Len Kageler, Ph.D. (Leonard.Kageler@nyack.edu) is Professor of Youth Ministry and Christian Education as well as Department Chairman. Before coming to Nyack full time in 1993 he spent 20 years as a full time youth pastor. He continues to minister to youth as a junior high volunteer at the Simpson Memorial Church here in Nyack.

Len received his BA from the University of Washington, his M.Div. from the North American Baptist Seminary, and a Ph.D. (Sociology) from Fordham University in New York City. He speaks and presents seminars around North America and the world. He has written seven books: two for youth, three for parents of teenagers, and two for youth workers. You can get more info on The Youth Ministers Survival Guide (Zondervan/Youth Specialties) or How to Expand Your Youth Ministry (Zondervan/Youth Specialties) from Amazon.com.

He lives walking distance to campus, is married and has four college age daughters. He is a serious runner, loves to backpack, ski, and is now learning to snow board.

Ron Belsterling (Ron.Belsterling@nyack.edu) was born and raised in the Pittsburgh area of Pennsylvania. He has two brothers, one an identical twin who is currently a Youth Pastor in Ohio. He met his wife Julie at Grove City College where they both attended in the early eighties. They have been married for 14 years and have 3 great kids, Samuel, 10; Joey, 8; and Emily, 5.

Ron went to Pittsburgh Theological Seminary after college. From there he moved to New Jersey to become a Youth Pastor and to work on a Masters in Counseling at Villanova University. His family stayed in New Jersey for several years while Ron continued Youth Pastoring as well as working as a Therapist. After Sam was born, the family moved to Syracuse where Ron took a position as Youth Pastor at Syracuse Alliance Church while he worked on a Ph.D. in Child and Family Services at Syracuse University. During this time, Ron was ordained by the Christian & Missionary Alliance. After completing all of his work except for a dissertation at S.U., Ron began teaching at Nyack College in our Youth Ministry and C.E. Department.

Since he started here, he has started working on a Ph.D. in Christian Education at Biola University and has become an editor for the Youth Ministry Journal. In addition to teaching at Nyack, Ron is an Interim Pastor, School Board member, and local little league (soccer, basketball, baseball) coach.

His primary hobbies are time spent alone with God and with his family. He enjoys camping, hiking, and participating (player/observer) in just about any kind of sport. His favorite food is pizza.