Mike Woodruff, Senior Pastor

Adriana Willey, Receptionist

Catherine Pierri, Pre-3's Director

Chris Prager, Facilities Director

Christina Jones, Assistant to Global Ministries

David Weil, Family Ministries Pastor

Esther Manes, Administrative Assistant

Jeanette Finlay, Administrative Assistant

Jeanne Ley, Director of Care and Concern

Jill Carter, Executive Director

Jim Braniff, Director of Community Life

Jo Lyons, Director of Global Ministries

Joellen Maurer, Director of Spiritual Growth

Kat Metzger, Creative Arts Director

Lauren Whitfield, Administrative Assistant

Lee Ann Sydlund, Tech Lead

Lorrie Chomko, Early Childhood Director

Maria Fricano, Office Manager

Mary Funk, Director of Small Groups

Mathias John (M.J.) Seiwert III, Director of Middle School Ministries

Richard Chagoya, Building and Grounds

Robin Geitner, Programming and Communications Director of Lighthouse

Sandy Sieber, Executive Director of Lighthouse

Stefan Dobre, Building and Grounds

Syler Thomas, Student Ministries Pastor

Tom Lenane, Director of Route 6:6

Victoria Oakley, Manager of Community Life

Wayne Stewart, Worship and Arts Pastor

Mike Woodruff has been on staff at Christ Church since the fall of 1999 and became the Senior Pastor in January, 2003. He has been a college pastor (1985 - 1992) and a management consultant (1992 - 1999), the founder of The Ivy Jungle Network (a national network of college ministers) and the President of The Christian International Scholarship Foundation (a foundation that helps Emerging World Christian leaders complete advanced theological education). He has written over 200 published articles, edited three books and written one book. Mike earned a Master's Degree in Divinity from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. He and his wife Sheri have three boys: Austin, Benjamin and Jason. You can reach Mike at:

Mike Woodruff
Senior Pastor
847-234-1001 x111
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Adriana Willey joined the staff in February 2008 as a receptionist. While Adriana has spent most of her life in the United States, she is originally from Colombia, South America and is a “Colombiana” at heart. Her greatest passion, besides the Lord, is people. This allows for her position at Christ Church to be a perfect fit! Adriana is studying to be a licensed counselor at Trinity (TEDS). Apart from studying and working, Adriana enjoys being married to her husband, Ben, and supporting him in his role as a youth pastor.

You can reach Adriana at:

Adriana Willey
847-234-1001 x149
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Catherine oversees a group of more than 80 volunteers who care for infants and toddlers up to three years old during our Sunday services. Her primary mission is to run a high quality, safe and nurturing child care program that allows parents to attend the worship service knowing their children are in good hands.

A member of Christ Church since 1999, she’s married to Vince and has six children. The Pierris live in Mundelein. You can reach Catherine at:

Catherine Pierri
847-234-1001 x133
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Chris has been attending CCLF since 1995. He was a volunteer with SHYG for many years and has also lead over 20 missions trips to Mexico for both youth and families of Christ Church. Chris currently serves the city of Highland Park as a firefighter/paramedic. He has been in the fire service for 20 years. In the past few years he has also been building homes in Lake Forest, but is taking a break from construction to serve Christ Church as the Facilities Director. CCLF has been a giving and supportive family to Chris over the years and has served him in so many ways. He is honored to have the opportunity to give back. Chris and his wife of 6 years, Stephanie, have one daughter, Katherine and another one on the way.

You can reach Chris at:

Christ Prager
Facilities Director
847-234-1001 x199
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Christina Jones recently joined the staff as the Assistant to Global Ministries. During high school she attended Christ Church and was involved in SHYG, where she met her husband, Bob Jones. They were married at CCLF in 2005 and have returned to SHYG as volunteers with the seniors in high school. She was a student at Miami University in Ohio where she studied the History of Art and Architecture and is currently getting her masters at Trinity International University. You can reach Christina at:

