Our Leaders

Jonathan grew up on the mission field in Venezuela where his parents served as church planters with the EFCA. In 2009, after serving as a youth pastor for four years, Jonathan began an internship at The Orchard while working towards his Master of Divinity at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School (TEDS) and has served on staff ever since. During his time at TEDS, Jonathan recognized a growing need for a professional counseling solution for the church, at which time he enrolled in the dual master’s program to earn both his Master of Divinity and Master of the Arts in Mental Health Counseling. Jonathan has served as a worship pastor for the contemporary service at the Arlington Heights Campus since 2014. In 2018, along with several colleagues, he founded Steeple Counseling, in response to the deep and growing burden for gospel-centered counseling committed to clinical excellence. He and his wife, Karen, have three children.

Heather grew up in the far south suburb of Frankfort, Illinois. She and her husband, George, met at Lake Geneva Youth Camp the summer of 1978 during their high school years and were married in 1984. They raised three sons and were delighted when they became blessed with a daughter-in-law and later again with granddaughter, Madison. Heather is excited to be serving at The Orchard after 30 years of being a homemaker and serving in various volunteer roles in the church.

Eddy “Lalo” Chavez was born and raised in Mexico and moved to the U.S. 15 years ago. He’s spent most of that time in Chicago, with a short stint in Saint Louis, Missouri. His first job was at 5-years-old selling Jello outside of a Catholic church to help his family income. He started learning computer skills when he was 12-years-old. He burned down his first computer trying to upgrade the memory on it, but that’s how he learned. He has a labradoodle named Blakie.

Dennis was born and raised in eastern Iowa. He attended the University of Northern Iowa where he studied music education. He spent five years teaching instrumental music at a middle school in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Feeling a call to full-time student ministry, Dennis began seminary in 2006. He graduated from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in 2009 with a Master of Divinity and a desire to invest in the next generation with the gospel. Dennis brings more than 10 years of full-time student ministry experience to The Orchard. Prior to joining The Orchard’s staff, Dennis served as Pastor of Student Ministries at churches in Cedar Falls, Iowa; Lansing, Illinois and Orland Park, Illinois. Dennis and his wife, Kelli, were married in 2007 and have two children, Emilee and Joshua.

Heather was born and raised in Arlington Heights and Palatine. According to His mercy and grace, God gave her the gift of saving faith at an early age, and she was baptized by her grandfather. Heather graduated from Calvin College, where she met her husband, Jason. They were married in July 2001 and have three children: Christopher, Carson, and Emilie. Prior to joining The Orchard staff, Heather taught high school English for six years while also completing a Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction. She then stayed home for 13 years with her kids and remains busy volunteering in her kids’ schools and activities. Heather has loved serving in worship, women’s, and children’s ministries at The Orchard and is proud to call this community “home.”

Elizabeth grew up in Burlington, Iowa and attended Millikin University, where she studied piano and received a Bachelor in Communications. Elizabeth and her husband, Dale, have two sons and live in Arlington Heights. She and her family have been members of The Orchard since 1999. Elizabeth has enjoyed serving in various ministries and currently serves as Sparks Director and is on the Orchard Kids Welcome Team at the Barrington Campus.

Kyle Green recently completed a BS in Biblical Studies at Moody Bible Institute where he met his wife, Melina. They have a 2-year-old son, Avery. Kyle has a call to pastoral ministry and a special heart for the lost. He also has a deep resolve to contend with false teaching.

Linda Green has attended The Orchard since 1985. She and her husband, Ray, have three adult children and multiple 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. Linda’s passion is to help women walk in the power and freedom of the gospel of grace.

Eri was born and raised in Japan. At age 14, not knowing much English, she came to United States to attend a Christian school in Oklahoma. There she came to know Jesus her personal Savior and Lord. Eri's husband Greg, a photographer, and adult children, Myles and Jessica, have been attending The Orchard since 1994. Eri joined the staff in 2006, serving in various ministries, and now supports Congregational Life and Women’s Ministries. She enjoys leading an inter-generational LIFE group for women. One of her favorite verses is 2 Corinthians 9:8.

