New member profiles

Lori Albers grew up in Green Oaks with her parents, Christi and Tim, and sister and brother, Mallory and Josh. She attends Libertyville High School, was confirmand last year, and joined the church recently. According to Lori, her parents made her attend church, but “it wasn’t until confirmation that it was my choice to come.” She was involved in a house-painting service project last year.

For recreation she plays soccer on the traveling team, runs in cross-country, and greatly enjoys singing in the school choir. Florida is her favorite vacation spot, because that’s where she has gone with her family many times. Her mother has been the most important spiritual influence in her life.

Mike Anderson, also of Green Oaks, confirmed last year, and a freshman at Libertyville High School, joined church recently as well. He grew up in Deerfield and Green Oaks and was baptized at Winnetka Covenant Church. His parents are Marti and Bill, and he has a brother, Jon, and a sister, Katie.

Mike also reports that since he grew up here he came to church with his parents, and they and the kids he knows are what keep him coming. He enjoys sports, games, and movies in his free time and says Florida is a favorite destination. All of his Sunday school teachers have been the strongest spiritual influences in his life.

November, 1998

Christi Harrison, a freshman at Libertyville High School and a confirmand last year, has grown up in Libertyville and came to our church with her parents, Jean and Blaine, and her younger sister, Kaitlyn. The friendliness she experienced got her involved, and she has gone on to help with vacation Bible school and Adventure Club, and to participate in mission trips.

Christi likes to vacation in Breckenridge, Colorado. A couple of her favorite recreational activities are reading and dance.

Denise and Jeff Jordan, who live near church in Green Oaks and became members recently, are the parents of four-year-old Alayna and eight-month-old Bryce. Denise spends her time being a full-time mom, and Jeff does computer work for IBM. They both say that, in addition to the location of Libertyville Covenant, they were attracted by the children's programs and the friendly people. The spiritual grounding of the church and Pastor Dave's ministry helped them feel that they had found a home here.

Denise grew up in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, and Jeff in Prospect Heights, Illinois. For recreation Jeff is interested in sports car racing, travel, and camping. Denise enjoys gardening, travel, biking, and cooking. They like vacationing in Wisconsin, particularly Door County.

They both say that their mothers have been the strongest spiritual influences in their lives.

Kelsey Maynard, a freshman at Libertyville High School, grew up in Libertyville and has always been coming to our church with her parents, Vicki and Wes, and her older brother, Jay. She has enjoyed youth group and youth activities. The past three years Kelsey has taken part in mission trips, going to South Dakota, West Virginia, and Nashville most recently. In addition, she has helped out with Adventure Club and vacation Bible school.

In her free time Kelsey, a recent confirmand, likes playing softball and traveling. Seattle is one pretty spot she has especially enjoyed visiting.

Kristie Sorensen, a freshman at St. Norbert College, De Pere, Wisconsin, moved to Libertyville from Atlanta two and a half years ago with her parents, Tricia and Bob, and younger sister, Erin. Her friend Nikki Clark invited her to Libertyville Covenant, where she responded favorably to the good youth program, the friendly congregation, the staff, and the location.

Kristie was born in Miami, where she lived before moving to Atlanta. When she is home from college, she works at the Children's Place. In addition to regular youth group activities when she was in high school, she went on the Ju‡rez mission trip. For recreation she plays tennis and enjoys other outdoor activities and being with her friends. Her favorite vacation spot is St. George Island, Florida. Kristie says her parents and sister have been the most influential people in her spiritual life.

Lourdes and Anthony Wilson, Ivanhoe residents, joined Libertyville Covenant earlier this year. Their first visit to church was to hear a concert, and they found the members very warm and friendly. That factor, plus the children's programs and the way Pastors Dave and Kirk interpret the Word of God, helped them decide to make their church home here. Lourdes currently works with Adventure Club and also has helped with vacation Bible school.