Christina Jones
Assistant to Global Ministries
847-234-1001 x183
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David joined the staff at Christ Church in January 2004 as the Children’s Ministry pastor and is now serving as the Family Ministry pastor. Before coming to Christ Church David spent nine years on staff at Willow Creek Community Church where he served as a director over small group life for K-5th grade and directed the launch of the first Regional Promiseland in Wheaton, while assisting in the launch of two more Promiseland Regional sites in Northfield and McHenry County, Illinois. David received Biblical training at the California Center of Biblical Studies in Culver City, CA and a Master of Divinity from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield. He and his wife, Susan, have two children, Audrey and Jeremy. You can reach David at:

David Weil
Family Ministries Pastor
847-234-1001 x121
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Esther joined the Christ Church staff in October 2007 as an administrative assistant and morning receptionist. She graduated from Trinity International University in May 2007 with a Bachelors degree in Biology Pre-med and a Masters in Bioethics. Esther serves in ministry as a children’s Sunday school teacher. She also teaches bioethics classes in a church setting. Esther currently lives in Vernon Hills with her husband, Aaron. You can reach Esther at:

Esther Manes
Administrative Assistant
847-234-1001 x170
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Jeanne recently joined our staff as Director of Care and Concern. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, receiving her Masters in Social Work from Loyola University in 1998. She has been doing Christian counseling for the past 10 years, five of those years directing Fellowship Housing, a holistic program that restores and rebuilds the lives of single moms and their children. She is married to Frank (30 years this August) and has two adult children, Kristin and John. Her heart is to bring God’s healing work and grace to hurting people in the context of caring Christian community.
You can reach Jeanne at:

Jeanne Ley
Director of Care and Concern
847-234-1001 x155
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Jeanette Finlay joined the staff in March 2008 as an administrative assistant. Jeanette has taught Mathematics most of her professional life and is pleased to use her organizational skills to support the Children and Youth ministries and Worship ministry. Besides her teaching degree, she has a B.A. from Florida Bible College. She and her husband Tim live in Palatine and have two grown sons, Andrew, who is in college and Wesley, who is in the Marines.
You can reach Jeanette at:

Jeanette Finlay
Administrative Assistant
847-234-1001 x155
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Jill Carter recently joined the church staff as Executive Director. She is an attorney with over 20 years of corporate affairs management experience in public and private companies. Jill has served on numerous charitable foundation and college boards, most recently focusing her efforts on the Total Living Network board of directors. She earned a Juris Doctor degree from Loyola School of Law. Jill and her family live in Lake Forest, Illinois.
You can reach Jill at:

Jill Carter
Executive Director
847-234-1001 x176
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Jim Braniff joined the staff team in July 2004 as the Director of Small Groups and Connection and is now serving as Director of Community Life. Before coming to Christ Church, Jim spent 5 years on staff with Willow Creek Community Church. Prior to dedicating himself to ministry work, Jim’s marketplace career encompassed over 20 years of sales and marketing experience. Jim’s wife, Chris, is a graphic designer who uses her gifts in ministry work. The Braniff’s have two children, Brianna and Jimmy. You can reach Jim at:

Jim Braniff
Director of Community Life
847-234-1001 x148
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Jo Lyons joined the staff at Christ Church as the Director of Global Ministries in the fall of 2002. Prior to coming on staff, she was a volunteer leader for the senior high youth group (SHYG), she shepherded 2nd grade boys and taught Sunday school at Christ Church. Jo has participated in or led several short-term mission trips to Mexico, India, Africa and Romania. She received her Master's degree at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in 2004. Jo and her husband, David, have three children: Patrick, Julia and Maggie, and reside in the Lake Forest area. You can reach Jo at:

Jo Lyons
Director of Global Ministries
847-234-1001 x147
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Joellen Maurer joined the church staff in June of 2004. She served as Director of Women's Ministries until recently when she took the position of Director of Spiritual Growth for the congregation. Her desire is to help those on their spiritual journey so they can be transformed into the image of Christ for the sake of others. Joellen is currently working on a master's degree at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. Her time away from work is spent with her husband, Paul (who works at Trinity) and their four children: Jon, Elizabeth, Daniel and Sarah. You can reach Joellen at:

