Staff at The Orchard
Click on the heading below to read about and contact the staff.
Central Staff
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Colin Smith
Senior Pastor
Pastor Colin Smith was born and raised in Edinburgh, Scotland. He trained at London School of Theology, where he met his wife, Karen. He served as pastor of Enfield Evangelical Free Church in London for 16 years before coming to The Orchard in 1996. Serving as pastor here for the past 15 years, he has brought a strong emphasis on God's Word, has helped the church develop a vision for the future and has encouraged and taught young preachers. Colin and Karen have two sons, Andrew and David.
» Email Colin Smith -
Scott Lothery
Executive Pastor
Pastor Scott was born and raised in Mt. Prospect, Illinois. Before coming to The Orchard in 2007, he served as a church planter for the EFCA in Valparaiso, Indiana, and Bolingbrook, Illinois, and as a Sports Ministry Director for Athletes In Action in Tampa, Florida. Scott has helped the church to move to a multi-site model for ministry and has reinforced the strong commitment to the Gospel. He and his wife, Cindy, who grew up at The Orchard, have four children: Alyssa, John, Matthew, and Ben.
» Email Scott Lothery -
Bill Bradish
Executive Pastor
As Executive Pastor, Bill is working with Pastor Colin Smith and Scott Lothery to encourage and strengthen the effectiveness of the Campus Pastors. He also is directing the ministry of The Orchard as it trains and equips young interns. In this role, he works closely with TEDS in Deerfield. Bill and his wife, Judy, have attended The Orchard for over twenty years and are blessed with three married sons and five grandchildren.
» Email Bill Bradish -
Tom Hutchison
Pastor of Counseling & Recovery
Tom (Hutch) oversees the Celebrate Recovery ministry of the church, reaching out to those dealing with hurts, habits and hangups with the hope of Christ. He has been on staff at The Orchard since 2004, first as an intern completing his coursework for his master's of Divinity degree from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, as Pastor of Compassion Ministries, and most recently he was involved in helping to launch the Barrington Campus of The Orchard. As president of H-O-H Water Technology, Inc. in Palatine, Tom is an active member of the business community He and his wife, Beth, live in Arlington Heights. They are the proud parents of five children: Eric (wife Ashley), Drew (wife Ema), Lindsay (husband Andy), Jill and Reid, and three grandchildren, Anastasia, Bella and Ezekiel.
» Email Tom Hutchison -
Claire Bechard
Director of Congregational Life
Claire grew up in southeastern Michigan. She studied social work at both Central Michigan University and the University of Michigan before moving to the northwest suburbs in January 2006. Claire joined the staff in March 2008 to help develop and support the LIFE Group ministry. She helps newcomers and those who have been around for a while to get connected at The Orchard. Claire is also responsible for LIFE Connections, membership, baptism, child dedication, and weddings.
» Email Claire Bechard -
Laura Decker
Administrative Assistant - Student Ministries
Laura grew up in Des Plaines. She graduated from Illinois State University in August 2010 with a degree in Recreation Management. Immediately following graduation, she joined the staff of The Orchard. Laura serves as the Administrative Assistant for Student Ministries and enjoys working with middle school and high school students and their families.
» Email Laura Decker -
Laura Eder
Executive Assistant
Laura has attended The Orchard since 1989 where she and her husband, Dan, were married in September of 1990. They have three children, Caitlin, Maggie and Ryan. Laura and Dan have enjoyed serving in LIFE Connections on Sunday mornings and together lead a LIFE Group for couples. Laura came on staff in August 2007 and serves as the Executive Assistant to Executive Pastor Scott Lothery.
» Email Laura Eder -
Russell Flynt
Pastoral Intern - College Ministry
Russell was born in Mississippi, and grew up across the southeast living in Alabama and Georgia as well. He graduated from the University of Mississippi in 2002 with a degree in Business Administration, however he felt a call to ministry pulling him in a different direction. He began serving as a Campus Minister on staff with Campus Crusade for Christ at the University of Florida from 2002 to 2009. At Florida Russell was involved in shaping the structure and strategy of the campus ministry, while also having opportunities to preach and disciple students. This is also where he met his wife Molliann, whom he married in 2008. Russell and Molliann moved to the Chicagoland area in the summer of 2009 so he could pursue his Master of Divinity degree from Trinity. Russell gives direction to the college ministry and also serves as the Pastor of the Saturday Night Service.
» Email Russell Flynt -
Ruth Guillaume
Director of Communications
Ruth and her husband Stan have been members of The Orchard for more than 30 years. They raised their family here and have been involved in many areas of ministry. After a career in the investment world, Ruth joined the staff to facilitate the development of creative means for communicating our message and our mission to the congregation and to the immediate and far-reaching community.
» Email Ruth Guillaume -
Cindi Johnson
Accounting Assistant
Cindi grew up in Arlington Heights and has attended The Orchard since 1968. She attended Taylor University. She met her husband, Steve, through the Singles Ministry when James MacDonald was the pastor and they were married here in September 1989.They have two boys – Brad and Tim. Cindy has been working at The Orchard since October 2006.
