Leadership

My wife Wendy and I have been married for nearly 18 years and have 5 wonderful children: Joshua (15), Rachel (13), Josiah (11), Jeremiah (9), and Anna (6). We believe that marriage and family are the building blocks not only of the Body of Christ but of civilization as well. Therefore, Wendy and I pour our lives into our marriage and our children; we spend a lot of time together playing, vacationing, reading the Word and praying. We love football (Go Giants!), the beach and nature in general, spending much time in the woods hiking. Day trips are common for our family, whether it is a trip to the zoo, a picnic at a state park or a dinner at Wendy’s. Wendy and I both have a hunger to spend much time in the presence of God through His Word, prayer and intercession, and silence and solitude. We strive to teach our children to do the same. And yes, after almost 18 years of marriage and 16 years of ministry, Wendy and I still date each other 

I am a Pastor who believes strongly in discipleship and community. My ministry philosophy consists of three main parts: to preach the Word, pray, and identify and pour into leaders and workers so they, too, can do the work of ministry. The goal of this is that we would grow in God’s grace and relationship with each other, know Christ better, and, as disciples, fulfill the Great Commission and the Great Commandment in our community

Pastor Josh holds a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from Shippensburg University and a Master’s in Information Security from Carnegie Mellon University and currently also works outside the church in IT Risk Management.  Pastor Josh and Sarah were married in 2006 and arrived in Allentown with the intention of staying for two years before moving closer to Josh’s work. God, however, had radically different plans for their lives. Approximately one year after arriving at Emmanuel, Josh and Sarah were asked to lead the youth group. They were blessed to serve in this ministry for almost 5 years. During this time Josh worked through correspondence courses from the Berean School of the Bible and received his pastoral license in 2011. Josh and Sarah have been blessed with two amazing sons, Josiah and Judah. Josh currently serves as the Outreach Pastor at Emmanuel, helping to coordinate various outreach activities and taking every opportunity he can to remind everyone that we have been placed here to change the world and that outreach is the responsibility and privilege of every believer that should be ingrained in our daily lives as well as every ministry of the church.  

Aixa Gonzalez was born in Rochester, NY to Puerto Rican parents who came to pastor in Allentown PA when she was 11 years old.  Born as a “PK” (pastor’s kid) she has been fortunate to know the Lord her whole life. She went to “Colegio Biblico Misionero” (Bible school) where she learned to love the word of God. Her secretarial experience comes from working for the Lehigh County and the Department of Commonwealth of PA for over 10 years. She is a wife of over 20 years to David Gonzalez, a mother of two young men, and a grandmother of two. 

She is excited about leading the women's ministry, BOLD, at Emmanuel where together we get to talk about God and get into His word and participate in small DIY craft projects.  She feels truly blessed to be able to apply her secretarial skills in the house of the Lord as well as work with all the Beautiful Oustanding Liberated Dames here at EAG! 

Carly Smith is a math teacher at Emmaus High School and a group exercise fitness instructor.  She graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Math Education from Bloomsburg University in 2011 and is currently going for her Master’s in Instructional Technology at East Stroudsburg University.  She came to know the Lord in 2012 and attended Spring Valley Church of God in Reading. She was the college age ministry leader there for over a year until she moved to the Allentown area.  Carly been attending Emmanuel since 2017 and recently became a member.  She has been involved in the young adults ministry here at Emmanuel for over a year and is excited to take on the leadership role!

   Manny and his wife, Carmen, moved to the Lehigh Valley from Staten Island, N.Y. in 2015.  Prior to that they lived on Staten Island for about 42 years.  There they attended “El-Bethel Assembly of God” for about 36 years. At El-Bethel they raised their two children, who today continue to serve the Lord. The Lord has also blessed them with three greatly beloved Grandchildren.

   As a boy Manny was raised in a Christian home.  His parents came to saving grace in about 1954, a few years after arriving in New York from Puerto Rico. Over the years his family attended various Evangelical/Pentecostal churches including Assembly of God churches. Although Manny accepted the Lord as his savior at 11 years of age, the allure of this world would eventually lead him astray as he sought his own path in life.  Manny was about 31 years old when God in His mercy drew him back to the fold. In the years since, the Lord has opened doors for him to serve Him in many capacities, such as Royal Rangers Leader, Head Usher, Men’s Ministry leader and Church Board member. As a Board member Manny was sometimes called upon to advise the Pastor and Board on matters of security and protection.

 On a professional level Manny completed work towards a bachelor’s degree in “Organizational Management” with an emphasis on “Security & Protection.”  He served our country for 30 years in both military and civilian service. As a Federal Agent he retired from the United States Customs Service in 1999.

   Today Manny is grateful to God for His many blessings through the years as well as for the opportunity to continue to serve Him here at “Emmanuel Assembly of God.”