Joy! Staff & Council
Joy! Staff |
Joy! runs on the steam and love of lots of great people. Below are the staff members and their bios. Each of them would be more than happy to help answer any questions about their specific area and beyond. We’d recommend Jenelle for any and all Trivial Pursuit questions.
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Mark Borgetti - Lead Pastor
I am former Catholic who went to a Baptist seminary to be a Lutheran pastor. In the past 25 years I went from programmer (software developer) to pastor (spiritual developer). Much longer story! Here’s the short story: I have a wonderful wife, twin daughters, and a son. They take after their mother, therefore they are amazing. I love to fish. I love the TV shows The Walking Dead and the Big Bang Theory. But most of all, I love to hang out with people; get to know their story, share my story, and tell them all about God’s story. Let’s meet at Starbucks or Panera and I can tell you the whole story. My treat! Seriously! mark.borgetti@joylutheran.org |
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Jenelle Ancona Relational Ministries Coordinator
I'm a local girl who grew up in Waukegan. I graduated with a social work degree from Iowa State University. I have 2 active boys who are growing up way too fast and now at UW-Whitewater. I love cheering on my boys as well as any and all Chicago sports teams (minus the Sox)- Go Cubs!! :) I came on staff at Joy! about 9 years ago as a part time champion for small groups and was overjoyed to expand my role a few years ago to everything relational from connections to hospitality, and small groups to special events. I have a passion for people feeling a sense of belonging and acceptance because once I found that myself here I truly began to experience and embrace God. :) jenelle.ancona@joylutheran.org |
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Colin Cranmer - Director of Youth Ministry
I have had the privilege of working with the middle and high school students of Joy! and the families that love them for over seven years. I oversee our Crossroads and AtF youth ministries and their teams, Confirmation, engage in holy sandwich ministry (Need to talk? I'll buy you a sandwich!), and maintain the care and connection of all our families with middle schoolers and up. If your student needs a safe spot to hang out, be themselves, and learn more about the God that loves them, then Joy!'s student ministries would love to welcome you. I have my degree in Adolescent Studies and Social Work and spent ten years leading a youth center for kids targeted by gang recruition before moving into youth and family work for the past twelve+ years. Going on almost 12 years of marriage to my beautiful wife Shay, and ten years of terrible dad jokes to eager recipients, Ena and Dessa. Please reach out if you are curious about Student Ministries, Confirmation, or are looking for care help as we maintain a wide list of therapeutic resources in the Lake County Area for all family needs. colinseancranmer@gmail.com cell 224-622-8819 |
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Cheryl O'Neill - Children & Family Ministry Director
I have been married for more than 30 years to Pat and we have 3 grown children, Billy, Maggie, and Kelly. I have served in Children’s Ministry for more than 20 years since we moved to Gurnee. I have been truly blessed to be a part of such a loving community that love and support children. My passion is watching children grow up learning about the love of Jesus and watching our youth and adult volunteers grow in their faith journey. My favorite time of the week is cooking Sunday night dinners for my family, their friends and my niece, nephews, great nephews & great niece. I enjoy game nights and playing bags with family and friends. cheryl.oneill@joylutheran.org |
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Laura Kline - Director of Worship Arts
Working in a church was never my career ambition but I’m so glad God led me to Joy! I’m a life long musician and feel blessed to be able to work with so many amazing and talented people at Joy in the area of Worship Arts. With their encouragement, I’m also working on a Master of Divinity Degree at Trinity University. I’m married to Jay and have three kids, Alyssa, Andrew, and Leah. When I get spare time I like to travel, read, exercise, and spend time with friends. laura.kline@joylutheran.org |
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Jennifer Marvin - Choir Director & Asst. Worship Arts Director
Shout with joy to the Lord, all the earth! Worship the Lord with gladness. Psalm 100:1-2 I’ve been doing ministry at Joy for most of my adult life (the past 18 years). In my current role, I serve as the choir director and assistant worship arts director. One of the blessings of my job is that I get to help people experience God’s presence through all types of worship and I get to work with a bunch of awesome volunteers who have hearts for creating life transforming worship. When I’m not at Joy, I am an orchestra teacher in Kenosha. I enjoy traveling, scrapbooking and of course almost all things music related. jen.marvin@joylutheran.org |
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Sue Gearica - Financial Manager
