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 Doctorate 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 have twelve grandchildren.
PERSONAL LIFE:
Jay and Becky enjoy reading, walking, traveling, and 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 (the 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: R.C. Sproul, D.A. Carson, Louis L'Amour, Erik Larsen, John MacArthur, David McCullough, John Piper, J.C. Ryle, Thomas Watson 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:
Doug joined the EFCCL staff in 1995, and he has been in full-time ministry for over 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 since 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 on 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. 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.'"
Gabe and Dawn Moore
815-459-1095 x 329
gmoore@efccl.org
Gabe Moore | Pastor of Discipleship and Care Ministries
MINISTRY:
After serving in various pastoral roles for over two decades, Gabe came to EFCCL to be Men's Ministry Director in 2022, and now serves in this pastoral role. As Pastor of Discipleship and Care , he works with many of EFCCL ministries providing leadership and strategic oversight for discipleship, education, spiritual formation and pastoral care. He has a degree in Pastoral Studies from Moody Bible Institute and is pursuing his credentials with the EFCA.
FAMILY LIFE:
Gabe grew up in Ohio and moved to Chicago to attend Moody Bible Institute. After graduating, he met Dawn while interning at a church in McHenry. Dawn is a lifelong resident of McHenry County. They have been married since 2003. After being blessed with 5 kids, they began fostering and added a sixth through adoption. They continue to foster additional children, and are currently a family of 10!
PERSONAL LIFE:
In the occasional free moment, Gabe may be found reading or making a new shelf, door or customized accessory for the house. He will carve out time on Saturday to watch the Buckeyes play football. He loves music of varied genres including worship, classical and broadway tunes. Gabe and Dawn both enjoy finding "treasures" at resale shops.
GOD AT WORK:
”God's Word is so rich and powerful. I love to study it and ask God to help me communicate its transformative truth to those around me. God's Word gives great hope to us who love God and are called according to His purpose. The truth of the gospel—and all the hope it gives—is all the reason to live as Romans 12 instructs us. May my life be a living sacrifice, pleasing to the one who gave His life for me.”
DIRECTORS & MINISTRY STAFF:
DIRECTORS
KELLY DEMAKIS, Communications Director
P: 815.459.1095 (x339) | E: kdemakis@efccl.org
RYAN KLOS, Tech Director
P: 815.459.1095 (x326) | E: rklos@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
HEATHER SOUKUP, Children's Disciple-making Director
P: 815.459.1095 (x336) | E: hsoukup@efccl.org
STEVE STENZEL, Global Outreach Coordinator
P: 815.459.1095 | E: sstenzel@efccl.org
PEGGY STRASSER, Director of Ministry to Women
P: 815.459.1095 (x323) | E: pstrasser@efccl.org
MINISTRY STAFF
KATHY BARNES, Early Childhood Coordinator
P: 815.459.1095 (x346) | E: kbarnes@efccl.org
JACKIE HAYDEN, Discipleship and Care Ministries Assistant/Data Specialist
P: 815.459.1095 (x337) | E: jhayden@efccl.org
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
EMILY PETERSON, Bookkeeper
P: 815.459.1095 (x312) | E: epeterson@efccl.org
BUILDINGS & GROUNDS CREW / FACILITIES
JOTHAM BECKER, Facilities
COLTON BROCK, Buildings & Grounds
GENESIS BULLOCK, Facilities
GRETCHEN BULLOCK, Facilities
CAMERON DAMAN, Buildings & Grounds
JIM MCMAHON, Buildings & Grounds
ADAM RAUENBUEHLER, Buildings & Grounds