About us: Leadership

Leadership:

Nicholas Romanin

Lead Pastor

Lydia and I met each other as we entered into full time College student ministry. Our first ministry calling was in Mongolia and China, but even here in West Lafayette it has consistently been to reach international students on a college campus. Over the years, God has used our time in campus ministry to expand and stretch us; it is through campus student ministry that I began to be stretched and grown in leadership. Through our long-term relationships with young students, Lydia and I both began to learn about and grow passionate about marriage counseling and parenting ministry. And through all of this, I have grown in my understanding of God's gifting in me as a shepherd.

While none of this is perfect in us, we continue to see God grow and shape us, and I hope that we can grow together with you all.

We have five amazing children: Nathaniel (13), Ethan (12), Abigail (10), Raphael (7), and Joshua (4). As a homeschooling family, we value togetherness in all we do, and our intent is that our whole family will be praying into how we as a family can be on mission together. As you get to know us, I hope you can get to know our children too, and vice versa: we'd love to get to know your families!

If there is one word that sums what I believe God has us doing, it is discipleship; teaching and leading people to understand how to walk in the culture of the Kingdom, and how to recognize and use their gifting. I have seen God work through us as individuals with individuals. It will be a new challenge to lead a church to grow in this way. My heart is to see transformational discipleship happen! To see chains broken, wounds healed, gifts realized, and the people of Arise released to ministry. According to Ephesians 4:11-12, the Elders and I have been called to equip the saints of Arise for the work of ministry. I'm excited to begin this journey with you. I'm sure it will have its ups and downs, but please pray for me as I pray for you, and together, let's keep our eyes on the head of the church, Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith. He will lead us on, and will not fail us! And may His kingdom come here in Lafayette!

Barrett Myers

Worship Leader

Barrett Myers is most visible as the guitar-wielding leader of the worship team on Sunday mornings at Arise.

He's proud of being born in Colorado — but he lived there only for a year and actually spent most of his formative years in Kentucky before God brought him to Lafayette as a Purdue graduate student in 2005. With degrees in Computer Science and Technology, Barrett works as a software developer for DelMar Software Development.

His heart throbs with passion for several areas that Arise treasures — especially music and community. He led the inauguration of the church's home group ministry and coordinates the team of musicians who lead worship at weekly services. Barrett is a talented musician outside the church walls, too — he has published two collections of his own songs (The Coming and the Leaving and The Letting Go) and hosts a monthly radio show, Acoustic Blend, on Purdue's station WBAA.

Married to Joelle (whose voice often blends with his in worship), Barrett also enjoys leisurely hiking and more intense exercise and training — he loves to coach and is a previous owner of CrossFit West Lafayette. Finally, he has pursued deeper inner healing and transformation through a two-year program with the Soul Care Institute.

GOVERNING BOARD & ELDERS 2025

The Governing Board is responsible for administering church budget and business; the Elders oversee ministry more specifically. At the church's annual meeting, voting members elect individuals to serve on the Governing Board (one-year terms) and as Elders (staggered three-year terms). Elders and the Pastor also serve on the board.

Pastor Nicholas Romanin
Mike Smith (elder)
Robert Nacke (elder)
Jason Roehl (elder)
Keith Ernest (board member)
Joelle Myers (board member)

Paul King

Pastor Emeritus

Paul King served as Pastor of Arise from its founding as a merger church until his retirement in the 2020, after which he and his wife Kathy moved to Tulsa, OK. Paul's ministry spans nearly five decades as a pastor, university professor and administrator, church planter, Young Life leader, Christian school administrator, ministry and leadership consultant, and conference speaker.

In Paul's own words: "I love to teach the Word of God, to lead and mentor people into a higher life in Christ, and to equip every believer for ministry." He has two doctorates—a Doctor of Theology from the University of South Africa and a Doctor of Ministry from Oral Roberts University—and he continues to teach graduate-level courses and advise students.

He is also a prolific author. Paul says, "When I was 12 years old God called me to ministry and communicating His truth through writing." His dozen-plus books focus on the Higher Christian Life, healing, spiritual warfare, the Holy Spirit, faith, and finding purpose and calling in life.