Leadership

Pastor Joel was born in Canada where his parents were serving as church planting missionaries. Throughout the course of their ministry, he also lived in West Virginia and Minnesota. He majored in Church Ministries at West Coast Baptist College where he met his wife Kerstin. During their first year of marriage, they served in Barrie, Ontario, before moving to Kerstin’s hometown of Marshalltown, Iowa where they led the youth ministry for 11 years. The Lord brought their family to Rogers in July 2018 to help with outreach, events, and the singles ministry. Joel and Kerstin have four (very active) boys - Hudson, Haddon, Henry, and Hunter - as well as a baby girl in heaven, Hallelujah Grace. Their family loves being outdoors whether for hunting, hiking, fishing, or golfing.

Cole quite literally grew up at Gospel Light, as the Cwenars lived in the church building for their first several months in Rogers. He has had a front row seat to all that God has done here from numerical growth to building expansions. While working on his online degree through Veritas Baptist College, an opportunity opened up for Cole to serve in the Christian school here at GLBC. He is involved in our children’s ministry and oversees the day-to-day operations of the school. He enjoys basketball, art, and a good pair of shoes.

Nicole is the 7th of 10 redheaded, pastor’s kids from Mitchell, South Dakota. Growing up, she had an interest in history and politics, and was active in local campaigns and events. During her senior year of high school, the Lord impressed on her to make a difference in the world through Jesus Christ, not politics. He redirected her to attend West Coast Baptist College in Lancaster, California, where she served on staff for 13 years upon graduating. After visiting Northwest Arkansas in July 2021, Nicole was drawn to the people and ministry of GLBC. She moved here the following December and serves as our Office Manager. She loves being an aunt, is a fan of the Oxford comma, and will never turn down pizza.