PASTORS:
Jay and Becky Childs
815.459.1095 x315
jchilds@efccl.org
Jay Childs | Senior Pastor
MINISTRY:
Pastor Jay is ordained in the Evangelical Free Church of America. He previously pastored two different churches—one in Balaton, Minnesota and one in Midland, Michigan. Jay earned a B.A. from Cornerstone University, and an M.Div. and Doctor of Ministry from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. He has published articles in Leadership Journal, Preaching, Evangelical Missions Quarterly, The Evangelical Beacon, Engage, and The Leading Edge. Becky enjoys speaking at women's events and conferences, and has an active ministry discipling women.
FAMILY LIFE:
Pastor Jay grew up in southern California and then moved to Michigan as a teenager. Becky grew up in Boulder, CO, where she and Jay were eventually married. Jay also served on staff, at the Free Church in Boulder, as an intern for 7 months. They have three children: Ben (married to Ellie), Stacy (married to Andrew), and Heidi (married to Shawn). Jay and Becky also have eleven grandchildren.
PERSONAL LIFE:
In their free time, Pastor Jay and Becky love to hang out with friends, eat junk food, and watch epic movies like the Lord of the Rings trilogy, and Gettysburg. Jay and Becky also enjoy traveling, leading study tours to Israel and visiting missionaries around the world. Some of their favorite countries they've visited include: Malaysia, India, Greece, Ireland, Bosnia, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia.
GOD AT WORK:
Jay writes, "I love the Old Testament (Hebrew Bible). It contains such diverse material and stories of God working among His people. I thoroughly enjoy reading the historical books and then meditating in the wisdom books. The theology of the Old Testament is rich and nourishing. The prophets are also fascinating to read, as they summoned God's people back to surrender to their holy God. I also love to read books on just about any topic."
Some of Pastor Jay's favorite authors include: Tim Keller, D.A. Carson, Louis L'Amour, Rodney Stark, Al Mohler, John Piper, R.C. Sproul, and Martyn Lloyd Jones. Becky is also an avid reader. Some of her favorite authors include: Elizabeth Elliott, Carolyn Curtis James, John MacArthur, John Piper, Jerry Bridges, Joni Eareckson Tada, and A.W. Tozer.
Doug and Lisa Friesen
815.459.1095 x313
dfriesen@efccl.org
Doug Friesen | Pastor of Worship Ministries
MINISTRY:
This year will be Doug Friesen's 26th anniversary at EFCCL (he joined the staff in 1995), and he has been in full-time ministry for 30 years. Doug oversees our Worship, Technical, Connections and Communications ministries. He previously served as Worship Pastor at Evangelical Free Church of Moline, Illinois, where he met his wife, Lisa. Doug holds a Bachelor of Church Music from Wayland Baptist University (1989) and two Masters of Music degrees from the University of Missouri in Columbia, MO (Choral Conducting and Piano Pedagogy/Accompanying, 1991). Doug is ordained by the EFCA with a Certificate of Christian Ministry (2000).
FAMILY LIFE:
Doug and his wife Lisa have been married since 1994. Pastor Doug grew up in California, Minnesota, and New Mexico, where he graduated from high school. He and Lisa have two children, Katelyn and Joshua. The Friesen family love long drives, cooking, watching basketball, reading, chocolate chip cookies, Hatch green chilis, Lord of the Rings and all things Star Wars!
PERSONAL LIFE:
During his free time, Doug enjoys cooking, reading, and teaching others to play the piano.
GOD AT WORK:
"I love the book of Isaiah and find great comfort and encouragement in the truths found in this book. Recently, Isaiah 43:1-2 holds great meaning for me (emphasis added): 'Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you.'"
Ron and Mystele Kirkeeng
815.459.1095 x324
rkirkeeng@efccl.org
Ron Kirkeeng | Pastor of Student Ministries
MINISTRY:
Pastor Ron has been called to be a disciple-maker of students. He has served with NEXUS Student Ministries for the last 23 years at EFCCL (Ron joined our staff in 1998). Ron has a B.A. in educational ministries with a focus on youth ministry from Moody Bible Institute, a Masters in religious studies with a focus in disciple-making from Trinity Divinity School in Deerfield, and a Certificate of Christian Ministry from the EFCA.
FAMILY LIFE:
Pastor Ron is among the fourth generation of his family to be involved at EFCCL. He has grown as a disciple and disciple-maker in this church. He and his wife, Mystele, have two boys—Isaiah and Logan. If he and Mystele were in American Idol, she would win and he would lose! The Kirkeengs enjoy sports, pizza, and movies as a family.
