Chuck joined ELI in 2009, after more than 25 years in the business world. With two engineering degrees and a wealth of experience, he brings with him much in the way of project management and organizational skills. Chuck took a leave of absence mid-career to do an M. Div. degree at Westminster Seminary (Philadelphia). Looking back, it was the Lord’s way of preparing him for his labors with ELI.

Chuck’s wife Debbie brings many strengths to the mission too. Having a background in secondary education, she taught middle school for several years, as well as home-schooled their two children. Debbie also has an M.A. in Marriage and Family Therapy. She is now semi-retired, and provides supervision for counseling interns. Debbie has a heart of mercy, especially for internationals. She and Chuck have hosted international exchange students in their home over the years as well.

Chuck serves as ELI’s Director of Training, overseeing the entire curriculum and the ELI faculty’s regional “Barnabas Teams”. His ELI work abroad has taken him to West Africa, South America and South Asia. Debbie accompanies him when time and circumstances permit.

The Emersons are natives of Western Pennsylvania, but they have lived in the Atlanta suburbs since 1991.