» Email Cindi Johnson -
Russ McCune
Business Administrator
Russ grew up in Galesburg, Illinois, and attended Illinois State University where he received a Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts. Prior to joining the staff at The Orchard as Business Administrator, Russ worked in operations and account management in the healthcare industry. Russ and his wife, Julie, a special needs teacher in Arlington Heights School District, have three children and enjoy camping, drum corps and sporting events.
» Email Russ McCune -
Bjorn Olsen
Interim Missions Director
Bjorn was born and raised in Arlington Heights, IL. Bjorn and his wife, Trisha, grew up attending the Orchard Evangelical Free Church. They have three children: Lianna, Alyssa, and Josiah. Bjorn attended Bethel University and received his bachelors in Marketing. He is currently working towards his Masters in Spiritual Formation and Discipleship at Moody Theological Seminary. For the last six years, Bjorn and Trisha have been missionaries in Budapest, Hungary.
» Email Bjorn Olsen -
Kathy Ruda
Director of Placement
Kathy grew up on the far NW side of Chicago. She attended Wheaton College, and graduated from Loyola University with a BBA in Personnel Management. She and her husband, Mark, met in high school, were married in 1982, and have three children: Erik (wife Kathryn), Kevin, and Jennifer. They started attending The Orchard in 2002. Prior to joining the staff in 2007, Kathy worked in Human Resources Management. Kathy and Mark serve as Starbursts teachers, are Middle School LIFE Group hosts, and are in a couples' LIFE Group.
» Email Kathy Ruda -
Mariel Schmitt
Communications Coordinator
Mariel grew up in Palatine, Illinois and graduated with a BA in English from the University of Illinois in 2007. After interning with Campus Crusade for Christ in East Asia, she went back to school to pursue a Graphic Design Certificate from Harper College. She manages the website, creates print materials and organizes weekend service slides here at The Orchard. Mariel and her husband, Paul, began attending The Orchard in January 2011 and were married in August 2011.
» Email Mariel Schmitt -
Rob Soukup
Director of Media Services
Rob blends technology with ministry as our Director of Media Services. He brought a decade of experience as a Youth Pastor to his media ministry experience. He coordinates seventy volunteers over four venues. Rob holds a seminary degree from Columbia International University with a Youth Ministry undergraduate degree from Liberty University. He and his wife, Heather, are raising twin daughters, Alexis and Rachel.
» Email Rob Soukup -
Georgette Steiger
Student Ministries Assistant
Georgette has been attending The Orchard since 1996, serving with middle school students in a variety of roles. In 2007, Georgette joined the staff to oversee middle school ministry during the transition period between middle school pastors. She continues to assist with the planning and coordination of student ministries. Georgette graduated from Bethel College in Mishawaka, Indiana, majoring in Business Management, and worked 13 years for Allstate Insurance in Office Systems. She has been married to Joe for 30 years and has two children, Andrew and Ally.
» Email Georgette Steiger -
Shohei Suzuki
Director of Multi-Cultural Ministries
Shohei was born in Japan and came to Chicago in 2004 with his family. He came to know Christ when he was in Canada in 2000. Since then, he has been called to reach out to diverse people (Matthew 28:19-20). He graduated from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School with his Master of Divinity degree. He loves the Lord Jesus Christ and has a vision for all the diverse people being united in the name of Jesus worshiping Him together. Shohei and his wife, Nami, have two children, Paul and Rayna.
» Email Shohei Suzuki -
Rita Thompson
Accountant
Rita was raised in Central Florida where she met her husband, Brian. All three of their children, Emily, Ben and Sara, were born there. They moved to the northwest suburbs of Chicago in 1994 and began attending The Orchard in 1999. After serving as the interim accountant here, Rita closed her 12-year-old accounting business, knowing she was called to work at The Orchard. Rita and her family attend the Barrington Campus.
» Email Rita Thompson -
Renée Veenendaal
Office Manager
Renée Veenendaal has attended The Orchard since 1994. She is married to Jeff and has two sons, Jason and Brandon. Renée has been on staff since 1999, when she first started as the Screening Coordinator.In 2001, she moved into the position of Administrative Assistant to the Business Administrator. Six years later, she became Office Manager.
» Email Renée Veenendaal -
Sandy Williams
Executive Assistant
Sandy and her husband, Russ, met at Taylor University and have been attending The Orchard since shortly after their marriage in 1982. They have two daughters: Rachel, who graduated from Trinity International University, and Megan, who is a senior at Elmhurst College. After being a stay-at-home mom for many years, Sandy re-entered the workforce when her oldest went off to college. In 2004, she started working for Pastor Colin's radio ministry, Unlocking the Bible, and in 2006 became his Executive Assistant.
» Email Sandy Williams -
Mary Zoss
Database Administrator
Mary grew up in South Bend, Indiana. She graduated from Bethel College in Mishawaka, Indiana with a bachelors degree in Music Education. She has more than 25 years of IT experience in computer software, data analysis and reporting tools. Mary has been on staff part-time since April 2008 helping to support the church management software. Mary has one daughter, Lily, adopted in 2000.
» Email Mary Zoss
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Campus Staff