Anthony, or Tony, is a client acquisition director for Allstate and grew up in Bronx, New York. Lourdes, currently a homemaker after having worked for First Chicago prior to 1991, grew up in New York City and Puerto Rico. They are the parents of Jessica, who is a second-grader at Fremont School, Dwayne, Darron, and Dawn Wilson, and Albert Negron.

Hobbies for Lourdes include reading cookbooks, music, movies, walking, traveling, dining out, and getting together with friends. And in her spare time she volunteers for Lake County Haven and Ivanhoe Club Audubon! She likes to travel to "anywhere warm and outdoors; the Islands." Tony enjoys music, golf, movies, and dining out, and his idea of a good vacation spot is a warm golf course.

Lourdes says that her godmother and mother provided spiritual examples in her life when she was young. Tony also credits his mother as a spiritual influence, as well as the pastor where he grew up. "We are both very happy to be part of Libertyville Covenant Church. We have found nice friends to share with, and so has Jessica."

October, 1998

Jennifer Anderer, who is a student at Libertyville High School, lived in Redmond, Washington, before moving to Libertyville with her family. Her parents, Lynn and Rick, brought her to our church initially, but the nice people and the youth group helped make her feel at home. Older sisters Laurie and Carrie are both away at college right now.

Jennifer puts some of her talents to work at church by helping with Adventure Club and Vacation Bible School. In her spare time she enjoys getting together with friends and playing the trumpet (another talent to use in church!). Her favorite vacation spot is the family's beach house in Ludington, Michigan.

Jennifer gives credit to her parents as the most influential people in her spiritual life.

Nils Anderson, a freshman at Grayslake Community High School, moved to Grayslake from Bloomington, Minnesota, when he was in sixth grade. He came to Libertyville Covenant because his parents, Cathy and Bob, had friends at the church. Nils has an older brother, Bjorn, and a younger brother, Stefan.

Nils is a regular at youth group as well as at church, and in his spare time he loves to play hockey (and more hockey). Although the schools here don't have the well-developed teams that his Minnesota schools did, he has found good opportunities to play for the Atoms in the Lake County Youth Ice Hockey Association. He says that Bloomington would have to qualify as his favorite vacation spot, since "it's the only place my family ever goes."

He also credits his parents as the strongest spiritual influences in his life.

Scott Ganser, an analytical chemist for Manpower, grew up in Darien, Wisconsin, and recently joined Libertyville Covenant. He was attracted to the church because of its adherence to Scripture, as well as his having had contact with the denomination before. He found that the friendly family atmosphere and the sermon style drew him in. "After meeting Pastor Dave and taking the inquirers' class, I planned to stay," said Scott.

Scott takes part in Common Ground at Willow Creek. With his spare time he likes travel--with Europe being a favorite destination--reading, studying Scripture, and witnessing. Scott says that Ben Scripture has been influential in his life. "His firm faith, truthfulness, and relentlessness were pivotal in my coming to believe."

Jon Krueger, a student at Lake Zurich High School, has been coming to Libertyville Covenant with his family since he was a child. His family includes parents Linda and Jim and brother Andy.

Jon has enjoyed youth group and the other kids at church, and he is looking forward to participating in service projects with the senior high group. His recreational activities are playing sports and practicing the guitar, and his favorite vacation spot is Virginia Beach, Virginia. Pastor Dave has been the strongest spiritual influence in Jon's life, and he is pleased to be a member of the church.

Erin Sorensen, a freshman at Libertyville High School, has been attending our church for the past two years--since her family moved here from Atlanta. She credits Nikki Clark, a friend of her older sister Kristie's, with attracting her to Libertyville Covenant, and said "the people and my family!" are what kept her coming back. Erin says her parents have been the most influential people in her spiritual life.

Like our other recent confirmands, Erin has been involved in youth group activities, and also has been quite active in supporting what she calls "my adopted family" through Love Inc.--a single mom with twins and triplets. While the family beach house on St. George Island is her favorite vacation spot, Erin enjoys plenty of activities around here, too, including tennis and softball during the summer--"and I hang out with all my friends."