Joellen Maurer
Director of Spiritual Growth
847-234-1001 x158
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Kat has joined Christ Church staff as Creative Arts Director. Kat has studied acting, play-writing, and vocal performance at Webster Fine Arts Conservatory in St. Louis, Boarshead Theatre in Michigan, and Oberlin College in Ohio. She holds a BA in Communication and Organizational Leadership from Trinity International University, and has worked as a professional actress, vocalist with Incubator Records and director/acting teacher for the Imaginary Children’s Theatre Company. You can reach Kat at:

Kat Metzger
Creative Arts Director
847-234-1001 x162
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Lauren Whitfield joined the Christ Church staff in August of 2007 as an Administrative Assistant. She recently graduated from Trinity International University with a Bachelors Degree in Business and an emphasis in Marketing. During her time at Trinity she actively served in ministry as a volunteer. Lauren is originally from Park Ridge, IL and is now living in Bannockburn, IL with her husband Zac. You may reach Lauren at:

Lauren Whitfield
Administrative Assistant
847-234-1001 x174
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Lee Ann Sydlund started attending Christ Church in January 2004 through the invitation of a friend to attend and take the Alpha course. She came to know Christ shortly after. While still working at her former job as a tile installer, she was hired in January of 2006 as Tech Lead. She has since quit the construction world and is enjoying working in the wonderful world of technology, although there is a hammer in her file cabinet that is sometimes used to threaten recalcitrant pieces of equipment. One of her goals as Tech Lead is to help lead people into connecting with God during services and other events by using media and technology in a non-distracting but meaningful way.

Lee Ann resides in Bristol, WI with her father Sven, three dogs (Trapper, Stanley, and Cujo), and two cats (Lucky and Brooks). She grew up riding and training horses and hopes to one day own another equine friend. Reading and enjoying nature- particularly if it involves mountains- are things she enjoys doing when not immersed in Photoshop. You may reach Lee Ann at:

Lee Ann Sydlund
Tech Lead
847-234-1001 x180
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Lorrie Chomko and her family have been serving at Christ Church since 1998. Lorrie has taught Montessori since 1994. Lorrie joined Christ Church staff in the summer of 2006. Lorrie has 1 son Carl who attends Trinity College and has been married to her husband Jim for 25+ years. The Chomko’s live in Vernon Hills with a variety of animals. Lorrie’s hobbies are floating in the summer and reading the rest of the year. Favorite Bible passage: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NLT) Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. You can reach Lorrie at:

Lorrie Chomko
Early Childhood Director
847.234.1001 x157
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Maria Fricano joined the church staff as the office manager in December, 2006. Prior to coming on as staff, she served as a Lighthouse volunteer for 4 consecutive summers. She has been an active member of Christ Church since 2004. She has been a full-time licensed real estate agent for 12 years. She enjoys preparing meals with her husband Tony, reading, and Pilates. Maria and Tony have four children, Jeffrey, Ashley, Christopher and Carter. You can reach Maria at:

Maria Fricano
Office Manager
847.234.1001
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Mary recently joined the staff as Director of Small Groups. An active volunteer since first coming to Christ Church in 2000, Mary recently closed her 18-year design and construction business to turn to full-time ministry. It is Mary’s desire to see lives transformed by the word of God, and she feels small groups are the best place for this to happen. Mary and her husband Tim have 4 teenagers and live in Lake Forest. You can reach Mary at:

Mary Funk
Director of Small Groups
847.234.1001 x159
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Mathias joined the staff in August of 2005 as Director of Middle School Ministries. He has been married to his best friend Sarah since June of 2001 and they have four phenomenal children: Sabrina (age 6), Jasmine (age 4), Autumn (age 1), and Elijah (due in January 2009!). Mathias earned a B.A. in Theology from Loyola University Chicago in 2002 and is currently working towards a Master of Divinity degree at the Moody Bible Institute with a focus on spiritual formation. Mathias’ heart burns to strengthen marriages, to love and encourage adolescents and teenagers, and to help males and females become the men and women the LORD created them to be—

“oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor”
(Isaiah 61:3b NIV).

