Southminster Presbyterian Church is blessed with a staff of faithful and gifted individuals...
Steve is celebrating his twenty-fifth year as Pastor of Southminster. His passion remains challenging people of all ages to connect more intimately and meaningfully with God, and encouraging a life that reflects Christ’s highest calling. Steve is involved with the community, serving on the Board of the Presbyterian Homes and leading the development of an exciting ministry at the University of Illinois-Chicago. In addition to his training at Princeton Theological Seminary, he was awarded a Doctor of Ministry degree from San Francisco Theological Seminary. He has done clinical chaplaincy ministry in both hospital and mental health settings. Steve and his wife, Susie, have two adult sons.
Andrew is excited for people to come to know Jesus as Lord and have the peace, security, joy, excitement, and identity that comes with being a disciple. He loves all forms of ministry: teaching, preaching, spiritual formation, worship, community service and justice, and more; though he concentrates his efforts now on shepherding families with the Faith at Home ministry and students in the Youth ministry. His theological education includes a Masters of Divinity from Fuller and Princeton Theological Seminaries, and a Masters in Christian Ethics from Loyola University. He is a husband (of Amy), a father (of Jackson and Greta), and he golfs, skis, and plays guitar if he can fit it in (yeah, right).
Working with the Children's Ministry Team, Eva coordinates all of Southminster's ministries for children, including Sunday school classes and annual events (like the Mardi Gras pancake supper and sock hop, the Easter Egg hunt with Merry Hearts Clowns, and Vacation Bible School in the summer). Eva received her bachelors degree in education from National Louis University and lives in Arlington Heights with her husband Mike and their two daughters.
Karlynn has been Director of Contemporary Music at Southminster for 10 years and involved with contemporary worship since it's beginnings at Southminster. Karlynn's desire to encourage worshipers to see worship as a verb and to bring their "best lamb" is the driving force behind her work at Southminster. She believes worship is something God uses to develop personal relationships with each of us. Karlynn and her husband Glenn have been members of Southminster for 25 years. She is a mom of 2 and a "Gramzo" of 2 granddaughters. If you're wondering what "bringing your best lamb" means, drop Karlynn an email to find out!
Leon Nelson comes to Southminster with over 50 years of experience - 37 years full-time in two of Chicago's largest Presbyterian Churchs, First Presbyterian Church of Deerfield and First Presbyterian Church of Arlington Heights, where he retired in 2008. He is a graduate of Moody Bible Institute, Trinity College, Deerfield, and Northwestern University with degrees in organ, church music and choral conducting. Lee is currently on the faculty of North Park University where he has served for over 25 years as University Organist and teacher of organ. He has studied organ with Dr. Robert Rayfield, Lillian Robinson, Dr. Robert Lodine and Dr. Paul Manz, and conducting with Robert Carbaugh, Paul Aliapoulios and John Paynter. He has three adult children.
Keith earned his Masters degree in organ performance at the University of Michigan and his DMA degree in organ performance and literature at the Eastman School of Music. Before joining the staff at Southminster, Keith was organist at First United Methodist Church, Santa Barbara; Trinity Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Rochester, NY; and Christ Episcopal Church in Dearborn, MI. For many years Keith's principal career has been in technology. He is currently an implementations manager for a voice automation company in Schaumburg. Previous employers include General Motors, A.C. Nielsen and Bank One. A native of Morrilton, AR, Keith and his wife, Julie, were married at Southminster in 1994, and live in Fox River Grove.
Tricia attended the University of Florida and Florida Atlantic University where she studied Elementary Education and Early Childhood Education. Before coming to Southminster in 1998, Tricia worked in many capacities as a pre-school teacher and Assistant Director in the Arlington Heights area. Tricia became director of Wee Care and Share/ Parents' Day Out program in 2001. She also teaches the 4-5 year old class. Tricia is married with three daughters.
Diane joined the Southminster staff in May 2006. For many people, Diane represents the first friendly face they encounter at Southminster. She handles a number of diverse tasks, and helps the day-to-day operations of the church run smoothly. Diane came to Southminster after a career as a buyer at Sears, from which she took an early retirement. She is married to Wayne, has two adult sons and four grandchildren.
Chris joined the team at Southminster as the contemporary worship service accompanist in January of 2010. Originally from Ohio, Chris holds a B.M. degree in piano performance from The University of Toledo and a M.M. degree in music theory from Ball State University. As a graduate assistant Chris served as an accompanist, music director, teacher, vocal coach, and conductor for the musical theater department at BSU. In addition to his work at Southminster, Chris also runs a private piano and voice studio from his home in Lakeview, and works as a freelance artist all over the Chicagoland area.
Kathy has had a relationship with Southminster for over 30 years, and was ordained here in 1983. As a Parish Associate Kathy serves in an advisory capacity, sometimes assisting in worship, teaching, or preaching. Kathy has served as a pastor in Tokyo, Japan, in Palatine and Wilmette, IL, and on the staff of McCormick Theological Seminary, and the Presbytery of Chicago. She has earned both Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry degrees from McCormick where she is also an academic advisor and trustee. Currently Kathy is serving in the PCUSA in the leadership of Israel-Palestine Mission Network and on the Middle East Caucus. Kathy and her husband Aki have three grown children.
Fred is a licensed clinical psychologist and has provided individual, couple, and family therapy for over 30 years. He received his doctorate of psychology degree at the Illinois School of Professional Psychology and his theological education at the University of Chicago Divinity School. Fred is a widower and the father of two sons.
Judith Hylton is a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Illinois and a National Board Certified Counselor (NBCC). She has a Masters degree in Education (M.Ed) from Kent State University and a Masters in Counseling with emphasis in family therapy from Geneva College in Pennsylvania. She has extensive experience working with families,couples,individuals,adolescents and children. She is also a retreat and workshop speaker. She has been a pastor's wife for twenty eight years and works along side her husband Rev. Dr. Ray Hylton. She has three children.
Deborah is a licensed clinical psychologist with a doctorate in clinical psychology from Northwestern University. She has provided individual and couples therapy for over thirty years. She also has provided clinical supervision of graduate students in Counseling Psychology for thirty years. She is married to Ron, an orthopedic surgeon, and has three sons and eight grandsons.
