Ministry Directors
What I do: I connect with members, the community, and guests to Immanuel. When guests are ready, I walk with them through the Immanuel membership process and connect them with the body of Christ. Organizing volunteers to lead and care for others in our congregation and in the community is another part of my job that I absolutely love!
How and when I joined the Immanuel team: Teaching 3rd grade at Immanuel was my home away from home from 2006 to 2017. I opened the next chapter as Director of Connect Ministry in 2017.
Education and Experience: It has been such a privilege and pleasure to be in ministry as a teacher and ministry director for over 35 years. I hold an Associate’s Degree from Concordia, Ann Arbor, a Bachelor’s Degree from Concordia University Chicago, and a Master’s Degree in Educational Counseling from University of Missouri, St. Louis.
Memorable moment in ministry: I love my job and the people of Immanuel. Simply put, sharing life with our Immanuel family has created an abundance of lasting, memorable moments.
A few of my favorite things: Quality time with my husband and three adult sons, traveling, sports, reading, people, and Immanuel!
Favorite quote (and who said it): “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” Psalm 46:1
Cubs or Sox? Cardinals
Italian beef, deep dish pizza, or Chicago style hot dog? Deep dish from Georgio’s
What I do: I have the best job; it’s a mix of creativity, fun and collaboration. I take the ideas and details of the Immanuel Church and School and turn them into polished pieces that are easy to read and clearly communicate our purpose. I create, edit, play and edit some more.
How and when I joined the Immanuel team: Summer 2023. When the previous Director of Communications announced her retirement, I instantly felt called to share my talents. I’m excited to share Immanuel’s good works with our church members, school families and our community!
Education and Experience: Life has taken me on a few different paths. I graduated from Northern Illinois University with a Bachelor in Health Science and minors in Biology and Chemistry. After this, I spent 10 years in healthcare and fitness. In an interesting turn of events, I began working in marketing and community development in 2020. Since then, I’ve enjoyed learning and growing with the ever-changing world of marketing and communications.
Memorable moment in ministry: My favorite part of marketing and communications is connecting our cause to our community. Actions speak louder than words, so when we act with love and kindness towards others, we are sharing Jesus’ message of love, compassion and forgiveness.
A few of my favorite things: Running, gardening, cooking, exploring with my family and sunrises.
Favorite quote: My friend (and former boss) Robyn once told me, “you’re never wrong if you do the right thing.” Though it’s nothing profound, it’s a phrase that’s stuck with me through many chapters of my life.
Cubs or Sox? Cubs
Italian beef, deep dish pizza, or Chicago style hot dog? Georgio’s deep dish with sausage, garlic and tomatoes.
What I do: I am the Director of Discipleship
How and when I joined the Immanuel team: I joined the Immanuel team August 2021.
Education and Experience: I have a Bachelor of Theology (2007) and a Master of Arts in Bible and Theology (2018). I have led many Bible studies, men’s ministries, and spoken at numerous speaking engagements at youth conferences. While serving at Immanuel in 1999, I launched Mid-Pointe ministries with Shelly Davidson, which ran for nine years.
Memorable moment in ministry: When our men’s ministry group traveled to Washington DC for the “Stand In The Gap” event where 1.2 -1.5 million men had gathered to humble themselves before God and pray for the nation. Midway through the gathering, all the men were told on the count of three to call out the name of their church and it was a cacophony of garbled noise. Then the men were all told on the count of three to yell out the name of their Savior and it was the loudest, ground shaking unified noise I have ever experienced as everyone yelled out the name of Jesus.
A few of my favorite things: Music, softball, Bible study.
Favorite quote (and who said it): “The loneliest moment in life is when you experience that which you thought would bring you happiness and it leaves you feeling empty.” A reference to the God shaped void in every human being that can only be filled by God Himself.
Cubs or Soxs? Cubs (but I am a bandwagon Sox fan)
Italian beef, deep dish pizza, or Chicago style hot dog? Italian Beef
What I do: I am pleased serve as the Director of Music and oversee the entire Immanuel music program.
How and when I joined the Immanuel team: In January 2017 I was honored to join the Immanuel team.
Education and Experience: I hold a bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Northern Illinois University and a M.M.ed from VanderCook College of Music. Besides my thirty-five years as a band director in public education, I have served as a church Director of Music for over thirty years; leading both traditional and contemporary styles.
