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, facilitated trainings and gatherings for the Association of Related Churches, traveled internationally as a speaker, served as a nonprofit consultant and was a chaplain for the NCAA MSU Spartan Football Team under coach Mark Dantonio.
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 as a Realtor and ran a small property investment company, experiences that shaped his practical, solutions-oriented leadership style.
His passion for leadership development began early—during his college years at the University of Olivet, where he studied communications, captained the varsity football team (setting two school records), founded a student Christian organization and was the Homecoming King (his wife was the Queen).
Scott holds a Bachelor’s degree in Communications with a minor in Journalism from the University of Olivet and has completed additional theological training through Great Lakes Christian College, Global University, RZIM and the Michigan School of Ministry.
Scott is passionate about making complex theological ideas accessible, practical, and relevant so people can thoughtfully wrestle with Scripture and confidently apply it to everyday lives. He loves accomplishing this goal by helping people ultimately connect with the Father's Heart.
Scott's greatest joy is knowing his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, his marriage to his wife (and Element pastor) Ericka and being a dad of his three incredible teenage and young adult children.
