanks, Alaska, and San Francisco, California.  In San Francisco, he taught surgical residents in an academic setting. After separation from the military, he practiced medicine until his retirement in 2005.  While practicing medicine, he served as an elected school board trustee for nine years in a district of 12,000 students. He came to Michigan to live and attend MSU Law School. He graduated with honors in December 2008.

Dr. Allen comes to us from New Covenant Christian School where he taught American History, General Science, college prep Government, Physics, and Chemistry during the past two years.  Whether teaching surgical residents or Sunday school classes, Dr. Allen has always loved teaching. He feels that God has called him to this ministry of teaching and leadership at Summit Christian Academy.

Dr. Allen has been married to his wife, Gail, for thirty-four years and has six children. His interests and hobbies include water and snow skiing, basketball, camping, hiking, and running, to include multiple half-marathons and a marathon in 2007.

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John Rantala: Children's Pastor

Thursday, 09 September 2010 02:20

John Rantala: Children's Pastor John Rantala and his wife Kary(Ages 5-11)

I was born in Warren, Michigan. I came to know the Lord in elementary school and was called into the ministry in high school and subsequently attended William Tyndale College where I received two bachelors degrees (Adolescent Psychology & Religious Education).

An internship at my home church, First Baptist, followed and led to a full time position as a youth pastor which grew into the position of  director of Christian Education. I served in that capacity for twelve years.

On a personal note: During that time I was involved in a hunting accident and was shot and received 3 bullet wounds, so serious that it was only a miraculous work of the Lord that spared my life.  This event was a true near death experience and I realized that my work for the lord was not finished.

Soon after I married my wife Kary, and over the years God blessed us with two children (Lauren 8 / Tyler 3). I  have spent the last 11 years as a Christian school teacher, and this fall I returned to pastoral work as the children's ministry pastor at Christ Church.

The Lord continues to bless my family and I look forward to what the He has in store for the future of Christ Church children and my family.

In Christ Service,
John Rantala

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Edward Sans Gillies - Worship Pastor

Thursday, 09 September 2010 02:20

Edward Sans Gillies: Worship PastorEd Sans Gillies
Born in Houston, Texas Ed Gillies has been communicating Good News since the age of five. He has written over 50 songs, produced and appeared on numerous recordings. Over a 20 year span he worked with several ministries and produced hundreds of television programs making numerous on-air appearances as well. 

Ed performs and has an appreciation for all types of music, but his love is leading people in worship.  Although he has led worship in well over 3,000 church services and sung in hundreds of churches in his long career, his gift has given him the opportunity to be a lead worshiper in a variety of decidedly unchurched venues.

Ed has been joined in marriage and ministry to his wife Rhonda (an excellent singer and communicator) for 31 years and have two married sons.

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Craig Dumont - Senior Pastor

Thursday, 09 September 2010 02:20

Craig Dumont - Senior PastorCraig Dumont: Senior Pastor

I am married to Kathy and have 8 children, Kristin, Stephanie, Katherine, Craig II, Forest, David, Elizabeth and Paul. I am also the pastor of Christ Church of East Lansing (www.TheChristChurch.org), where I have served since it's launch as Living Water Church of God back in 1991. As the pastor of the church I also serve as the Director of Summit Christian Academy (www.TheSummitChristianAcademy.com), our church's K-12 school.

It's also my privilege to serve as the Vice President of the Center for Cultural Leadership (www.ChristianCulture.com), an outstanding organization founded and led by P. Andrew Sandlin, a man with great vision, incredible knowledge and lots of letters after his name! (I, on the other hand, only made it through college because of baseball).

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