History

The North Gate was first Established in 2009, as a small home-based hospitality house ministry; just outside the main gate of the 29 Palms Marine Corps Base in Southern California.

At that time our founders, Ryker and Marchelle Kern, began inviting young Marines and Sailors into their home and their lives. During that first five years, their home was full of young men and women whom the Kern’s served and loved with all their hearts.

Ryker was employed on base as a military defense contractor. Marchelle home schooled their children. In those days, much of the needed funds for ministry were provided by Ryker’s employment. However, as the ministry grew and became established, many folks and even the MCAGCC base Religious Ministries office began to offer some of the necessary financial support.

Hundreds of Marines received the gospel of Jesus Christ through weekly Bible studies; all were served and blessed, many were mentored and quite a few were baptized into faith in Jesus during those years.

The young guys and girls had opportunities to participate in weekly Bible studies, build life long relationships with one another, travel on many exciting “Advances” (some would say “retreats”), spend weekends together rock climbing, hiking, camping, going to concerts and other events, and to just hang out at the house away from the barracks for as long as they liked.

Then in 2014, a military drawdown resulted in Ryker’s company disbanding entirely and he was given an offer to transfer his skills to a job near Ft Knox, Kentucky.

Recently, one of the young men who was directly mentored by Ryker, returned to the 29 Palms Marine Corps Base to fulfill his calling to serve with North Gate Christian Ministries; as our first official missionary.

Josh and Jessica DeJong now have a home near the base and are inviting young Marines and Sailors into their lives in much the same manner in which Josh was blessed, when he was one of those young single Marines.

Ryker and Marchelle now have a home near Ft. Knox, and continue to reach out to military service men and women there in much the same way as they always have.

Now though, with a prayerful eye to expanding the reach to other bases and posts around the country.

Beliefs

North Gate’s primary mission is to disciple and train young men and women to be set apart from worldly culture, and be given in service to the Kingdom of Heaven here on earth. We do that through regular weekly group Bible studies near established military bases. We also offer one-on-one encouragement for those who ask for additional help in dealing with personal matters; from older believers who have faced the trials of life and come out victorious in their faith in Jesus.

Our secondary focus is to develop a community of believers worldwide who are devoted to lift each other up in prayer and share their resources and time, in order to enable others to walk in strength in their daily lives. We do that by encouraging fun activities and meals together, so that we might develop relationships that stand the test of time. Covenant living is where we all need to be focused on right now, by learning how to bear with each other and prefer one another above own self.

We believe in the Trinity of God. Father, Son and Holy Spirit: we believe Jesus and the Holy Spirit are manifestations of our Father God and are exact expressions of who the Father Himself is. They do not do anything on their own, but only as they see the Father doing. The three are ONE PERSON.

We believe in the virgin birth – that Jesus didn’t have a lineage from an earthly father. And that He was born without a sin nature, and He also chose to NOT disobey God during his full lifetime. Jesus was the second Adam, fully human, and He ran the course which Adam was meant to do; only successfully. Jesus was the perfect sacrifice, to atone for the sins of Adam and his offspring.

We believe Jesus came to make all things new, and was the repairer of the breach between man and God. He is the Resurrection and the Life. He makes us new creatures by giving life to our spirit, He also heals our bodies along with our souls.

We believe that the Holy Spirit lives in us, if we are born into the family of God by faith in Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit seals us for salvation, convicts us of sin, comforts us, leads and guides us, and gives us gifts for the edification of the Body of Christ. He also produces His fruit through us, and we can walk in the same works that Jesus Himself did, if we learn to walk in the Spirit.

We believe that all humans are made in the image of God, and are sacred. We also believe man was given charge of the earth, to govern it and all the creatures, so that we need to be good stewards of the planet, starting with our own self and family.

We believe that there is a hell which is made for the purpose of judgment for Satan and the fallen angels. We do not believe that there are humans who are pre-ordained for hell, but ALL mankind is given the chance for salvation. God’s arm is not too short that He can’t reach ANYONE, to lift them up and set them on solid ground, if they ask Him to. We believe that heaven is where God dwells, and Jesus sits at the right hand of the Father, mediating for us. Our time on earth is a test and we will be judged for what we do and say; and if we have made Jesus the Lord of our lives, we will be given the opportunity to spend eternity with God.

We believe that we are not meant to be islands unto ourselves, but that believers MUST learn how to love each other, forgiving one another and believing all good things about each other. So that we can work together to accomplish the tasks God has for us.

Leadership

Founders/Directors at Ft Knox – Ryker and Marchelle Kern

Ryker Kern was an enlisted soldier in the US Army in 1981-1985. He spent a year with
the hospitality ministry called Cadence, Intl while stationed in Germany. When he transferred to Ft. Campbell, Kentucky, he got involved in Navigators military ministry, and was asked to be on staff after he left the Army. Navigators trained him in Breckenridge, Colorado and he led Bible studies for them with many young people attending.
He married his wife 36 years ago, and their children all serve the Lord in their adulthood. God has been good to add a few others to the circle, as family members were adopted in. Ryker has been a military contractor for much of his career, spending time serving the armed forces. He now works remote for a real estate company.
Ryker has a bachelor’s degree from Univ. of Mississippi in Political Science, and is an ordained and licensed minister. He has officiated many weddings, and baptized many young people.

Marchelle Kern went to Belmont College in Nashville, TN, where she met Ryker, and married her husband in 1987. Moving to Ft. Richardson in Alaska with him a little over a year later, she began to understand the nomad life of a military contractor. Following Ryker around, she has served her family by homeschooling her children and getting to know the military families they much admire. Marchelle makes great meals, takes care of the paperwork and website, and does the logistics for all the events and trips the young people of North Gate take part in.

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Board Members/ Directors at 29 Palms – Josh and Jessica DeJong

Josh DeJong was an enlisted US Marine stationed at 29 Palms, CA back in 2010-2013.
He attended North Gate ministry during his years there, and became very
knowledgeable about the Word of God. He then served as a Police Officer for a couple local municipalities in Southern California for a few years, and got experience in serving
the public and helping people on the street. He used his GI bill to further his education, while working in law enforcement. He received his theological training at San Diego Christian College.

Jessica DeJong helped lead a youth group at a large southern California church, while in her 20’s. She spent quite a bit of time doing foreign missions in Rwanda and Haiti. She is an RN and received her degree in Nursing from Saddleback College, and has worked many years in various roles in healthcare.

Josh and Jessica are parents to one child, with another on the way. They are leaders in their local church

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Beliefs

Leadership

Founders/Directors at Ft Knox – Ryker and Marchelle Kern

Board Members/ Directors at 29 Palms – Josh and Jessica DeJong