Who We Are
We are a church that’s excited about making disciples of Jesus Christ, and we take our direction from Matthew 4:19. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of people.” God loves every person, no matter their story, and we passionately believe that the Gospel of Jesus Christ changes lives, heals families, and transforms communities.
We define a disciple as someone who is following Jesus, being changed by Jesus, and committed to the mission of Jesus. As a church, we want every person who is part of CTR to live The Intentional Life as a follower of Jesus, investing time:
- daily with God in prayer and Bible study
- weekly as we gather to worship and learn in community with our church family
- consistently in a small group, a temporary care/support/healing group for a time, and a Discipleship Group for the long-term
- continually as we go, living on mission with Him, serving, giving and making disciples.
History | Over 40 years ago, a handful of young adults began reaching out on the streets and in bars in the Fox Valley to tell people about the God who loves them deeply. The street outreach led to a crisis hotline, and a growing number of people became new followers of Jesus. As they began pursuing healing and growth in Christ, many were unable to find church communities where they felt accepted. They began gathering weekly at Riverside Chapel and eventually became Christ The Rock Community Church. Our heart remains the same as it was in those first days! We want to share God’s story of love and redemption, and make disciples who make more disciples of Jesus Christ.
What Makes CTR Unique | We are passionate about making disciples of Jesus. In keeping with our beginnings, the way we do that includes being a warm and welcoming place for all people, and helping them grow as disciples of Jesus Christ. Whether you are parents doing your best to raise kids to know and love Jesus, a single person who desires to live for Christ, someone battling an addiction, or a survivor of abuse or trauma – God knows you, sees you, and loves you.
Statement of Faith
Leadership
We believe in transparency and accountability in church leadership, and we have a shared leadership model. Our Elder Board provides doctrinal guidance and annual direction. Our Senior Leadership Team leads our pastors, staff, and volunteer ministry leaders as they carry out our vision and mission, with the Elders’ guidance.
Senior Leadership Team
(back row, left to right) Cortney Ascher, Discipleship Director; Pastor Joel Zeiner, Lead Pastor; Pastor Ben Korinek, Creative Arts Team Leader; Lynne Paba, Support Team Leader
(front row, left to right) Pastor Deb Richards, Restore Team Leader; Pastor Micah Neely, Reach Team Leader
Elders
Staff Pastors
Non-Staff Pastors
In addition to our staff pastors, Christ The Rock has ordained people who have shepherded people well over time, in a variety of settings:
Reach Team
Pastor Micah Neely – Reach Team Leader
Dawn Foat – Reach Coordinator
Discipleship Lead Team
Cortney Ascher – Discipleship Director
Pastor Kris Schneider – Connections Pastor
Children's Ministry Team
Jamie Lane – Family Ministry Director
Theresa Goyette – Late Childhood Coordinator
Jen Reetz – Early Childhood Coordinator
Elle Klein – Children’s Ministry Administrative Assistant
Student Ministries Team
Tom Potter – Student Ministries Director; NarrowPath (high school) Leader
Brad Creighton – Amped (middle school) Coordinator
Sara Steinbrink – Student Ministries Administrative Assistant
Weekend Services Team
Pastor Ben Korinek – Weekend Services Director, Teaching Pastor
Pastor Marcus Gresham – Worship Pastor
Nancy Leschke – Livestream/Communications Coordinator
Megan Ekholm – Administrative Support
Restore Team
Pastor Deb Richards – Restore Team Leader, Staff Coach
Jerilyn Hidden – Restore Team Administrator
Pastor Kevin Kelly – First Response Care Pastor, Staff Coach
Pastor Peter Leschke – Restore Team Pastor
Support Team
Lynne Paba – Support Team Leader, Staff Coach
Drew Baum – Maintenance
Monica Betters – Maintenance Administrative Assistant
Nancy Leschke – Communications Coordinator
Ann Meyers – Volunteer Coordinator and Database Management
Kathy Scherer – Fireside Café Manager
Dustin Ott – Building & Grounds Coordinator
John Reider – Maintenance Coordinator
Sharon Wiedenhaupt – Bookkeeper
Julie Wilson – Administrative Assistant and Reception Coordinator
Melissa Zwach – Human Resources Assistant
Ministries & Staff Contacts | Alphabetical by Ministry Name
Amped (Middle school) – Brad Creighton
Baptisms – Megan Ekholm
Benevolence – Pastor Kevin Kelly
BreakOut (grades 3-5) – Jen Reetz
Building & Grounds – Dustin Ott
Building Maintenance – John Reider
Care & Support Groups – Jerilyn Hidden
Celebrate Recovery – Pastor Kevin Kelly
Character Development Class – Jerilyn Hidden
Child Dedications – Jen Reetz
Children’s Ministry – Theresa Goyette
Communications – Nancy Leschke
Counseling – Jerilyn Hidden
Crossing (Young adults) – Pastor Kris Schneider
Discipleship Groups – Cortney Ascher
Finances – Sharon Wiedenhaupt
Fireside Cafe –Kathy Scherer
Food Pantry – Pastor Micah Neely
Freedom Fighters for Men – Pastor Peter Leschke
Funerals – Pastor Kevin Kelly
Guest Services – Pastor Kris Schneider
Hospital Visitation – Pastor Kevin Kelly
Ignite (Children’s worship) – Theresa Goyette
Journey Groups – Jerilyn Hidden
Local Outreach – Pastor Micah Neely
Membership – Cortney Ascher
Men’s Ministry (Men of The Rock) – Pastor Kris Schneider
Mission Trips – Pastor Micah Neely
Prayer Intercessors – Open
Premarital Class – Megan Ekholm
Recovery Groups – Pastor Kevin Kelly
Small Groups – Cortney Ascher
Student Ministries (high school) – Tom Potter
Student Ministries (middle school) – Brad Creighton
Teaching Pastor – Pastor Ben Korinek
Volunteering – Ann Meyers
Weddings –Megan Ekholm
Weekend Services – Pastor Ben Korinek
Women’s Ministry (Women of The Rock) – Pastor Kris Schneider
Worship Ministry – Pastor Marcus Gresham