PERSONAL LIFE:
In his free time, Ron enjoys the outdoors and keeping active. He is involved in Crystal Lake baseball and coaching. His sons enjoy baseball, football, and Nerf wars. The Kirkeengs also enjoy fine food like donuts, chocolate, coffee, steak, brisket, and pizza!
GOD AT WORK:
"It is my passion to live out the Great Commandment and Commission as a disciple-maker. It is my prayer
to live out Proverbs 3:5-6 every day, 'Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.'"
Tim and Margie Bruns
815.459.1095 x329
tbruns@efccl.org
Tim Bruns | Pastor of Adult and Care Ministries
MINISTRY:
Pastor Tim has had the privilege of serving full-time in ministry since 1986. He was a Pastor of Youth & Education at a church in Chicago; then served as a senior pastor at two churches in Ohio and Illinois. Tim joined our staff in December 2008 as the Pastor of Children's Ministries. He moved into his current role in the Fall of 2017. He has a B.A. in Bible & Theology from Moody Bible Institute and an M.A. in Religion from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. Tim was ordained by his home church in 1991 and is licensed (and working towards ordination) with the EFCA.
FAMILY LIFE:
Pastor Tim and his wife, Margie, both grew up in Chicago. They first met while in high school, dated a few years later, and were married in June of 1986. They have three adult children: Betsy, Merry (married to George), and Tim. As a family, they enjoy playing games and watching movies together. Tim and Margie love being grandparents to Ramon, Mia, and Anthony.
PERSONAL LIFE:
Pastor Tim loves to read (especially U.S. history, biographies, and biblical & theological topics). He and his wife enjoy taking walks and going to places like Brookfield Zoo, downtown Chicago, and the Art Institute.
GOD AT WORK:
"If I had to pick one set of verses, it would be Ephesians 2:8-10. It is a great description and promise of God's amazing grace for salvation and spiritual growth. Books of the Bible that I turn to often are Psalms and Proverbs - appreciating the theme of wisdom and identifying with the honest emotions of the writers."
DIRECTORS & MINISTRY STAFF:
DIRECTORS
KELLY DEMAKIS, Communications Director
P: 815.459.1095 (x339) | E: kdemakis@efccl.org
MARK KOLBE, Business Director
P: 815.459.1095 (x322) | E: mkolbe@efccl.org
NINA LOWE, Director of Connections
P: 815.459.1095 (x314) | E: nlowe@efccl.org
MIKE NIEMI, Tech Director
P: 815.459.1095 (x326) | E: mniemi@efccl.org
GABE MOORE, Director of Ministry to Men
P: 815.459.1095 | E: gmoore@efccl.org
EILEEN PALSGROVE, Global Outreach Coordinator
P: 815.459.1095 | E: eileenpalsgrove@efccl.org
HEATHER SOUKUP, Children's Disciple-making Director
P: 815.459.1095 (x336) | E: hsoukup@efccl.org
PEGGY STRASSER, Director of Ministry to Women
P: 815.459.1095 (x323) | E: pstrasser@efccl.org
MINISTRY STAFF
BONNIE KERR, Worship Ministries Assistant
P: 815.459.1095 (x325) | E: bkerr@efccl.org
BETHANY KEYES, Executive Ministry Assistant
P: 815.459.1095 (x310) | E: bkeyes@efccl.org
VENESSA MORRIS, Student Ministries Coordinator
P: 815.459.1095 | E: vmorris@efccl.org
DAVID PALSGROVE, Buildings & Grounds Manager
P: 815.459.1095 (x340) | E: dpalsgrove@efccl.org
MARY PEARSON, Adult & Care Ministry Assistant / Data Specialist
P: 815.459.1095 (x337) | E: mpearson@efccl.org
EMILY PETERSON, Bookkeeper
P: 815.459.1095 (x312) | E: epeterson@efccl.org
KEEGAN SMALLEY, Student Ministries Intern
P: 815.459.1095 | E: ksmalley@efccl.org
BUILDINGS & GROUNDS CREW / FACILITIES
NICK ACKERT, Buildings & Grounds
GENESIS BULLOCK, Facilities
GRETCHEN BULLOCK, Facilities
JIM MCMAHON, Buildings & Grounds
MILES SCOTT, Buildings & Grounds
KEEGAN SMALLEY, Buildings & Grounds