Senior Pastor

Joined the eFree Staff: 1996

Ministry Responsibilities:

As Senior Pastor, Gary serves as the spiritual leader in preaching, teaching and shepherding.  He casts the vision and leads the church in developing its mission and purpose.

Education:

• B.S. in Biology from Wheaton College, Wheaton, IL
• Masters of Divinity from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, Deerfield, IL
• Doctoral Degree from Trinity  International University, Deerfield, IL
• Ordained with the Evangelical Free Churches of America in 1990

Hometown:  Grosse Point, MI

About Pastor Gary:

Pastor Gary started his education in the field of medicine hoping to become a surgeon until he felt God's call to ministry.   Pastor Gary is married to Pam and they have three children.  He enjoys all sports and  says, "It's hard not to like one."  He is especially known at the eFree Church for his baseball illustrations. 

Pastor Gary's passion is the exposition of God's word, something that is clearly evident from his preaching.  He enjoys studying history to see how it affects the present and how it will impact the future.

Pastor of Worship Arts

Joined eFree Staff: 2010

Ministry Responsibilities:

Pastor James provides pastoral leadership to worship arts leaders, participants and the congregation. He recruits, develops and trains volunteers in the creative arts ministry, oversees planning for all adult worship services and special creative programs, and fulfills other pastoral duties like teaching, preaching and communion.

Education:

• Linn-Mar High School, Marion, IA
• B.M. in Music Composition from Wheaton College's Conservatory of Music
• Masters of Divinity from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School

Hometown: Wheaton, IL

About Pastor James:

Pastor James was studying and practicing to be either a film composer or a leader of a Christian rock band before he felt called to bring his muscial training the the Church.  He served in several church plants with the EFCA before coming to Sheboygan.  His vision is that the Church is to bring "life to the full" (Jon 10:10b) to the world, both through the communication of the Gospel and through living out God's love and charity.  He loves to celebrate "creativity of and for the Creator," and is always looking for creative ways in the arts to glorify God.

Pastor James is married to his college sweetheart, Christina.  They have been blessed with two beautiful girls.  James also likes video games, sports talk (he's from Chicago), outdoor adventures, traveling and having cross-cultural and musical/artistic experiences (everything from studying musical heritage in Romania to attending a fish boil in Door County).  He's also an experienced barista, having once served with Starbucks for three years.

Pastor of Family Life & Student Ministries

Joined eFree Staff: 1997

Ministry Responsibilities: Pastor Jon works with Jr. and Sr. High School student ministries and oversees college and young singles ministry (Crossroads ABF).  He is also responsible for Family Ministries and family discipleship including the monthly Family Night Sunday evening programs.  Pastor Jon's involvement in the eFree Prayer Ministry includes his coordination of the monthly face-to-Face evening services.

Education:

• Sheboygan South High School
• B.A. in Bible from Pensacola Christian College, Pensacola, FL
• Master of Arts in Religion from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School
• Ordained with the Evangelical Free Churches of America in 2002

Hometown:  Sheboygan, WI

About Jon:

Pastor Jon is married to his high school sweetheart, and they have three boys.  They lived and worked in youth ministry in Columbus, Ohio for five years where Pastor Jon remained a Badgers fan in spite of his location.  He was at first reluctant but now is an avid Starbucks fan.  He also enjoys running and reading--but not at the same time.

Pastor Jon is passionate about discipleship and teaching the Truth of God's word.  He also enjoys community in the church and loves to see people becoming involved in one another's lives.

Executive Pastor and Pastor of Adult Ministries

Joined eFree Staff: 2002

Ministry Responsibilities: Pastor Mark's responsibilities include leadership development, financial strategy, organizational leadership, ministry team development, Adult Bible Fellowships, and adult ministries.

Education:

• Undergraduate degree in music
• Graduate level certificate of Theological Studies
• Masters degree in Religious Education with emphasis in leadership
• Ordained with the Evangelical Free Churches of America in 1984

Hometown: Suburban Chicago

About Pastor Mark:

Pastor Mark grew-up in suburban Chicago where he enjoyed being a part of a band, in vocal ensembles and musical drama productions.  He felt a call to ministry in early childhood and had a fascination for leadership which developed later on with his master's degree.

Mark has a wide church background, having served in both large and small churches, and has held positions in Worship Ministries, Adult Ministries, as Senior Pastor, and Executive Pastor.  He has served on multiple boards and committees such as Timber-lee, YMCA of Milwaukee and Sheboygan County, advisory boards for companies and is a certified Church Business Administrator.  He's also authored 5 leadership development curriculums and does conference and seminar speaking and church consulting in Christian leadership.

