Our Leaders

Brad grew up in Glen Ellyn, IL. He received a B.A. in Biblical Literature from Taylor University, a M.Div. from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, and is currently working on a D.Min. at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Brad has been on staff at The Orchard since 2011 and now serves as the Pastor at The Orchard - Arlington Heights. Brad is married to Kristen and they have two children, Joanna and John.

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 English is our new Director of Women’s Ministries for the Arlington Heights congregation. She was born and raised in Arlington Heights and Palatine. God gave her the gift of saving faith at an early age, and she was baptized by her grandfather. Heather attended Calvin College, where she met her husband, Jason. They were married in 2001 and have three kids: Christopher, Carson, and Emilie. Previously, Heather taught high school English while completing a Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction. She stayed home for 13 years with her kids and remains busy volunteering in her kids’ schools and activities. She has felt a call to women’s ministry since age 16 and look forward to seeing the Lord’s faithfulness in building His church.

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.

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.

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.

Greg was born and raised in Hamilton, New Jersey. He received his M.Div from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, where he met his wife, Megan. He served as a Discipleship Pastor while church planting in Pittsburgh, PA, prior to coming to The Orchard in 2021. Greg is passionate about seeing people grow closer to God and one another, especially through LIFE Groups. In his free time, he enjoys playing violin, woodworking, gardening, playing ice hockey, and wrestling his two boys, Graeson and Theodor. 

Michael was born in raised in the suburbs of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He became a follower of Christ in 2010, and soon after joined the youth worship band at his church. Serving on this team led Michael to feel a call to vocational worship ministry. He attended Liberty University and graduated with a Music and Worship degree in 2019. Michael is passionate about singing God’s truth with God’s people, and is excited to grow personally and spiritually as he joins The Orchard.

Emily was raised in the South, spending time between Arkansas, Alabama, and the Carolinas, before following the Lord’s lead to come to the snowy Midwest to invest in further education and ministry. Emily graduated from Wheaton College with a degree in Biblical and Theological Studies and is committed to facilitating the work of Gospel ministry in the local church by tending to the details behind the scenes.

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.

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.

Meritt grew up in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania where he put his faith in Christ at a young age. He spent four years in Virginia while he attended Liberty University and studied Project Management (’18). As a Pastoral Intern at The Orchard, he is pursuing a Master of Divinity from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. He is passionate about biblical teaching and enjoys hiking, sports, and a good book.

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 grew up in Wisconsin and went on to study Organizational Communications at Cedarville University with minors in both Marketing and Biblical Studies. She enjoys an organized space, anything chocolate, and exploring coffee shops with her husband, Christopher.

Ilir was born and raised in Albania and was led him to faith in Christ as a teenager. He met his wife Megan while living in Kentucky and they now have two young children. Recently their family returned from two years of church-planting in the Balkans. God has grown Ilir’s commitment and desire to see the Gospel take root among the Albanian-speaking people.

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.

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.

Luke grew up in Mattoon, Illinois, where his father worked at a paper company as a maintenance supervisor, and his mother worked at their church as a counselor. In 2018, after graduating from Eastern Illinois University with a bachelor’s in accounting, Luke enrolled at Trinity Evangelical Divinity school with an intention to go into pastoral ministry. He is passionate about gospel-centered teaching and discipleship. His goal is to lead and disciple people to be rooted in the gospel and equipped for ministry in their families, communities, and beyond.

Amy grew up in Palatine and at The Orchard. She studied Elementary Education at Wheaton College. After meeting her husband, Karl, at The Orchard, they married in 2002. They have two daughters, Kaeleigh and Madison.