September, 1998

Earleen and Jeff Johnson joined church May 31. They live in Libertyville and have four sons: Ryan, age 20 and a student at Illinois State, Brett, 16, Tyler, 11, and Evan, 9. Earleen has worked part-time at Lake Forest Hospital in the registration department for twenty years, and Jeff has been a practicing chiropractor for nearly twenty years, having his office in Gurnee. Although Earleen and Jeff grew up in Waukegan three blocks apart, they did not meet until college.

When the Johnsons decided they wanted to find a new church home, they prayed for God's guidance and visited many churches in the area. After their first service at Libertyville Covenant, they knew that this was where God was leading them. They have appreciated the friendliness of the congregation, the style of the service, and the many activities available for all ages. "Libertyville makes it so easy to become involved," according to Earleen. "There are so many opportunities to serve. I have been involved in women's Bible study, vacation Bible school, and planning and hosting bridal and baby showers, which I have thoroughly enjoyed."

The Johnsons enjoy family trips, especially to their vacation home on Lake Delton in the Wisconsin Dells and an annual spring break trip to Orlando. Jeff also likes golf, water skiing, and snow skiing. Earleen volunteers at an animal shelter in Grayslake, as a dog walker and the one in charge of the shelter's pet therapy program, which is a program of taking shelter dogs to visit residents in nursing homes.

When asked who had been a strong spiritual influence in her life, Earleen said, "I grew up in a Christian family so God has been part of my life as far back as I can remember. I can't imagine going through my daily routine without my faith. My brother, Scott, has been an influential person in my spiritual life. I appreciate his knowledge of the Bible and enjoy debating with him on various subjects."

Tricia and Bob Sorensen, who live in Libertyville, also officially joined church in May. Bob is a lawyer with Midas, Inc., and Tricia presently is a homemaker. Their daughter Kristie (18) graduated from Libertyville High School in June and is attending St. Norbert College. Daughter Erin (14), who recently went on the mission trip to Mexico, is starting Libertyville High School this year.

The youth groups were one reason the family began attending Libertyville Covenant after moving here from Atlanta. Tricia grew up in Atlanta, and Bob lived several places before there, including Toronto, Wilbraham (Massachusetts), Cleveland, and Arlington Heights. The warmth of the congregation and Pastor Dave's caring were the things that made them want to be part of the fellowship.

The entire family has become involved helping a young mother with triplets and twins through Love, Inc., as we learned one Sunday morning during a mission moment. The benefits have been two-way, the Sorensens say.

Tricia enjoys spending time with her family, playing tennis, and participating in water sports. Bob relaxes with boating and tennis. Favorite vacation spots are St. George Island, Florida, and the Virgin Islands. Bob says that Tricia is the most influential person spiritually in his life, and for Tricia it's her parents and grandmother.

July, 1998

Christy Benak, an undergraduate at Trinity International University, is being married in our church to Jeff Gard August 1. (Note: She was, and now she's Christy Gard!) Needless to say, her life has been busy lately, including being the honored guest of the women of the church at a recent bridal shower. Christy is pursuing a degree and certificate in secondary education and English and plans to teach at the high school level. She spent the past year teaching third-grade Sunday school at Libertyville Covenant.

Christy began coming to the church after wanting to be able to worship with Jeff. She had been going to Willow Creek, but came here since Jeff, John Wegner, and Matt Ostercamp were attending Libertyville Covenant. "I loved the friendly family atmosphere," Christy recalled. "I was really struck by the fact that someone brought me brownies after my first visit and that Pastor Dave knew my name when I came back."

Christy grew up in Des Plaines, where her parents and younger sister, Heather, live. She also has a brother, Derek, who is married and lives in Wheeling. Christy loves to read as well as taking walks in the woods and playing in-line hockey against and with Jeff. The Silver Birch Ranch is a favorite retreat center.

Six years ago Christy's friends Matt and Leigh Hook led her to the Lord. "Recently people like Jeff, John, Matt, Harold Baxter, Jon Lunde, and my roommate Jill have all helped me to see Christ more clearly and seek him more earnestly."