He met his wife Jeanie through a national student ministry association while he served as a Youth Pastor and Jeanie served as the Director of Christian Education.  They have two adult children who are both involved in Christian music ministry.  Pastor Mark enjoys flying airplanes, riding his Goldwing motorcycle, and learning about new technology.  His passion is to develop leaders within the church who are sold out for the cause of Christ and for doing ministry as a team to reach biblical goals.

Custodian

Joined eFree Staff:  1999

Ministry Responsibilities:  Steve assists in the cleaning, upkeep and maintenance of the church facility.

Education:

Hometown:

About Steve:

Worship Coordinator

Joined eFree Staff:  2003

Ministry Responsibilities: Mary's primary responsibilities are working with the Traditional and Evening Services.  She is part of the contemporary service worship team and assists with special services and programs.  She is a wonderful pianist and is skilled at accompanying. 

Education:

• Sheboygan North High School
• B.A. in Business Administration from Dordt College, Sioux Center, IA

Hometown:  Sheboygan, WI

About Mary: 

Mary is married to Larry and they have a teenage daughter and son.  Mary started "playing the piano" in Kindergarten and officially began taking lessons in 2nd grade.  She sang in choirs through college and accompanied many voice lessons.  She particularly enjoyed learning from expert voice teachers as an accompanist.  After returning to Sheboygan, Mary accompanied the eFree church choir for several years before joining the church staff.  Mary enjoys camping, walking, reading, and dark roast coffee.

Mary enjoys seeing other people use their musical skills and talents to serve the Lord.   She is passionate about helping to lead others in worship.

Head Custodian

Joined eFree Staff: 1981

Ministry Responsibilities: Sandy is responsible for keeping the church facilities clean and maintained.

Education:

Sheboygan North High School

Hometown: Sheboygan

About Sandy:

Sandy is married to Roy.  They have five adult children, 13 grandchildren, and one great-granddaughter.  Sandy enjoys working on their "family tree," puzzles, and crocheting.  She is also involved with the Missions Board, Facilities Committee, and teaches Sunday School and Children's Church.

Secretary-Receptionist

Joined eFree Staff: 2001

Ministry Responsibilities:  Sally's job duties include answering the telephone and helping people at the front desk during the morning, publishing the weekly worship folders for the weekly bulletin, and assisting the office staff in various secretarial ways.

Work History:

• Before joining the church staff, Sally worked at an Engineering company for more than 10 years.

Hometown:  Streator, IL

About Sally:

Sally grew up in Illinois and met her husband in 1958.  Although they had grown up in the same church, they didn't meet until she was in her junior year of high school.  Sally and Bill have two daughters, 4 granddaughters, and one son who died at the age of 14.

Sally enjoys living on a hobby farm and always seems to have the funniest stories when it comes to animals.  Currently she has chickens, a peacock, a turkey, 3 guineas, many cats and a St. Bernard dog.  In her free time she enjoys reading, cooking, supervising the church nursery and mowing the lawn with her riding lawn mower.

Ministry Assistant

Joined eFree Staff:  2005

Ministry Responsibilities:  Hannah assists the Executive Pastor and Church Administrator as well as handles the communications (including the monthly newsletter and website) and scheduling the use of the church facility.

Education:

• Homeschool High School
• School of Creative Arts in Sydney Australia, Dance
• Lakeshore Technical College, Administrative Assistant
• Nicolet Bible Institute, Biblical Studies and Camping Ministries

Hometown: Marshfield, WI and Sheboygan, WI

About Hannah:

Hannah grew-up in a small city, so when she moved to Sheboygan it was like moving to the 'big city.'  Then after spending a semester in Australia as an exchange student she realized Sheboygan wasn't that big after all. 

In her spare time Hannah loves working in children's ministries, especially the Awana program.  She also enjoys quilting, scrapbooking, crocheting, down-hill skiing, reading, drinking coffee and spending time with her family and friends.

Director of Christian Education

Joined e-Free Staff: 1979

Ministry Responsibilities:

Yvonne provides oversight of Children's and Special Needs ministries including Sunday School, Children's Church, Awana, Praise Express and summer outreach ministries (SAS-5 and Vacation Bible School).

Education:

• Sheboygan South High School
• B.A. in Bible from Trinity International University in Deerfield, IL

Hometown: Sheboygan, WI

About Yvonne:

Yvonne is the youngest daughter of the founding Pastor of the Sheboygan eFree Church. Even though Yvonne grew up in the church, she did not experience saving faith until just before her senior year in high school.  Because of this, her passion has been to reach children and youth who have grown up in the church but not truly experienced the heart transformation of the Gospel. 

