Meet Our Staff
The Christians of the Elmwood Church of Christ are committed to knowing Christ and making Christ known. Striving to bring both their personal and their church lives under the control of God, they try to follow Christ faithfully and submit their lives to the control of the Holy Spirit.
Campus Minister
Deron Freudenthal
Deron Freudenthal taught in the High School at Ezell Harding Christian School in Antioch, TN for 13 years. He spent the majority of those years teaching Bible and coaching basketball. Deron also served as a part-time college minister at Woodmont Hills Church in Nashville, TN. Deron came to Elmwood as the Campus Minister to Purdue University in October of 2013. He has a Master of Divinity and a Doctor of Ministry in Spiritual Formation, Missional Theology, and Church Leadership from Lipscomb University. He also has a certification in Spiritual Direction through the Scarritt Bennett Center in Nashville, TN and is a certified Premarital and Marital facilitator with Prepare/Enrich. He has a passion for God, family, food, and coffee. Deron enjoys helping people discover and deepen their faith as well as helping them learn how their gifts and interests can be a part of God’s redemptive mission in the world. Deron and his wife, Cindy, have two daughters, Madison and Makenzie. They enjoy trying new foods, all things Disney, sporting events, and traveling together.
Outreach Minister
Rafael Tirado
Rafael and Rut are from the Dominican Republic. They have three adult children: Esther Bryant (husband Jeremy), Jose, and Juan; and one grandchild: Lincoln Carlos. For over 30 years, Rafael has served as a minister and missionary in the Dominican Republic and the United States. Since 2000, Rafael has served with the Hispanic Organization for Preaching and Evangelism (HOPE Ministries) planting Hispanic churches and training leaders in Indiana. Rafael received his Bachelor in Theology (B.Th.) from Colegio Biblico at Eagle Pass, TX., a Master (M.A.) in Leadership Studies/Pastoral Leadership from Cincinnati Christian University, and his Ph.D. from Johnson University. In the Dominican Republic, Rafael also studied at the Autonomous University of Santo Domingo and the Dominican Free Methodist Seminary. Rafael has a passion for the Lord, for His people, and for those yet to know Him. He enjoys seeing God bring about spiritual growth and transformation through His Word as he preaches, teaches, and mentors. Rafael loves learning about theology, biblical governance and leadership, and Latino culture and leadership.
Preaching Minister
Josh Boyd
Josh has been preaching at Elmwood since February 2018. He has worked with the Let’s Start Talking ministry (teaching English using the Bible as a text) for over 25 years. He has spoken at churches from California to Tennessee and Malaysia to Brazil. He has written frequently for the publication “Power for Today” and has spoken at the Pepperdine Lectures. Josh earned his undergraduate degree at Lipscomb University and his Ph.D. at Indiana University. Originally from Ft. Thomas, Kentucky, Josh grew up as a preacher’s kid and now has put his own two children, Kinley and Knox, in the same role. He and his wife Gina have been married since 1995, and they love to travel together. Josh loves to preach, and his prayer each week is that the Spirit will speak through him to deliver the message God wants to be heard.
Join Us
This is a broken place for broken people—but we know a good doctor, and every day we strive to Know Him and Make Him Known. If you want to join us, you’re more than welcome.
Food Pantry
In order to better serve our community, families in need can make use of our well-stocked food pantry on a monthly basis.
Sermons
Couldn't make it last Sunday? Or would you like to catch up on sermons from the past? Either way, we keep a library of past sermons for you to take in at your leisure.
Our Ministries
FriendSpeak
Elmwood's proud to be involved in FriendSpeak. This is a program that gives non-native English speakers a chance at not only improving their conversational English, but it also gives them a friend.
Elmwood's proud to be involved in FriendSpeak. This is a program that gives non-native English speakers a chance at not only improving their conversational English, but it also gives them a friend.
Christian Student Center (CSC)
Elmwood’s Christian Student Center on Purdue’s campus is making a difference in the lives of college students that are searching for and deepening a relationship with Christ.
Elmwood’s Christian Student Center on Purdue’s campus is making a difference in the lives of college students that are searching for and deepening a relationship with Christ.
Youth & Family Ministry
Elmwood believes in the importance of ministry to teens and their families. Elmwood keeps teens involved in worship and a variety of activities.
Elmwood believes in the importance of ministry to teens and their families. Elmwood keeps teens involved in worship and a variety of activities.
LIFE Groups
Elmwood’s Life Groups are made up of six to twelve people who meet each Sunday evening in homes. They provide opportunity for Bible study, fellowship, and community.
LIFE Groups
Elmwood’s Life Groups are made up of six to twelve people who meet each Sunday evening in homes. They provide opportunity for Bible study, fellowship, and community.
Hispanic Ministry
Elmwood enjoys interacting with and ministering to members of the extensive Hispanic community here in Lafayette. We have a Spanish class/service at 10:40a.m. each Sunday.
Elmwood enjoys interacting with and ministering to members of the extensive Hispanic community here in Lafayette. We have a Spanish class/service at 10:40a.m. each Sunday.
Adult Ministries
We have active ministries for men, women, seniors and widows. Learn more and keep updated.
Adult Ministries
We have been in a partnership with Glen Acres Elementary School since the 2013/2014 school year. The goal is to bless our community by blessing children and families through their school.