Elizabeth and John Christian, who live in Mundelein, joined church last March. We've appreciated getting to know them and their children, Anna, nearly 11 years, Scott, 2 years, and latest addition Emily (born in March). John, whom you have seen singing in the choir, is a representative for medical patient monitoring equipment. Elizabeth, who grew up in Lincolnshire, works for PEC Consultants, Inc., which is a virtual office offering bookkeeping, marketing, and administrative services. And, of course, she is a full-time mom.

John grew up in Kalamazoo, Michigan, and went to Hope College in Holland. When asked how they found Libertyville Covenant, John replied, "As funny as it sounds, 'the Spirit led me.' After I met Rollie (another 6' 6" person), with his warmth and peaceful spirit, I immediately invited Elizabeth and my family to attend with me." The Christians continued to be drawn to Libertyville Covenant by the friendliness of the people, the preaching of God's word, the Christ-centered congregation, the diverse age groups, and the doctrine of "where is it written?"

Elizabeth enjoys reading, sewing, and tennis, and was blessed by bringing gifts and a hot meal to a needy family this past Christmas through Love, Inc. John takes part in Habitat for Humanity and also enjoys tennis, basketball, music, singing, family time, and "putzin' in my garage." Elizabeth likes to visit Venice, Florida, where her parents live, saying, "I grew up spending spring breaks on the ocean, watching beautiful sunsets and enjoying God's creation." John likes to vacation in Port Sheldon, Michigan.

When asked who has been a strong spiritual influence in their lives, Elizabeth says it is John, and John says it is his brother Dan. "His loving-kindness, pursuit of God's word, openness to communication, and vulnerability have ministered to me in my walk with Christ. My colleague and personal friend, Roger Reed, also has had a strong influence."

John concluded, "I am excited for me and my family to be active members of the Covenant church. I trust God to put the gifts he has given us to use in the ministry of the church. And as we meet new friends, may God bless those relationships."

Jeff Gard lives in Libertyville and works as a senior customer service representative at Moore Business Forms in Vernon Hills. In this capacity he does everything from placing orders on computer to locating lost shipments to answering questions from co-workers. His division deals with small business owners who use credit card sales slips and paper rolls for their registers.

Jeff began coming to the church with his roommate, Matt Ostercamp, after Matt had come a few times with the Fratts. And as a Trinity graduate Jeff knew that a couple of the professors attended here as well. He found the people friendly and encouraging--in short, it felt like home. Jeff has been teaching third-grade Sunday school with his fiancée, Christy Benak.

Jeff grew up in Beloit, Wisconsin, with his parents and two brothers, and Beloit is where his parents and relatives currently live. His younger brother, Greg, is a student at Trinity, and his older brother, Rob, is trying to sell a screenplay in Hollywood. Jeff's interests include writing, playing tennis and Frisbee golf, reading the classics of literature, learning, and teaching.

Some of the spiritual influences that have worked in Jeff's life are his mother, his fiancée, his roommates, St. Augustine's Confessions, and Dietrich Bonhoeffer's Cost of Discipleship, among others.

Aimee and Eric Messner joined church last March. Aimee combines being a mom to their son, Grant (who turns 1 this month), with free-lance writing, and Eric is a district manager for a pharmaceutical company. He also is working on an MBA through Kellogg. Eric grew up in Port Clinton, Ohio, and Aimee in Waukegan, and they met while attending Miami of Ohio. Since their marriage, they have lived in Michigan, Chicago, Minnesota, and now Gurnee.

When they returned to the Chicago area this time, they were looking for a church that was similar to the Lutheran church, had a strong social network, and had many children. Aimee knew about our church from her grandparents, Jayne and Les Harman, so she and Eric attended a few services and decided it was the right place for them. What kept them coming back was Pastor Dave, with his genuine love for his work and the church as well as his sermons; the friendly, outgoing people who made them feel at home; and the orientation of the church to families and children.