Mathias enjoys reading, statistics of all varieties, and almost anything athletically competitive, especially golf, tennis, basketball, softball, and running. You can reach Mathias at:

Mathias John (M.J.) Seiwert III
Director of Middle School Ministries
847.234.1001 x181
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Richard Chagoya has been on staff at Christ Church since September 1992. Richard feels the mission of this team is to is to partner together in accomplishing the plans and purposes of Christ Church. Richard and his wife Michelle have been married for 20 years and have 3 children: Richard, Jr., Rochelle and Romel. You can reach Richard at:

Richard Chagoya
Building and Grounds
847-234-1001 x151
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Robin has been involved in Children’s Ministry at Christ Church since 1981, as a volunteer and then a staff person. Her current position with Lighthouse involves all aspects of creative communication – graphic arts, set design and décor. Robin has a Master's degree in Educational Media and has taught age levels from preschool through undergraduates. Robin and her husband Neal have four children, two out of college and twins in college. You can reach Robin at:

Robin Geitner
Programming and Communications Director of Lighthouse
847-234-1001 x132
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Sandy Sieber has been on staff at Christ Church with Lighthouse Children's Ministries since the summer of 1999. Before coming to the Chicago area she was a Children's Director in Michigan. Sandy has a Master in Education and several years of experience as a classroom teacher in public schools. Sandy's passion is to equip volunteers to share Christ with children--infants through 4th grade. She and her husband Jim have three grown sons. You can contact Sandy at:

Sandy Sieber
Executive Director of Lighthouse
847-234-1001 x131
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Stefan Dobre is part of the Building and Grounds Team, and oversees Grounds Operations. He has been on staff since 2000. Stefan was born and raised in Bucharest, Romania and he currently resides in Beach Park, Illinois along with his son David. You can contact Stefan at:

Stefan Dobre
Building and Grounds
847-234-1001 x154
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Syler Thomas has been High School Pastor at Christ Church since June of 1998. A native Texan, he has a B.F.A. from DePaul University in Chicago and a Master of Divinity from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield, Illinois. He and his wife Heidi have four children Kaila ('98), Ellie ('00), Foster ('02) and Grace ('04). Syler enjoys music, basketball, and (sadly) the Cubs. You can read Syler's blog at: http://syberspace.typepad.com/. You can reach Syler at:

Syler Thomas
Student Ministries Pastor
847-234-1001 x182
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Tom Lenane has been volunteering as the director of the Route 6:6 Family Production for the last year and recently joined the Christ Church staff in that capacity. Tom has been involved in theater for the last 50 years. He appeared in his first play at the age of four and grew up as a child actor. After attending Northwestern University for his undergraduate and graduate work, Tom launched into college teaching and directing. He has been at Harry S Truman College in Chicago for the last 28 years and has directed a variety of professional theater in Chicago. Tom was brought to Christ Church by his wife Kris. Combined they have four adult children: Ezekiel, Nathaniel, Katie and Annie. You can reach Tom at:

Tom Lenane
Director of Route 6:6
847-234-1001 x175
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Victoria Oakley joined the Christ Church staff in August 2006. She graduated from Trinity International University with a Master in Educational Ministry and a Master of Divinity. Vicky's passion is educating and equipping all age groups for church ministry. Her husband Jim is a youth pastor at a nearby church. Her hobbies include solving all types of puzzles, making greeting cards, and cross-stitching. You can reach Victoria at:

Victoria Oakley
Manager of Community Life
847-234-1001 x161
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Wayne Stewart joined the Christ Church staff as Pastor of Worship and Arts in January of 2004, after having served in a similar role for 12 years at a church in the Seattle area. He has actively been involved in leading worship, training worship leaders and producing worship-related resources such as the GAP training for Worship Leaders over the last decade. Wayne studied music at Western Washington University where he received his undergraduate degree in Social Psychology. He is a published songwriter, having compositions released by Saddleback Community Church in Lake Forest, California and receiving recognition as a People’s Song of the Month selection at heartofworship.com. He and his wife, Breta, have 3 children: Lauren, Jacob and Emily, as well as a very large black lab named Maggie. You can reach Wayne at:

Wayne Stewart
Worship and Arts Pastor
847-234-1001 x122
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