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.
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Tyler is from a small town outside of West Lafayette, Indiana. He studied Chemistry at Indiana State University before joining the staff of InterVarsity Christian Fellowship after graduation. With InterVarsity, Tyler helped reach fraternity and sorority students with the gospel at ISU. After two years, he left InterVarsity to attend Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, pursuing a Masters of Divinity. The Orchard became his church home shortly after moving to the area. After graduation, Tyler would like to pursue church planting in an underserved city. In his free time, which is very limited as a seminarian, he likes read and to explore the area with friends.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Juliet grew up in the Chicagoland area and graduated from Trinity International University with a degree in Children’s Ministries. As a result of attending youth group, being in discipleship, and traveling on various mission trips, she decided to give her life to the Lord in 2001. Prior to joining the staff at The Orchard, Juliet was a pre-school teacher at a church day care center where she met her husband Colin. They have been married since 2009 and have two children, Shane and Selah. Along with her passion for children’s ministry, she also enjoys coordinating weddings and finding unique restaurants with Colin.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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More info coming soon.
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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.
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Trevor was born and raised in the northwest suburbs of Chicago. He graduated from Taylor University (’15) with a degree in Biblical Literature and a desire to serve in the local church. Trevor then completed a Master of Arts in Theological Studies and Master of Arts in Educational Ministries from Trinity International University (’18). He enjoys developing relationships with students to guide them through formative years of life and creating, implementing and evaluating curriculum. Trevor met his wife, Rachel, while they attended Taylor University and they are looking forward to raising their family at The Orchard. 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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Aogu was born and raised in Nagano, Japan, and he made the decision to follow Jesus Christ when he was 12. He went to Word of Life Bible Institute in NY to study the Bible, and he received a BA in Christian Education from Cedarville University. Aogu currently attends TEDS, and he is passionate about worship, discipleship and teaching. His vision is to equip people to do what God has called them to do, and send them to the uttermost parts of the world to share the Good News of Jesus Christ.
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David Tank has been worshiping at the Arlington Heights Campus with his wife, Sarah, since the fall of 2015. After studying Bible and Theology at Sterling College in Kansas ('14), he received his M.Div. from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School ('18). He is also a new graduate of the MOMENTUM training offered by The Orchard Network. David has a call to pastoral ministry and desires to equip the church to grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the glory of God.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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