Aimee writes a feature-informational column for her neighborhood newsletter and also enjoys running, golf, and tennis in her spare time. Eric likes running, golf, and sailing. California is a popular destination when they have the opportunity. Eric likes San Francisco best, and for Aimee it's a toss-up between La Jolla and Napa.

When asked who has been a strong spiritual influence in their lives, Eric says it is the pastor at his first church in Ohio. Through the young adult Sunday school class the pastor taught and day-to-day experiences living across the street from him, "he had an influence on my life both inside and outside the church." Aimee finds that Grant is her strong spiritual influence. "When he was born, I realized the amazing gift we've been given from God. Every day I look at Grant and understand how precious life is and how miraculous the Lord truly is."

Holly Blanchette lives in Ingleside with her husband, Daryl, and her three-year-old son, Thomas. Holly is a real estate agent for Re/Max, having recently left Century 21 after nine years. She also is a part-time ESL instructor through College of Lake County, not to mention being a full-time mom.

A few years ago Holly was looking for a church in which to be married. When she was young, her family attended had Winnetka Covenant when they lived in the area, so she knew about the Covenant church. And since Daryl is from Antioch, they wanted to find a church in Lake County. Voila, Libertyville Covenant! They experienced friendly, welcoming people, and, Holly says, "I was pleased to be included in church mailings and to be personally invited to the TGIF gatherings."

As Holly Anderson, she starred on Maine West's famous state high school championship basketball team. She still enjoys all sports as recreation, in particular, snow and water skiing, volleyball, basketball, softball, and golf. Her favorite vacation spot is either the Rocky Mountains or a sun-drenched beach.

Holly is appreciative of the great example of a Christian life provided by her parents. She currently helps in the toddler nursery and looks forward to meeting more people at Libertyville Covenant.

Pam and Jon Lunde, who joined church in March, live in Libertyville and are the parents of Ryan (6 years old, Rockland School) and 2-year-old twins Connor and Trevor. Not surprisingly, Pam is a full-time mom. Jon is professor of biblical studies at Trinity International University.

Pam and Jon found our church because it was near where they lived, Pam grew up in a Covenant church in Washington, and other Trinity faculty members who attended here told them about it. They both say that what kept them coming back was the warmth and friendliness of the people, the theology as expressed in sermons and adult Sunday school, and "the genuine warmth and pastoring heart of Pastor Dave and Kay, along with their fun-loving personalities."

Jon, who grew up in Fergus Falls, a town of about 12,000 in west-central Minnesota, occasionally has taught our adult Sunday school class, including one session right now. He is an assistant coach in Little League baseball, but otherwise his spare time is spoken for by the responsibilities of starting his career as a professor. Pam grew up in Seattle, which makes that city and the Pacific Northwest a natural draw for a vacation spot for all the Lundes.

Both Pam and Jon were blessed with fathers who have been strong influences in their spiritual life. Pam says of her father, "His love and devotion to God gave me a strong example of genuine and constant faith." Jon cites his father's "conviction regarding the truthfulness of the biblical message, his concern for those who haven't heard the gospel, his compassion for the less privileged, his honesty, and his humility" as having a profound impact on his life.

Some hobbies the Lundes have in common are walking and biking. Pam also likes roller blading, decorating, and appreciating the arts. Jon likes to golf, play tennis, jog, and read.

Kim and Jeff Nilsen are proud parents of Emily, who was born last December. Kim is a teacher at Swedish Covenant day care center, and Jeff is technical account manager at IDX Systems Corporation. Kim grew up in Cadillac, Michigan, and Jeff in Holliston, Massachusetts.

Word of mouth brought the Nilsens to Libertyville Covenant, where they have appreciated the family feeling, the number of children and children's programs, as well as the adult groups and programs. They felt a warm welcome here, and they found the worship services and sermons meaningful.

Both Nilsens enjoy reading. Kim also likes to sew and spend time with her family, and Jeff likes watching movies old and new. Orlando, Florida, Portage Lake Bible camp, and camping in New Hampshire are favorite vacation spots.

