Leadership
Meet our wonderful leadership team!
These are the wonderful people who support our ministries here at Emmanuel:
Jason Gornicz
Lead Pastor
My wife Wendy and I have been married for over 22 years and have 5 wonderful children: Joshua, Rachel , Josiah, Jeremiah, and Anna. 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 22 years of marriage and 21 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
Manny
Marin
Family Pastor
Pastor Manny Marin was born in Staten Island, NY where he also started in ministry. He met his wife Vicki in Nyack College where she was majoring in Music Education. In 2001, God completed their “team” with the addition of their daughter Natalie. Together, the family has been in ministry for over 16 years, 10 of which have been spent in Student Ministry. Pastor Manny’s heartbeat is to see every student and family in a disciple-making environment. He also works in the marketplace as a Customer Success professional in the SaaS industry. In late 2019, the family began feeling the Lord call them to move on from New York City. They are excited to join the EAG family as we work together to reach every home in Allentown.
Anthony Jones
Associate Pastor
In September of 2021, Emmanuel was blessed to have Pastor Tony join our pastoral staff as one of our Associate Pastors. He will be responsible for the Evangelism and Visitation/Senior's Ministries. Pastor Tony has been married for over 38 years to his lovely bride Dawn, originally from Jamaica. They have two extraordinary children, Anthony Jr. and his daughter Tabitha, and four incredible grandchildren: Toni, Terron, Noah, and little Tia. Pastor Tony is originally from South Brooklyn, New York, where he met his wife Dawn, and they have been ministering for over 40 years. He is a graduate of Teen Challenge and graduated from David Wilkerson of Time Square Church ministry school, "Youth Challenge International Bible Institute" located in Sunbury Pennsylvania. Pastor Tony brings decades of experience to the table. He has experience with church planting, preaching, teaching, evangelism, prison ministry, Hospital/Clinical Pastoral Care, Drug & Alcohol Counseling, Leadership & Development training, team building, and conflict resolution. Pastor Tony has a strong administrative, facilitating, and counseling/therapy background and is proficient at hiring and training. Pastor Tony is here to answer any questions you may have and he is so excited to build powerful and lasting relationships with the community and the saints here at Emmanuel Assembly of God Church.
Blessings, Pastor Tony Jones
Carmen Marin
Sunday School Superintendent
Carmen is married to Manny Marin Sr. and is mother of two; Diane Smutek and Manny Marin.
At 14, Carmen accepted Jesus as her personal Savior. She is a graduate of Brooklyn College with a BA in Education and a minor in teaching English as a second Language. She receive her MS from Long Island University. Carmen worked as a teacher for the NYC Department of Education for 35 years which included teaching foreign language as well as a Mentor for new teachers entering the field. Carmen also Attended Pensacola Christian College for certification as a Principal of Christian schools and served 7 years as Administrator /Principal at El-Bethel Christian Academy on Staten Island, NY, and retired in 2006.
Carmen Marin has worked in many different areas of ministry: Missionettes sponsor, Coordinator, Sunday School teacher, Nursery and Preschool Leader and Christian Education Director.
Manuel
(Manny)
Marin
Men's Ministry
Manny and his wife, Carmen, moved to the Lehigh Valley from Staten Island, N.Y. in 2015. They lived on Staten Island for about 42 years and attended the “El-Bethel Assembly of God” for about 36 years. At El-Bethel they raised their two children, whom 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.”
Tara
Bender
Worship Leader
Ellie
Coyne
Ladies Prayer Fellowship Director
Eleanor (Ellie) Coyne is an Allentown native. She is a retired Registered Nurse. Ellie attended Hahneman Hospital School of Nursing. She also has a B.S. degree in Urban Ministry Management from Geneva College. She also has studied Biblical Counseling at Westminster Theological Seminary. Ellie has also studied Parish Nursing. At Emmanuel, Ellie leads Ladies prayer Fellowship, has served as Mission Secretary, teaches adult Sunday School and sings on the worship team. Ellie is the proud mother of five, proud grandmother of 11, and proud great grandmother of one.