Dirk grew up in the Fargo, North Dakota area, where he was brought to faith in Christ. He studied political science and economics at Minnesota State University Moorhead, during which time he was involved in ministries to young adults, international students, and refugees. After completing his undergraduate studies, he moved to Illinois to pursue his Masters of Divinity at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. Having attended The Orchard since arriving in Illinois, he is excited to serve and equip the people of God for works of service as a pastoral intern, while being equipped himself for faithful service by The Orchard staff.

Alex grew up in a Christ-centered home in the northwest suburbs. Her parents taught her diligently about the Lord which is why she became a believer at a young age. Alex attended Olivet Nazarene University where she grew more deeply rooted in her walk with Jesus, and truly understood grace in the mundane moments of life. Alex has a passion for words, writing, reading and communicating, which is why she became an English teacher. She currently teaches at Wauconda High School. Because of Alex's deep growth with Jesus in college, she desired to serve college students by fellowshipping in the Word, prayer, and discipleship which is why is excited to be the Director of College Ministries. Alex is married to Johnny. They have one daughter, Piper, and a little one on the way.

Brandon was born and raised in Buffalo Grove, IL. By God's grace he heard the gospel often at home and at Our Saviour EFC in Wheeling, Illinois. Brandon graduated from Taylor University ('09) where he studied political science and history. More importantly in college he was challenged to take the Word of God and following the Lord Jesus seriously. He met his beautiful wife, Kaiti, at Taylor and they were married in August 2013. They have two daughters, Eva and Audrey, and one son, Patrick. Brandon and Kaiti were members of Our Saviour EFC for over three and a half years where Brandon served as assistant pastor prior to the call in 2015 to serve at The Orchard. He graduated from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School with a Master's of Divinity degree and is confident he can recommend a great book you have not read that will bless you.

Trevor was born and raised in the northwest suburbs of Chicago. He graduated from Taylor University (’15) and went on to complete two Master of Arts degrees from Trinity International University (’18). He enjoys teaching and developing relationships with students to help them through formative years of life. Trevor met his wife, Rachel, while they attended Taylor University, and they have been married since 2016. They have one son, Theo. Besides being Director of High School Ministries, Trevor also operates a business called Sliders North that does professional maintenance on sliding patio doors throughout the north suburbs.

Kurt grew up in the northwest suburbs of Chicago. He put his faith in Christ at the age of seven when presented with the gospel by the late Reverend Billy Graham. After being involved in church service and leadership through high school, Kurt studied at Wheaton College where he received his B.A. in Biblical and Theological Studies. While on staff as a pastoral intern, Kurt is currently studying for his Masters of Divinity at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School.

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.

Ryan grew up in Cleveland, Ohio. He received both a bachelor's and master's degree from Trinity in Deerfield. Over the past seven years, Ryan has served in music and youth ministry in local churches. He teaches Bible and English, as well as coaches soccer, at Christian Liberty Academy in Arlington Heights.

Valerie grew up in Michigan and traveled to Illinois to attend Judson College. She received her bachelors degree in Visual Communications, and shortly after, met her husband, Brent. They are raising two young boys and stay busy volunteering with school, sports, and church activities. Valerie is excited to see God working through the Café ministry.

Heather has attended The Orchard since 2003. She and her husband, Steve, have three children: Colin, Sean and Meghan. She became a Christian at the University of Kentucky in 1988. After receiving her Master’s degree in Learning Disabilities, Heather taught students with special needs for ten years and coached various activities before staying home to raise her children. During those years she volunteered in various ministries at The Orchard.

Grace was raised in Racine, WI in a family where she spent as much time at church as she did at home. She went on to study Organizational Communications at Cedarville University in Ohio with minors in both Marketing and Biblical Studies. Continually learning how to listen to the voice of God, she is excited to further pursue ministry and community at The Orchard. Grace enjoys an organized space, a good chocolate treat, and more importantly spending time with her family.