During Kim's high school days, she came to know Pastor Dean Nelson and his family from her home church very well, and she considers Pastor Nelson an influential person in her life spiritually. A camp pastor who later became Jeff's confirmation pastor has been a model in his life. Jeff first met Pastor Denny Moon at Camp Squanto, New Hampshire, and later he was the pastor in Jeff's home church. "He showed me how to worship through music, stories, and prayer," said Jeff.

Constance and Rhett Taylor, who live in Grayslake, also officially joined church in March. Rhett has not traveled far in terms of miles from where he grew up, Wildwood, whereas Constance has come a great distance--she grew up in Buenos Aires in a missionary family. Currently Constance uses her fluent Spanish in her job as a bilingual teacher in Round Lake, and Rhett is a biologist at Abbott Labs.

The Taylors were attracted to Libertyville Covenant by the friendliness of the people, the traditional worship style, the choir, and adult Sunday school. Constance knew she was in the right place when Rollie Carlson had heard of her denomination, the Christian and Missionary Alliance, and Rhett's head was turned by Twyla and Chris Becker's bringing muffins to their house. (He notes that the muffins were baked by Jackie Pointer.) Today Constance takes part in the Shake 'n' Bake ministry, to help welcome more people through such treats as muffins.

International travel is a favorite activity for the Taylors. In addition to Buenos Aires, Rhett names London as one of the best spots he's ever visited and Constance found the friendliest people she's ever met in Scotland. They both like reading and listening to music (you've seen Constance in choir and Rhett at the piano during services), and Rhett likes gardening and practicing the piano. He also chairs the worship and music committee of the church.

Constance credits her parents are being her spiritual role models. "They taught me in a very loving way to be an independent thinker." For Rhett, a college Sunday school teacher named Jerry Peterman really challenged him "to think about the Bible in a theological way, as more than just a set of stories."

Within the past year, several of the young people in our congregation who were confirmed in 1997 made a decision to establish formal church membership. This decision tells the rest of the congregation that they want to take part fully in the life of the church--its positive benefits as well as its responsibilities. These young people are pledging to give their time and talents to our fellowship, and one of the responsibilities the rest of us have toward them is to provide strong examples of people who are striving to grow and mature in Christ, through the grace of God.

Adam Cholewin, a freshman at Libertyville High School, grew up in Chicago and came to Libertyville Covenant with his family. The kids in Sunday school became good friends right from the start, and Adam has since then taken part in youth group, camp, and the mission trip. He likes bike riding and vacationing in Key West, Florida. His camp counselors have had a big impact on his life spiritually--they have been serious, but also fun in ways that have encouraged Adam's walk with God.

Jennifer Franson also is a freshman at Libertyville High School and came to the church with her family. She has been involved in youth group, Bible study, mission trips, and camp. Jennifer has shared her musical ability on the flute with the congregation in special numbers, and she also is interested in dance. Her favorite vacation spots are Sweden and Michigan. Strong spiritual influences in her life are her mother, people at camp, friends, and youth leaders. If she could change something in the world today, she would like to improve the environment.

Brett Gullberg, who lives in Lake Bluff, is a freshman at Lake Forest High School. His parents brought him to Libertyville Covenant from the time he was born, and he currently is active in youth group. Soccer and freshman basketball at school are among the sports he loves, and his favorite vacation spot is Florida. His parents have been influential spiritual leaders for him through their teachings and example of church involvement. If he could change something in today's world, he would want people to become Christians so societal problems would decline.

Britta Heintzelman also lives in Lake Bluff and is a freshman at Lake Forest High School, and her parents brought her to Libertyville Covenant (do we sense a pattern here?). Britta keeps active with youth group, Bel Cantos, volleyball, and badminton, and has taken part in the mission trip. She likes to spend time in Cancun, Mexico, or Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, at Covenant Harbor. Britta credits her sister, Julie, and her cousin Gretchen Heintzelman for their spiritual influence on her life. She would like all people of the world to have a better life and to become more aware of Christ.

