Chairman
Joe lives in Grass Valley, CA with Judy, his wife of 34 years. He has two children and three grandchildren. He has served in church leadership for decades in the roles of deacon and elder and has a passion for men’s discipleship. Serving on the Rockside board is a return to his roots in Scott Valley where he grew up. He is a financial advisor and operates Sierra Financial Advisory, an investment advisory firm.
Read MoreVice Chairman
Steve is a former professor at Azusa Pacific University and Dean of Christian Studies at Grand Canyon University. In 2016, Steve founded Sanctuary Claremont, a nonprofit church and coffee house in Southern California. Steve has mentored hundreds of students over his career.
Read MoreDIRECTOR & HOST FAMILY
The Veals are from Sturgis, South Dakota and got connected to Rockside through our friends the Falcons and Painters. Matt and Ketura served as youth pastors at Open Bible Chuch in Rapid City for nine years, and Matt retired from a career as a deputy with the Pennington County Sheriff's Office. They have known RJ, a graduate of the Rockside program, since he was a little boy. Matt shared “Once we saw the transformation in RJ happen - we knew this was something we wanted to be a part of.”
Email Matt
Program Lead
Joe grew up in Rapid City, South Dakota and was a member of Matt Veal's youth group. A deep love for people and a calling to ministry led him to Rockside. Joe feels privileged to work with the staff in Black Hills and is delighted to bring the Kingdom of God to the hearts of the students. His hobbies include backpacking, fishing, hunting, and writing.
Read MoreSecretary
As a little girl, Jen dreamed of starting a ranch for healing and restoration. She grew up in LA, but spent her summers in Big Sky country Montana. After graduating from Azusa Pacific University in 2009 and co-founding Rockside Ranch in 2011, Jen became a Nutritional Therapy Practitioner and has dedicated herself to wellness education and instruction at Rockside Ranch.
Read MoreFounders
Craig is a 4th generation farmer from Chico, CA. Craig and Jen met at Azusa Pacific University in 2006. After college, Craig moved to Etna to join the staff of Kidder Creek Camp (part of Mount Hermon) and in 2010 Jen joined the camp staff as Ranch Camp Director. They were married by the end of that year and six months later they started Rockside Ranch where their love for farming and redemptive program ministry come together.
Read MoreExecutive Director & Host Family
Nick, originally from Southern California, found a second home in the mountains and rivers surrounding Etna. After studying theology at Biola University, he met his wife, McKenna, while living in San Diego. Early in their relationship, they sensed God’s call to move north and join the work He was already doing at Rockside Ranch.
Since stepping into ministry here in 2020, it has been one of their greatest joys to witness the lives God has restored. Nick is honored to serve this community and looks ahead with great hope for the restoration still to come.
Read MoreDirector of Development
Abby grew up in Scott Valley and always knew she’d come back. Her time at Biola University, Kidder Creek, and Mount Hermon shaped her love for community, and radical hospitality. What she didn’t expect was that Rockside would become the place where God wrote a love story she didn’t expect. Now married to Cain, she feels grateful to call the ranch home and to serve in the place where they both know God has called them. She loves slow mornings with her coffee, cooking for the people she loves, backpacking in the mountains, and walking around the ranch with her dog, Hazy.
Read MoreDirector of Admissions
Zack is from San Diego, CA with a background in entrepreneurship and overseas missions. Zack first visited Rockside Etna in 2020 and immediately fell in love with the mission. He loves connecting with student candidates and their families. In his free time he loves surfing with his wife, playing music and making short films.
Read MoreDirector of Alumni & Family Support
David serves as a Crisis Counselor and Support Specialist at Rockside Ranch. Appointed Director of Alumni and Family Support in January 2020, he has been instrumental in helping young men overcome life’s challenges. Drawing on his extensive background working with individuals who have faced adversity, David provides compassionate guidance to students, alumni, and their families.
He is dedicated to helping individuals build resilience, rediscover their true identity, and live according to God’s original design—a life that overflows with beauty and harmony. David’s work centers on empowering survivors not just to survive, but to thrive.
Read MoreDirector & Host Family
Since moving to Shady Creek Farm in 2014, Zach and Jordyn have had a passion for raising nutrient dense, naturally healthy food -- but they have had an even greater passion for raising up people. They have added seven kids to the family via adoption and foster care, and their farm has been able to offer work, a place to stay, and a mentoring opportunity to people in transition or crisis. When they met the Rockside team in 2021, they knew it was a God-ordained partnership with people who had the same heart and mission. They are thrilled to be directors for Rockside Ranch Great Lakes.
Read MoreCreative Manager
Asher is a Scott Valley local. As a teen he spent many hours learning photography and videography.
For the past few years he has worked as a freelance creative with the goal of combining his passion for digital arts and a desire to serve God alongside other young Christians in his community. He is excited to now be on the Rockside team to help share the many stories of restoration.
Program Manager
Jordan was born and raised in California’s Central Valley, where he developed a love for animals and helping people early in life. He studied Animal Science at Reedley College and Recreation Therapy at Fresno State, inspired by the healing he saw through animals. After serving on staff at Mount Hermon, where he met his wife Annabel, Jordan has a new life in Christ and is passionate about sharing Christ’s love by helping others find healing and hope in God.
Read MoreGrounds Manager
Cain was born and raised in Rapid City, South Dakota. He was in crisis when a friend told him about Rockside Ranch. He completed the student program in 2022. After graduating, he felt led to join YWAM and do their 6 month Discipleship Training School. During his time with YWAM he sensed God was calling him back to pour into the young men at Rockside. In his downtime you will find Cain working out, playing cribbage or studying the bible.
Read MoreWorkforce Manager
Kristopher served 23 years with the US military where he led and supervised hundreds of troops at a time and thousands over the course of his career. Upon retirement, he and his family moved to Scott Valley after hearing a calling to ministry. Kris uses his background and training to develop leadership, organization, and effective teamwork at Rockside Ranch. In addition, Kris is actively pursuing a Theological Seminary degree.
Read MoreRegistered Nurse
McKenna earned her B.S. in Nursing at Point Loma Nazarene University. She is passionate about approaching health, wellness, and recovery holistically. She and Nick, and their two kids, Elliot and Willa, live at the ranch in Etna. McKenna loves to bake, knit, and go on long woods walks.
Read MoreFarm Operations & Logistics Manager
Cory has been a mechanic of vehicles and golf course equipment since 2006. In early 2022, He felt the Lord leading him to Rockside Ranch Great Lakes, where he could utilize his love for farming. He has been friends of Zach & Jordyn Osburn since 2017, and been through some life restoration with them walking along side of him and his family. Now is his chance to pay it forward, with God at the center. He and his wife Lisa have been married since 2008. They have two daughters and two sons.
Read MoreProgram Manager
John was born and raised in Kalamazoo, Michigan and has two children. He was a trade plumber for over 15 years and found himself lost without purpose. He completed the student program and was radically changed by the love of Jesus. Since joining the staff, John has had the privilege of leading other men in the path of life restoration. John can fix just about anything and is a tremendous asset to the program and the team.
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