Senior Pastor (847) 362-8155, ext. 14 Steve Mathewson started in his position on May 7, 2006. Steve came to Libertyville from Belgrade, Montana, where he was the senior pastor of Dry Creek Bible Church. He received a Master of Arts Degree in Old Testament in 1986 from Western Conservative Baptist Seminary in Portland, Ore. Most recently, he received his Doctor of Ministry in 2000 from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in South Hamilton, Mass., where he studied preaching under Dr. Haddon Robinson. He and his wife, Priscilla, have four children.

Pastor of Adult Ministries and Missions (847) 362-8155, ext. 11 Rick Chalupnik began to transition to this position on June 1, 2008. Rick was raised in a Christian home in Long Grove and was a Stevenson High School graduate. He grew up attending Des Plaines Evangelical Free Church and then attended and served at Arlington Heights Evangelical Free Church. Rick was our Youth Pastor from June 1997-June 2008. Rick received his Bachelor of Arts in 1992 from Trinity International University and his Masters of Arts in Youth Ministry in June 1997 from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. Rick and his wife Sue reside in Libertyville. They have two children.

Pastor of Hispanic Ministries (847) 362-8155, ext. 21 Roberto Cambrany began his ministry with Iglesia Cristiana Unida in 1989. This congregation joined with LEFC in February 1996 to become Iglesia Evangelica Libre. Roberto was born on June 7, 1962 and grew up in Veracruz, Mexico. He graduated from the Rio Grande Bible Institute in Edinburgh, Tex. in 1989. Currently Roberto is working on his Masters of Divinity at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. Roberto and his wife, Irina, were married in 1989. Irina is also a graduate of the Rio Grande Bible Institute. Roberto and Irina live in Mundelein with their two children.

 

Junior High Director  (847) 362-8155, ext. 33 Ryan Johnson became the new junior high director at LEFC on October 1, 2006. He grew up in Minnesota and graduated in 2003 from John Marshall High School, where he played baseball, football, and was in the marching band. In June, 2007, he graduated from Trinity International University with a degree in Christian Ministry with an emphasis in Youth Ministry. He has been a volunteer with LEFC's Gateway youth ministry since 2003 and in summer 2005, he was a youth intern at Bethel Baptist Church in Janesville.

Minister of Music and Worship Arts (847) 362-8155, ext. 15 Allan Koetz began his ministry at LEFC in April 2001. Allan earned a Diploma of Sacred Music/Piano Performance from Moody Bible Institute in 1978. He went on to complete a Bachelor of Music/Piano Performance in 1980 and a Master of Music/Theory in 1985 from the American Conservatory of Music in Chicago. He has continued both his musical and theological education with classes from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, Northwestern University School of Music and Concordia University. Allan served four years at Immanuel Baptist Church in Waukegan and 16 years at South Park Church in Park Ridge. Allan and his wife, Marie, are from this area, having both grown up in Zion. Their family resides in Gurnee and they have two children.

Director of Children's Ministries (847) 362-8155, ext. 17 Kristin Swanson assumed her role as Director of Children's Ministries on June 1, 1997. Previously, she was a part-time youth leader here while pursuing her Masters of Religious Education Degree. Kristin graduated from Trinity International University in 1994 with a Bachelors Degree in History and Secondary Education and she received her Masters Degree in June 1997 from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. Before coming to LEFC, Kristin was a student teacher at Niles North High School, worked with students at Twin Groves Junior High in Buffalo Grove and was a tutor with the C.Y.C.L.E. program at Cabrini Green. Kristin resides in Libertyville with her husband, Todd, and two children.

   

Director of Early Childhood Ministries (847) 362-8155, ext. 13 Irene Kalantzis assumed her role as Director of Early Childhood Ministries on February 6, 2008. She was born and raised in Athens, Greece, and she studied fine arts at the Aristotle University in Thessaloniki. Irene has worked as a volunteer with children's ministries and MOPS since she came to LEFC in 1999. She has assisted the Director of Children's Ministries with Art Camps and Vacation Bible School. Irene is the wedding liaison for LEFC, a member of the praise team, and serves in the arts and decorating committee. She works part time as a freelance interior designing consultant, muralist and faux wall painter. She lives in Mundelein with her husband, George, and three children.