Andra Hjelm is a freshman at Libertyville High School and came to the church with her family. Around church, she has taken part in youth group, Bible study, and mission trips. Andra lists waterskiing and bowling as hobbies, and likes to vacation in Florida. Camp counselor, Betsy Erikson, has been the most influential person in her life spiritually. Andra desires world peace and elimination of poverty, to help make the world a better place.

Lindsey Holm lives in Gurnee and is a freshman at Warren High School. She grew up outside of Denver in the city of Aurora, Colorado, where her family went to a Covenant church. When they moved here, the family chose our church for its denominational ties. Lindsey has participated in the mission project in West Virginia and two spring projects at Cabrini Green in Chicago. She is a member of Students of Service and likes playing basketball. Her favorite place to vacation is New York City. Lindsey says she has had a great combination of pastors, youth pastors, family, and friends who have helped her grow and mature spiritually.

Andy Krueger lives in Lake Zurich and is a freshman at Lake Zurich High School. He came to Libertyville Covenant with his family thirteen years ago. He has taken part in youth group projects, and his hobbies are cross-country and track. Andy's favorite vacation was a cruise to the Caribbean. Andy says that Jesus Christ is the most influential person in his life spiritually, because Jesus is always there when times are tough. If Andy could change something in today's world, he would wipe out drugs.

Erin Thorson lives in Lake Villa and is a freshman at Grayslake High School. She came to Libertyville Covenant with her parents, and found the large number of nice kids a big plus. Erin has taken part in youth group and also has helped with Adventure Club. Running is her hobby, and her favorite vacation spot is Nebraska, which is one of the places she used to live. Her older sisters, Sarah and Julie, are strong spiritual influences in her life. If Erin could change something in the world today, she would have everyone go to church because they would become better people.

We are thankful for each of these young people and are blessed to have them in our congregation. Their enthusiasm, idealism, and willingness to be involved minister to us all.

March, 1998

Matt Ostercamp began coming to Libertyville Covenant because of Trinity friends who attend here, the Fratts and the Pointers. The worship services and the Sunday school classes kept him coming back. A Libertyville resident and roommate of John Wegner's and Jeff Gard's, Matt is working on his M.A. in Christian thought at Trinity International University, as well as being employed at the campus library. Career goals include a Ph.D. in history and eventually teaching undergraduate history.

Matt's father, the Rev. Larry Ostercamp, has been a significant spiritual influence in his life. Matt also appreciates the writings of theologians and philosophers Soren Kierkegaard, Jonathan Edwards, and Blaise Pascal. Matt's own heart for ministry is given outlet in his work with students at Great Lakes Naval Training Station.

Matt's earlier years living in Wayne, Nebraska, may explain his fondness for Nebraska football, although not necessarily for the Texas Rangers and the Kansas City Chiefs. When asked what he would like to change in today's world, Matt said, "Make it so people would love to read and be forced to watch TV, rather than vice versa." His own passions include reading, especially history, theology, and philosophy, as well as the aforementioned sports.

Matt's favorite vacation spot is the Rocky Mountains, and he also visits his parents in Meriden, Iowa, from time to time. We are blessed to have him in our congregation.

John Wegner, our newly elected chair of the Christian education committee, has been active around church as an eighth-grade Sunday school teacher and a junior high youth sponsor. John joined the church last fall, after being introduced to it by his roommates (see above). His interest in and enthusiasm for youth ministry just may be attributable to the strong spiritual influence a youth pastor, John Nelsen, exerted on John's life.

Although he lives in Libertyville, John confesses to being a Minnesotan at heart. His favorite vacation spot is even Camp Shamineau in Motley, Minnesota. (Say, do you know Craig Swanson and Becky and Blake Stromberg?)

Currently employed as a customer service representative at Moore Business Forms, John hopes to fulfill his passion of ministry as a missionary. This past summer he worked toward that goal by doing mission work in New York City.

John thinks an important change in today's world would be to "pass a law to ban all dumb commercials (especially car commercials)." Guess the commercial that the nominating committee used to sell him on the council must not have been dumb. John originally was prepared to fill the position of council secretary, but responded to the urgent, eleventh-hour need for someone to lead our church's Christian education effort. We are grateful and fortunate that John stepped forward.