I joined the staff at Joy! in Spring '12 as the numbers gal. I have been married to Joe for 34 years and we have 7 children (hint: 3 daughters are married), and 2 grandchildren. I love to spend time with my family, decorate, shop, sew, and scrapbook. A member of Joy! for over 10 years, I love being a part of this community and treasure the friendships I have made. My faith grows deeper each year as I learn how God is there working in our lives. Through Him all things are possible....Matthew 19:26 : ) sue.gearica@joylutheran.org |
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Jori Maguire - Administrative Assistant
Jori has been a member of Joy! since the late 1990's along with her husband, Tim (he's the tall guy who sings!) and her young adult children, Riley and Margaret. After volunteering in various ministries, Jori earned her culinary degree, worked in several nonprofit organizations and then completed her bachelor's degree in Non Profit Management at North Park University in Chicago. She's very proud to have graduated magna cum laude and was the oldest person in her major at graduation! Jori loves Joy! and jumped at the chance to be a part of the staff. If you are at church on a weekday, stop by and say hello! jori.maguire@joylutheran.org |
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Dave Pilkington - Media Team Director
I'm a worship junkie who loves doing all things creative for the glory of God. I'm a musician, tech geek, graphic and video artist, and I love planning crazy but reverent stuff for worship. I enjoy woodworking. In my daytime job I'm a computer programmer. Along with my wonderful wife Lisa and two sons, I love visiting national parks, eating at restaurants featured on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives, and watching Dr. Who. I can also quote large swathes of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy and Monty Python and the Holy Grail; because of this, I'm pretty sure I need professional help. david.pilkington@joylutheran.org |
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Kevin Belles, Audio/Visual Coordinator
My “day job” is engineering project management, but I secretly have always been some what of an audiophile! I currently have probably more amplification (and speakers) in my basement than Joy! has in the worship center. I always have had a passion to continually improve the audio and video to allow more deep and meaningful worship at Joy! On a little more personal note, my wife, Linda and I have been married a REALLY long time and have been blessed with 3 incredible kids. I am one of two (a twin), one of 12 (yes, 5 brothers and 6 sisters) and grew up on a small farm in central Indiana ~ still consider myself a transplanted Hoosier! Oh yeah, did I mention I grew up Catholic? I love running and hanging out with the teens @ AtF plus playing on the worship team. kevin.belles@joylutheran.org |
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Mary Jo Thorson - Congregation Care Team
Mary Jo will partner with Pastor Mark and Jenelle Ancona working to ensure Joy's congregation is cared for in difficult and trying times. Mary Jo has more than ten years’ experience in leading divorce recovery groups. One year leading a single mom’s group. Completed first year of Masters in Mental Health Counseling. Author of divorce recovery book, Recovering from Divorce, Finding Peace & Happiness. Mary Jo is a wonderful addition to our team. maryjo.thorson@joylutheran.org |
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Kelly Ellison - Nursery Coordinator Kelly was Baptized and raised attending Joy! She went through the children and youth programs herself and for 12 years has been sharing God’s love at Joy! as a volunteer for Kids Adventure Klub and Vacation Bible School. She recently accepted leadership positions as a Preschool Coordinator for both KAK and VBS. In May of 2016, she graduated from Southern Illinois University Carbondale with a double major in English and Speech Communication. She’s currently working at Abbott Laboratories in HR at the DesPlaines office. As Kelly continues to strengthen her relationship with God she is very excited to continue working with His children through the Joy! nursery. kelly.ellison@joylutheran.org |
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Ellie Jensen - Nursery Staff
Ellie attended Joy as a child and went through the children and youth programs! Ellie has been serving and working with kids at Joy since she was in sixth grade. She is currently a Kids Adventure Klub teacher, AtF high school youth group leader, and a member of the Children’s Ministry team. In May of 2016, she graduated from Illinois State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education. Ellie is currently a first grade teacher in Zion. Ellie is very excited to get to know you and your children in the nursery and continue to strengthen her faith. ellie.jensen@joylutheran.org Maggie O'Neill - Nursery Staff Maggie O’Neill grew up at Joy! She attended Kids’ Adventure Klub, Vacation Bible School and participated in Youth Ministry. Maggie has grown in her love for Jesus by teaching Kids’ Adventure Klub and Vacation Bible School since middle school. She has also taken the next step in leadership on both the Children’s Ministry Team and the Vacation Bible School Team helping to coordinate and execute preschool activities. She is a mother of a 9-month-old son, Gavin, and works full time at GFX International as an Account Manager for Panera. Maggie is excited to get to know the parents and children God brings through the nursery doors! |