A few of my favorite things: Sharing my gift of music with others and using music as a bridge to bring people to a relationship with our Lord. Time shared with my family enjoying the blessings our Lord has bestowed upon us.
My motivators: As far as motivation, I have always been self-motivated.
Favorite quote (and who said it): ”The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall." -Nelson Mandela
Cubs or Sox? Cubbies all the way!
Italian beef, deep dish pizza, or Chicago style hot dog? Italian Beef with extra juice!
What I do: Jack-of-all-trades with a focus on media production and technology.
How and when I joined the Immanuel team: I first came to Immanuel so my oldest, Gabby, could play Upward basketball. While coaching, I found that I wanted to help improve the Upward program and volunteered to be the Coach Commissioner. While spending time at Upward on Saturdays, Gabby and I often talked with Pastor Erik about life and faith. One day, Gabby asked if we could check out a worship service. We did, we loved it, and the rest is history.
Education and Experience: I went to college for a bit but never found what really interested me. I’ve worked as a truck driver, an armed security officer in low-income housing, a private detective, a graphic designer, a self-defense instructor, and an IT professional before God called me to Immanuel.
Memorable moment in ministry: Grogg Fest -- the impromptu jam fest that made Confirmation Camp 2016 forever memorable. (You had to be there… it was awesome!)
A few of my favorite things: My family, my dog, and just about anything in the great outdoors.
Favorite quote (and who said it): “Fate whispers to the warrior, ‘You cannot withstand the storm.’ The warrior whispers back, ‘I am the storm.’” – Unknown
Cubs or Sox? Neither, baseball is boring (sorry). Go Blackhawks!
Italian beef, deep dish pizza, or Chicago style hot dog? Pizza, definitely pizza!
What I do: I am the Director of Youth Ministry. I hang out with junior high (6-8th grade) high school, and even some awesome college aged students. I also get to interact with all the students that go to Immanuel Lutheran School, and participate in worship in a variety of different roles on a Sunday morning.
How and when I joined the Immanuel team: I was called to Immanuel the summer of 2023
Education and Experience: I graduated from Concordia University River Forest (Chicago) in 2007. I have served at three different congregations (Cheshire, CT, Mount Prospect, IL, Burlington, IL) in my over 15 years of being a Director of Christian Education. I have experience working with children as young as preschool through older “more mature” adults.
Memorable moment in ministry: Being able to say that I have been to eight LCMS youth gatherings! (three times to New Orleans, two times to Orlando, San Antonio, Minneapolis, and Houston).
A few of my favorite things: Traveling and spending time with family, Coaching swim team, Leading Cub Scout events, Golfing, and Cheering on the Vikings, Twins, and Blackhawks
Favorite quote (and who said it): “Believe in yourself. Dream. Try. Do good.” Mr. Feeny “William Daniels”
Cubs or Soxs? I am a Minnesota Twins fans but if I had to choose I would root for the Cubbies.
Italian beef, deep dish pizza, or Chicago style hot dog? Deep Dish Pizza from Giordano’s, Hot Dogs from Gene and Judes, and Italian Beef from Mr. A’s (if they were still open).
What I do: My official role is Director of Upward, but I also lead the 7th/8th grade Confirmation program at Immanuel as well as help with the Jr High and Sr High Youth programs.
How and when I joined the Immanuel team: I have had many different roles since my family, and I joined Immanuel in 2007. I have led Sr. High and Jr. High youth groups, small groups, Bible studies and the Confirmation program. In the Summer of 2022, I assumed the role of Director if Upward.
Education and Experience: I have a Bachelor of Theology degree from Concordia University Chicago in River Forest, IL. I was the Youth Director and on the Board of the Preschool at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Prospect Heights, IL.
Memorable moment in ministry: I have many memorable moments during my years in ministry such as youth retreats, but I guess one memory that is very recent and just amazing is confirming 22 eighth graders in June 2022 here at Immanuel.
A few of my favorite things: Spending time with my family, spreading the Word of God to others, watching my two kids play sports, watching sports in general, playing golf, and bowling.
My motivators: One of the things that motivates me is my family. They keep me going each and every day.
Favorite quote (and who said it): "There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work and learning from failure." - Colin Powell
Cubs or Soxs? CUBS!
Italian beef, deep dish pizza, or Chicago style hot dog? Chicago style hot dog.