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
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Matt Zaubi
Campus Pastor - Arlington Heights
Matt grew up near Cleveland, OH. While serving in the Air Force in Germany, he became a follower of Jesus Christ. After returning to the states, he met his wife, Lauren, while attending The Chapel in Akron, OH. They married in 1984. Matt graduated from Moody Bible Institute with a degree in Pastoral Ministries and served as the youth pastor at Trinity EFC in South Bend before becoming Senior Pastor of Living Hope Fellowship in Itasca, IL in 1996. Matt and Lauren have a son Aaron, and twin daughters, Megan and Sarah. He joined the staff of The Orchard in June 2010.
» Email Matt Zaubi -
Bob Warren
Campus Pastor
Bob Warren was born and raised in Kansas. Trained at Friends University and Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, Bob has been a Youth for Christ director, a teacher at Bethel College and has held various pastoral positions at churches throughout the Midwest and Southwest. He and his wife, Nancy, joined The Orchard in 1986. Bob is the Campus Pastor for the gym services. Bob and Nancy have two married adult children, Noel and Rob, and have five grandchildren.
» Email Bob Warren -
Bing Nieh
Pastor of Middle School
Bing grew up in the heart of the Silicon Valley in California. He attended the University of California at Santa Barbara where he received a degree in electrical engineering. After working in the engineering field for a few years, he relocated and joined the pastoral team at a church just outside Cleveland, Ohio. Bing now serves as our Pastor to Middle School, while concurrently a student at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. In his free time you may find him at a local coffee shop reading, in his room strumming away at his guitar, or in a gym playing basketball. He and his wife, Christy, were married at The Orchard in February 2009.
» Email Bing Nieh -
Ted Olsen
Pastor to Seniors
After being trained at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, Ted served three churches as senior pastor, then joined the faculty of TEDS as a professor of Practical Theology. In September 2001, he joined The Orchard staff as Pastor to Adults, dedicating most of his time to pastoral care, as well as general oversight of ministries to seniors. He now focuses specifically on ministry to seniors. Ted’s wife is Darlene. He has four married children and 15 grandchildren.
» Email Ted Olsen -
Tom Olson
High School Pastor
Tom grew up in Kalamazoo, Michigan. He attended Wheaton College, where he met his wife, Kari. Tom and Kari were married in 2004, and they have two daughters, Kettie and Tovie, and a son, Thomas. Tom served as our contemporary worship pastor while completing his master's of Divinity degree at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in 2007. He became the High School Pastor in 2008.
» Email Tom Olson -
Dan Wells
Worship Pastor
Worship Pastor Dan Wells became a Christian in 1992 and poured his life into the Church. In the spring of 2000, he began full-time ministry at the Evangelical Free Church in Orange, CA, where he served until God called him here to The Orchard in September 2007. Trained in music at UCLA, Dan holds BA and MA degrees in composition and piano performance. He has been married since 1995 to his wife, Midge, and has three wonderful children, Lea, Donny, and Debbie.
» Email Dan Wells -
Linda Green
Director of Women's Ministries
Linda Green has attended The Orchard since 1985. She and her husband, Ray, have three adult children, along with a wonderful daughter-in-law and son-in-law and four precious grandchildren. After receiving her degree in education, Linda taught for six years before staying home to give full attention to raising her children. In 1997, she began serving in Children’s Ministries with Linda Hrivnak. She then went on to become the Pastor to Families where she served for two years before transitioning to Director of Women's Ministries.
» Email Linda Green -
Eri Heck
Administrative Assistant - Children and Missions
Eri was born and raised in Japan. At age 14, not knowing much English, she came to United States to attend a Christian boarding school in Oklahoma. There she accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior. She met her husband, Greg, at college in Kansas. In 1984, they moved to Chicago and, being bilingual, she found great opportunities working for Japanese companies. Greg and Eri moved to Arlington Heights with their children, Myles and Jessica, and started attending The Orchard in 1994. Eri joined the staff in 2006 and now supports Missions and Children’s Ministries. Her favorite verse is 2 Corinthians 9:8.
» Email Eri Heck -
Carla Himpelmann
Receptionist & Facility Scheduling
Carla and her husband, Pete, have attended The Orchard since 1999. She has been serving as the receptionist and facility scheduler at the Arlington Heights Campus since October 2007. Prior to that time, she homeschooled her three children who are now young adults. Carla enjoys participating in LIFE Connections on Sunday mornings.
» Email Carla Himpelmann -
Linda Hrivnak
Director of Children's Ministries
Linda and her husband, Gary, have attended The Orchard since 1976. She has two adult daughters, Leslie, the oldest, and Jenni, who is in full-time ministry. She also has two grandsons. Linda left her teaching career 10 years ago to become first the Children's Pastor and then the Director of Children's Ministries at The Orchard.
» Email Linda Hrivnak -
Michelle Miramonti
Administrative Assistant - Congregational Life
Michelle grew up in Long Grove. She attended Olivet Nazarene University where she received her bachelors degree in Business Administration with a concentration in management and played volleyball for the ONU Tigers. She joined the staff in December 2008 as the Administrative Assistant to Congregational Life, supporting Dan Wells, Bob Warren, Ted Olsen, Matt Zaubi, and Linda Green. She also coaches volleyball for Rolling Thunder Volleyball Club and has her own jewelry business.
» Email Michelle Miramonti -
Frank Pollina
Facility Manager
Frank, his wife, Diane, and their three kids, Anthony, Kaitlin, and Kyle, have been living in Arlington Heights and attending The Orchard for 17 years. They have served in Sunday school, Awana, and Middle School ministries. Frank studied architecture at IIT in Chicago before he owned and operated a North Shore landscaping company for more than 20 years. He joined The Orchard staff in January 2006.
» Email Frank Pollina -
Liz Sutherland
Children's Ministry Assistant
After graduating from Trinity College with a degree in Human Resources, Liz began attending The Orchard in 1985. She met her husband, Steve, through the Singles Ministry and they were married here in 1989. They have two children in high school, Andrew and Hannah. Liz was blessed to join The Orchard staff part-time in 2002 and now focuses on Children's Ministry recruitment.
» Email Liz Sutherland
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