December, 1997

Debbie and Terry Baab

You probably have seen Debbie Baab singing in the choir these days and Terry Baab serving as an usher. New members who are residents of Gurnee, the Baabs came to our church based on Debbie's having grown up in a Covenant church. "Everyone seemed to enjoy being in church," according to Terry, and Debbie found Libertyville Covenant "an active and growing church with enthusiastic members." What great comments!

Debbie works as a project manager in retail systems for First Chicago NBD, working with consumer loan software. Terry works in construction for Ameritech, maintaining the telephone plant. His interesting hobby is being a private pilot; currently he's building an airplane! Terry's daughters, April, a sophomore in high school, and Robin, a sophomore at the University of Minnesota, occasionally have come to church with their parents as well.

Terry was born in Miami, and Debbie in Youngstown, Ohio, but they moved to Chicago at a young age. They both pay tribute to Debbie's mom, Ruth Hershberger, as an influential spiritual force in their lives. Terry says she is someone who truly lives the Golden Rule, and Debbie has learned from her lifelong spirit of kindness and helpfulness toward all people with whom she comes in contact. Ruth has visited in our congregation several times; get to know her next time she is here.

The family is learning to play golf, and Debbie also enjoys riding bikes. Their favorite vacation spot is Captiva Island, Florida. (Maybe they can play golf and ride bikes there.)

When asked what they would wish to change in today's world, Terry said, "Everyone on earth would have enough food, shelter, and a kind heart." We appreciate Terry and Debbie's bringing this spirit of caring to our congregation.

Eleanor Dominique

A first-generation Dane, Eleanor Dominique grew up on the northwest side of Chicago and in the Medill Avenue Lutheran Church. A one-time member of Winnetka Covenant Church, she retired to Libertyville and joined our fellowship, finding it to have a friendly family atmosphere. Oh yes, the many Scandinavians also made the church family appealing to her. Mother of four and grandmother of twelve, Eleanor has been active in the Dania Ladies and the Scandinavian American Cultural Society.

Eleanor worked as an executive secretary, a sales representative, and a real estate agent during her career and currently does house and pet sitting. When she was a home owner, she was one of fifteen founders of the Libertyville Home and Garden Club. Door County, Wisconsin, is her favorite nearby vacation spot.

When asked what she would like to change in today's world, she said, "Stress, especially for children and young people's sake." Personally, she has received a lift from listening to prominent twentieth-century American Christians such as Billy Graham, Robert Schuller, and Norman Vincent Peale.

Lorenzo and Penny Gutierrez

How did Penny and Lorenzo Gutierrez find our church? Their son Michael (11 years old, Highland Middle School) was invited to Adventure Club and Sunday school by his friend, John Lindahl.

Libertyville residents and the parents of another son, Alexander (8 years old, Copeland Elementary School), Penny is a home day care provider and Lorenzo works in quality assurance for Abbott Labs in the pharmaceutical products division. Penny grew up in St. Joseph, Illinois, a small farming community outside Champaign-Urbana. Although Lorenzo was born in Chicago, he lived in Guadalajara, Mexico, for eleven years. After that he and his family returned to Chicago, and next moved to Ottawa, Illinois, for Lorenzo's high school years.

Both Penny and Lorenzo are active in Cub Scouts in Libertyville. They like to read and ride bikes, and Penny also does a little gardening. When they started coming to LCC last November, they found people to be friendly, supportive, and welcoming. Penny says, "We feel very blessed and give thanks to God for this church and its congregation. The strong youth, music, fellowship, and Sunday school ministries are a welcome gift to our family."

Lorenzo says that Penny has been a strong influence in his spiritual journey, and he also appreciates the encouragement and support from the members of a Promise Keepers group he attends. Penny cites several family members as important spiritual influences in her life, including her brother, her husband, and her son Michael, who has showed her that "age is not a barrier to a true relationship with Jesus."