Scott J. Hayes

Scott Hayes is the founder and lead pastor of Element Church in East Lansing, Michigan, a multigenerational church serving the Michigan State University and East Lansing communities. With more than 25 years of experience in leadership, communication, and organizational development, Scott has spent his career helping organizations grow by developing leaders and building healthy cultures. In addition to local church leadership, he has served as a regional leader for the Next Level Relational Network for pastors, as a nonprofit consultant and was a chaplain for the NCAA MSU Spartan Football Team.

Before his work in nonprofit leadership, Scott gained valuable experience in sales, entrepreneurship, and business. As a U.S. Territory Sales Manager with Agate Software, he helped secure major government contracts, including a multi-million-dollar statewide pilot project. Earlier in his career he worked in real estate and operations, experiences that shaped his practical, solutions-oriented leadership style.

His passion for leadership development began early—during his college years at Olivet College, where he studied communications, captained the varsity football team, and founded a campus Christian organization.

Scott holds a Bachelor’s degree in Communications with a minor in Journalism from the University of Olivet and has completed theological training through Great Lakes Christian College, Global University, and the Michigan School of Ministry.

Scott is passionate about helping people live with purpose, grow in faith, and respond to God’s calling in their lives.

Scott's greatest joy is knowing his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, his marriage to his wife (and Element co-pastor) Ericka and being a dad of his three incredible teenage and young adult children.