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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Laura Kline
Associate Pastor of Worship & Care Music has always been an important part of my life. I went to college to become a music teacher, taught for 20 years, and then God led me on a journey to become a pastor later in life, proving God is full of surprises. I oversee worship at Joy! and our congregational care ministry so I get to use my passions of music and taking care of people at this amazing church. I’m married to Jay and we have three kids still on our payroll - Ally, Andrew, and Leah. In my spare time, I like to spend time with friends and family, travel, read, and listen to live music. I’m also a big fan of games so invite me over to your next game night! laura.kline@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 both graduated from UW-Whitewater and are becoming awesome young men. I love cheering them on as well as any and all Chicago sports teams (minus the Sox)- Go Cubs!! :) I came on staff at Joy! about 10 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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Nick Nalley
Director of Youth Ministry I’m a husband, proud puppy parent, & a nerdy kid at-heart who was born & raised in McHenry, IL - married to my incredible other half, Holly, since December 2019. We felt God calling us towards Joy! in the spring of 2020, & we’re amazed at how perfect of a fit God had in mind for us with our new church home! One of my greatest joys is seeing students step into becoming a fuller version of who God has designed them to be, & reminding people that they, too, have a voice that’s worth being heard. I have a passion for bridging people together & finding ways to help others feel welcomed, heard, & known. I love hosting friends or family over for get-togethers, taking road trips, & I’m a huge concert junkie. I’m also a proud forever Redbird, as I attended Illinois State in Normal, IL. I’m a nerd for Nintendo, Apple, cameras, video editing, & some card games / board games. Don’t be afraid to say hello- I’ll be happy to get to meet you! - nick.nalley@joylutheran.org |
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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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Jennifer Marvin
Choir Director & Assistant 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 2012 as the numbers gal. I have been married to my husband, Joe, for almost 42 years. We have 7 grandchildren ages 1 1/2 to 10 who bring smiles to our face everyday. I love to spend time with my family, decorate our home, shop, and bake. A member of Joy! for over 18 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 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 mostly 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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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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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 |
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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! |
