LIFE ON A WORKING RANCH
THE WORK OF THE FARM
FOSTERS LIFE
In a world that is growing more and more virtual, the farm anchors students to the physical world that surrounds them.
Responsibility
Students take part in growing and raising their own food, cutting and burning their own heat, and identifying and solving a host of problems that come with living so close to the land and to one another.
Practical
Skills
The daily rhythms of the farm foster responsibility and compassion. Students experience a rare physical connection to life and land that is both deeply challenging and highly redemptive.
Faith &
Community
Through it all, students explore the message of the Gospel and develop transformational relationships with God and each other.
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Our Team
Rockside Ranch Staff
This team works to support all Rockside Ranch locations
Craig & Jen Thompson
FOUNDERS
Craig and Jen founded Rockside Ranch in 2011 out of a passion for life restoration, program ministry, and deep discipleship. They met at Azusa Pacific University in 2006, were married in 2010, and started Rockside Ranch six months later. The Rockside family has grown so much since then, and they are so, so thankful to be a part of it!
Nick & McKenna Remeyer
EXECUTIVE 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.
Abby Dahlberg
DIRECTOR 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.
Zack Williams
DIRECTOR 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.
David Dicken
DIRECTOR 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.
Asher Beane
MARKETING 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.
Rockside Etna Staff
Etna, California
Nick & McKenna Remeyer
EXECUTIVE 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.
Jordan Orender
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. After serving on staff at Mount Hermon, where he met his wife Annabel, Jordan is passionate about sharing Christ's love by helping others find healing and hope in God.
Cain Dahlberg
GROUNDS 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, then sensed God was calling him back to pour into the young men at Rockside.
Stephen Dolan
FARM MANAGER
Stephen loves to work outside with his hands.
Kris Wilson
WORKFORCE MANAGER
Kristopher served 23 years with the US military where he led and supervised hundreds of troops at a time. 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, and is actively pursuing a Theological Seminary degree.
McKenna Remeyer
REGISTERED 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.
Jacob Smith
FARMHOUSE DIRECTOR
Jacob grew up in Memphis, TN. He developed a love of the hospitality industry during four years at a local steakhouse, then moved to Scott Valley in 2015, working at Scott River Lodge. He met his wife Megan and they were married in 2016; they have two kids, Adelaide and Cooper. He enjoys coffee, reading, fountain pens and notebooks.
Nate Serrentino
PROGRAM LEAD
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Michael Gonzales
PROGRAM LEAD
Michael is from Ohio. Although that may be the least interesting thing about him. He is hard-working, kind, and a lover of the lord. He has had a heart for ministry for many years. The lord has placed Michael here to help with our ministry and serve these young men in such an intentional way, and to be the light he truly is.
Rockside Black Hills Staff
Black Hills, South Dakota
Matt & Ketura Veal
DIRECTOR & HOST FAMILY
The Veals are from Sturgis, South Dakota and got connected to Rockside through friends. Matt and Ketura served as youth pastors at Open Bible Church 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.
Chance Beautiful Bald Eagle
PROGRAM MANAGER
Rockside Great Lakes Staff
Allegan, Michigan
Zach & Jordyn Osburn
DIRECTOR & 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 an even greater passion for raising up people. They have added seven kids to the family via adoption and foster care. When they met the Rockside team in 2021, they knew it was a God-ordained partnership.
Cory Sims
FARM 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 and his wife Lisa have been married since 2008 and have two daughters and two sons.
John Bergeon
PROGRAM 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.
Board of Directors
Joe Tomkiewicz
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. He is a financial advisor and operates Sierra Financial Advisory, an investment advisory firm.
Dr. Steve Gerali
VICE 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.
Jen Thompson
SECRETARY
Jen founded Rockside Ranch with Craig in 2011, and spent fifteen amazing years learning how to serve and love and farm at Rockside Ranch in Etna, CA. Today, she serves alongside Craig at Mount Hermon Christian Camps and Conference Center in Santa Cruz, CA.
Craig Thompson
TREASURER
Craig and Jen founded Rockside Ranch in 2011. A fourth generation California farmer and graduate of Azusa Pacific University, Craig is deeply passionate about family, life restoration, and long term discipleship. He is the President and CEO of Mount Hermon Christian Camps and Conference Center in Santa Cruz, CA.
Mark Klever
Mark is the Dean of Career and Technical Education at the College of the Siskiyous. Before moving to Siskiyou County, Mark spent over 20 years at Cal Poly State University managing the University's 6,000-acre farm. In 2011, Mark and his family moved to Siskiyou County and became the President and General Manager of Belcampo Farms.
Joel Hanson
Joel has spent over a decade in Silicon Valley leading various teams at Okta as they grew from ~140 employees to over 6,000. Joel is passionate about security, leadership, and giving back. His focus as a board member is to help scale Rockside to impact as many men in crisis as possible.
Kari Williams
Kari grew up in Yreka and married her high school sweetheart, Jason, in 1998. Kari has a heart and passion for those who have walked through hardships and trauma and desires for all to know they are fearfully and wonderfully made in the image of God. She has a degree in business admin and financial accounting.
Josh Gustafson
Josh is a former executive at Mercer Advisors where he was the Head of Wealth Management. He is a Certified Financial Planner with a degree in Economics from Westmont College. He lives in Denver with his wife Jennifer and their three children.