In the past five years God has opened another door for ministry at a local elementary school where she has found great joy in reaching children who have never been exposed to the love and Good News of Jesus.  She especially has a heart for unreached children who have immigrated to the United States in the last 3-5 years. She enjoys using Awana--in the church, and Good News Club--in local schools as a way to reach out to these groups of children.  In her spare time you'll see her downhill skiing, doing counted cross-stitch, walking her dog, and discipling new believers.

Church Administrator

Joined eFree Staff: 2003

Ministry Responsibilities:

Heather's main job is to supervise the administrative, clerical and custodial support staff, handle HR matters, work with the Executive Pastor on financial and administrative issues, oversee the Welcome Ministry and act as the staff liaison to the Deacon Board and its sub-committees.

Education:

• Bethel College, Mishawaka, IN - BA, Languages
• "Institute for Organization Management", US Chamber of Commerce - 4-year development program

Heather's career was spent in Convention & Visitors Bureau sales/services and tourism promotion in Indiana and Wisconsin until God called her here to the E. Free Church.

Hometown: Born in California and raised in Ontario, Canada

About Heather:

Since Heather grew up in Canada, you'll occasionally hear a Canadian accent or an odd word or two when you speak with her.   Her love of foreign culture led her to travel/study abroad in Greece, Mexico and France.

Heather is married to Dave, and they have two daughters, two cats and a bunny.  In her limited free time she enjoys cooking, gardening, camping and reading. However, she always finds time to join a friend over a great cup of coffee!

Bookkeeper

Joined eFree Staff: 2001 

Ministry Responsibilities:

Ann processes payroll, accounts payable and weekly income.  She is responsible for reconciling bank statements and general ledger accounts.  She prepares financial and tax reports.  She maintains confidentiality.

Education:

•  BA Spanish, Drake University
• Junior Year abroad, Barcelona and Spain
• Additional coursework in Business and Accounting at UW Sheboygan and Lakeland College

Hometown: Shawnee Mission, Kansas

About Ann: 

Ann has worked in the accounting field in Kansas City and Sheboygan since graduating from college.  She began taking courses at UW Sheboygan and Lakeland while working full-time with the hopes of getting her masters in Accounting and becoming a CPA.  However, she retired to become a full-time mom, homemaker, and volunteer.

God led Ann to the eFree Church in 2000.  That same year Jesus became Ann's Lord and Savior.  She joined the staff and became a member in January 2001.

Ann's interests are art, music, traveling, golf and swimming.  She is an avid Jayhawk basketball fan.  She loves being outside in all of God's beautiful glory, but hates waiting until late May for Spring in the frozen tundra.  She hopes she reflects His glory as she serves and follows Him.

Secretary-Receptionist

Joined eFree Staff: 2009

Ministry Responsibilities:  Kay's in charge of our church database, is editor of our weekly bulletin, answers the phone, helps people who come to the office during the afternoon, and helps 'plug-in' people who are new to our church family.

Education:

• Northwestern College, Nursing
• Lakeshore Technical College, Medical Assistant

Hometown: Cedar Grove, WI

About Kay:

Kay grew-up in Cedar Grove as the youngest of three girls.   After college graduation, she worked for an Internist in Family Medical for several years.  She then went to work for an opthamologist where she enjoyed being the Surgical coordinator for more than 20 years.

Through her recent marriage to Denny, she has 2 step-children and 2 grandchildren with one on the way.  Kay loves working with kids and has been involved in children's ministries for 25 years.  In her spare time you'll see her canoeing, skiing, reading and going for walks.

Grounds Keeper

Joined eFree Staff:  2009

Ministry Responsibilities:  Brian takes care of the set-up and tear-down for our contemporary services, cares for the outdoor church property whether that means lawn mowing or snow blowing, and does other various grounds keeping tasks.

Education:

• NWTC, Journeyman's Card in Sheet Metal
• Currently in school to become an AODA Counselor

Hometown:

The Fox Valley area

About Brian:

Brian grew-up in the Fox Valley area and moved to the Sheboygan area because of a job change.  He ended up staying in Sheboygan because of the connections he made at the E. Free Church.

Brian is married to Katie, they are currently homeschooling their two daughters and are enjoying life with a new dog.  In his spare time, Brian enjoys eating snicker doodles, watching football, and spending time with his three girls.