Norm and Alma Wakefield
The calling of God in Norm's life has given him a heart for men and their families. His calling as a child of God has birthed an emphasis on the gospel and relationship with Jesus Christ. It forms the basis for wisdom in all aspects of life and is the strength of Elijah Ministries. As a husband, Norm longs to see marriages that glorify God. His calling as a father of four, has given him a heart for family. When God called Norm into the pastoral ministry, God led him to disciple and encourage men. Leading people into the presence of God has come from his calling as a worship leader. The desire of his heart is to see God glorified in His people as they apply God's Word to their lives.
Mission
Elijah Ministries mission is to build the Kingdom of God and the local church by equipping men and their families to be disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ. Presently, this mission is accomplished through speaking at men's, family, and couples' retreats, church conferences, homeschool conventions, as well as audio and video resources, and printed materials.
History
The ministry was begun in 1994 while Norm Wakefield was pastor of Coast Community Church in Fountain Valley, California. In 1999, Elijah Ministries was organized with its own board of directors and now functions as a distinct non-profit ministry.
Doctrinal Statement
Believing that the Bible is our rule for faith and practice, all aspects of the ministry, from its organization to the content of messages, are founded upon God's Word and consistent with the Philadelphia Confession of Faith. Having stated above, without diminishing the importance of holding to sound doctrine, it is affirmed that the basis for fellowship between believers is not doctrine, but faith and love in Jesus Christ.
Board of Directors
John Gross, Chairman
John became a believer in 1980 and was discipled by Norm for a year before being moved to Louisiana by the company with whom he spent his entire career. He served as an elder at both Christ Community Church in Franklin, TN and StoneBridge Church Community in Charlotte, NC. He is the founder of The Barnabas Group in Charlotte, NC and is currently serving as the National Director of The Masters Program for Churches, a strategic coaching program for kingdom leaders. He lives in Jekyll Island, GA.
Jim Grandholm, Vice President
Jim became a board member in 1999, when The Spirit of Elijah Ministries first incorporated. Formerly a basketball player in the NBA, he started his own sports agency. He is now founder and president of Green Earth Electronics Recycling and Lake Michigan Asset Solutions. Jim and Carol live in Sawyer, MI and have three married children.
Kari Mitchell, Treasurer
Kari Mitchell is humbled to be called to be a “daughter of the King”, a wife to her husband Rod, and a homeschooling mom to her two sons who have entered into adulthood. She’s honored to serve on the Spirit of Elijah board having been personally touched through the ministry and being continually renewed in her mind and heart through the Live to Love message. Kari also serves as the CEO of Las Cruces Machine, Mfg. & Engineering and has served on numerous boards which includes a unique blend of corporate, public, and non-profit board room leadership in banking, healthcare, aerospace manufacturing, and education. Additionally, Kari was appointed to the New Mexico State University’s Board of Regents, where she was unanimously confirmed by the Senate and elected as Vice Chair of the board. Kari co-founded and scaled New Mexico’s first early college high school. She was a founding member of the state’s first private-public sector economic development entity; and was appointed by both Governor Bill Richardson (D), and Susan Martinez (R) to the State Workforce Development Board. Kari receives the honors of New Mexico’s Businesswoman of Influence, Citizen of the Year by the Las Cruces Chamber of Commerce, and the VIVA Award (Vision, Investment, Vitality & Action) by the New Mexico Association of Commerce and Industry. She received her MBA from the University of Houston.
Woody Robertson, Secretary
Woody's personal mission is to live "a real life with a real relationship with a real God." A first generation homeschool graduate, Woody is passionate about reaching the next generation of leaders. If you hang around Woody, you're sure to hear words like, "live life to the fullest," "purposeful living," or "world-changer" and he's helped young adults successfully navigate life-decisions for years. An entrepreneur and visionary, Woody has been a principle player in several start-up companies. In 2004, he co-founded Lumerit Education. Woody lives in San Antonio, TX.
Micah Wakefield
Micah was the business administrator of Elijah Ministries for many years. He began serving on the board of directors in 2015. He is Director of Research and Product Development for Swan Global Investments and lives in Las Palmas, Puerto Rico with his wife, Holly, and their 3 children.