Children's Ministry

Emily Holland brings energy, joy, and a heart full of faith to Gateway Church’s Children’s Ministry! A California native, Emily was born and raised in Pasadena, where her journey with Jesus began early.  By 4th grade, she was already teaching Sunday School to preschoolers at her small Armenian Evangelical Church (yes, you read that right—4th grade!).

Emily’s passion for ministry kept growing, from serving in Awana and special needs ministry at PazNaz to eventually sensing God’s call to pastor His church. She earned her degree in Elementary and Special Education at Grand Canyon University, but just before graduating, God nudged her in a different direction: *not the classroom—*but the church. That leap of faith led her to a summer internship and then a pastoral role at PazNaz, where she served as the Family Life Associate Pastor and later as the Special Needs Pastor.

In 2020, during the uncertainty of the pandemic, God called Emily to a new church home—Gateway! A year later, she completed her Master’s in Pastoral Ministry at Northwest Nazarene University and stepped into her dream of pastoring children full-time.

When she’s not leading Sunday school, planning epic kids’ events, or sharing the love of Jesus, you’ll find Emily bargain shopping, going to Disneyland, or snuggling with her two pups, Roxy and Ash. She’s been married to her wonderful husband Ryan for four years, and she loves to travel and go on adventures—her dream destination? Greece!

Emily’s heart is to help kids build a strong foundation of faith, know that they are deeply loved by God, and grow in their relationship with Him from an early age.

Her favorite verse: “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord…” —Jeremiah 29:11