Conversations

Gail Simone
Gail Simone has been with Spring Branch since day one 15 years ago. The church continues to be committed to integrating the arts and being a place for artists to serve. She is currently the Creative Arts Director leading a team of very gifted artists and oversees the area of technical arts. She contributes to the worship services serving as Producer and is the Lighting Designer for Spring Branch. She has studied at Fordham University in the Master Lighting Design Classes and believes God uses the art of lighting to set the stage for His creative work

Dave Cooke
Dave Cooke is the chief video engineer for Willow Creek, and has been on staff at Willow in video and production since 1990. Dave started doing production in youth ministry way back in 1978 in California. He has worked professionally in video production in Los Angeles and Chicago, but has devoted himself to using his gifts in the production ministry. Dave currently serves alongside system engineers on the Willow production staff and oversees the many technical projects that Willow develops. Most notably, Dave was the point leader in the design of the video system installed in Willow's new 7200 seat auditorium. The video system design at Willow is very complex, but Dave and his team of engineers keep it running smooth for every service and event on the Willow campuses. Dave has also has designed a number of other smaller video venues for other Willow venues and other churches. He enjoys the challenge of keeping up with the ever-changing technology in the video industry and applying this to the needs of Willow's current and future technology needs. Greg Dolezal is a partner in Renewed Vision, a software development and production company in Atlanta. Renewed Vision develops cutting edge video software for the church market. Greg also serves as the Tour Manager for Chris Tomlin, most recently on the How Great is Our God Tour with Louie Giglio and Matt Redman. Formerly on staff at North Point Community Church in Atlanta, Greg has also been involved in video production for the Catalyst Conference, Passion Conferences, Grow Up Conference, and Drive Conference.

Greg Dolezal
Greg Dolezal is a partner in Renewed Vision, a software development and production company in Atlanta. Renewed Vision develops cutting edge video software for the church market. Greg also serves as the Tour Manager for Chris Tomlin, most recently on the How Great is Our God Tour with Louie Giglio and Matt Redman. Formerly on staff at North Point Community Church in Atlanta, Greg has also been involved in video production for the Catalyst Conference, Passion Conferences, Grow Up Conference, and Drive Conference.

Julie Chappel
Julie Chappel began attending Willow Creek when she was invited by a fellow employee to the 1995 Thanksgiving service, which by the way was also her second date with the man who would eventually become her husband. In 2001 Willow's first regional site opened in Wheaton and Julie began volunteering 20 hours a week in the area of Programming and Production. After a 16 year career in Meeting and Event Planning, she joined the Wheaton team as Director of Programming. In 2004 Julie transitioned to the Barrington campus where she now serves as a Senior Producer. Julie is originally from St. Louis, Missouri and now resides in Lisle, Illinois with her husband Tim.

Joel Johns
Joel is the Programming & Production Director and Worship Leader for the services at the McHenry County campus. Joel has and energetic and passionate style of worship coupled with a deep desire to continually seek culturally relevant methods to reach people far from God. Joel's heart for God, unique gifting, and deep desire to be an active participant in Kingdom work on Earth have impacted young and old alike and have been instrumental in the continued growth at Willow Creek McHenry County.

He graduated from Baylor University in 2000 with a degree in Religion. In June of 2005, Joel, and his wife, Tiffany Ann, journeyed from the great state of Texas, to northern Illinois to join the regional team at Willow Creek McHenry County as Worship Leader. In August, 2006, the Johns' family expanded with the addition of son, Christian. Joel brings with him and amazing heart for worship and 15 years of prior experience.

Kim Do
Kim Do has worked as a Producer for Willow Creek's weekend programming team since April 2007. Her previous career experience includes marketing, advertising sales and church administration. Over the last ten years, Kim has led and participated in various volunteer activities that have expressed art in the church through music, dance and drama; she is passionate about facilitating the use of the arts to carry the message of Christ.

Monty Kelso
Monty Kelso has excelled internationally at both directing creative church communications, and leading and designing worship and programming. A well-known and widely-admired Worship Leader at Coast Hills Community Church in Aliso Viejo, Calif., for many years, Monty possesses a combination of talents and skills as a Worship consultant, coach and mentor that are uncommon. Under his guidance, Coast Hills and many other churches have attained new levels of relevancy in their creative arts ministries, and have earned reputations for being highly culturally engaged within their communities.

In recent years, Monty has served as a clinician and consultant to numerous Worship and Arts conferences and entities, including the Christian Artists Seminar in the Rockies, Willow Creek Association, Christian Associates International, Campus Crusade, the Jesus Film project, Continental Ministries, Hope International University and National Outreach, Inc. From 1990 to 2002, he also worked as a worship leader and consultant for Maranatha! Music's worship leader workshops. He currently serves on the board of directors for The Grove Center For the Arts and Media: www.thegrovecenter.org and Worship Mentor Network: www.worshipmentor.com.

Dave Cimo
Dave has been attending Willow Creek since 1985. Dave draws on 30 years of experience in the area of business leadership & development. He has played key roles in ministry development. Dave served in Promiseland, the church's children's ministry, for over 19 years. He was part of the team who wrote the strategic plan that launched the 1998 Promiseland movement. In October 2004, he joined the Willow staff as the Associate Director of Programming & Production.

Brandon Grissom
Brandon Grissom is a really tall, slightly clumsy singer/songwriter from the northwest suburbs of Chicago. Raised in the dusty backwoods of Oklahoma, he relocated to chi-town from Oklahoma City in the spring of 2003. He leads worship regularly at Elevate, Willow Creek Community Church's ministry to middle school. Brandon also leads worship at Willow's regional campus as well as various conferences, camps, churches, and events around the country.

Ben Fowler
Ben Fowler is the Creatives' Pastor at Mosaic Seattle. He has served in a variety of church environments as a volunteer and as paid staff. His ultimate desire for worship experiences is that they would lift people into God's presence, connect them with their brokenness, and allow them to respond in worship-not just with their voice but with their life. He finds great joy in nurturing an environment where artists can grow in their craft and their character. He has played professionally in symphony orchestras, rock bands, and jazz bands. Ben has been a part of numerous recording projects including sound tracks for video games and independent films. He is currently a part of Urban Hymnal, a group of musicians and artists who create one-time worship installations in the hope of creating space - space to respond and receive instead of merely consume. Ben lives in Seattle with his beautiful family. His wife, Sarah and daughters, Aria and Karis.

Bob Gerard
Bob Gerard is the Worship Associate for Creative Communications at First Baptist Church of Geneva, Illinois, where he facilitates the programming team and leads the drama and media ministries. He also directs the Center for Learning Innovation for Accenture, where he has trained hundreds of business consultants around the world in time management techniques. Bob lives in picture-perfect Geneva, Illinois, with his wife Sherri, two boys, a cat, and a guest room that you're welcome to use.

Steve Young
Steve Young is the Director of Creative Arts at Renaissance Church in Summit, NJ. Renaissance is an exciting, fast-growing, church plant in the suburbs of New York City that primarily consists of Wall Street professionals, Broadway actors, and studio musicians. As a church leader, he has served on both coasts, in a variety of church settings--including one church of over 5000, and two start-up churches – one with only a dozen people at its inception. As a musician, he has performed and recorded with internationally known recording artists, and remains active as a producer, keyboard player, and arranger in the NYC area. He is also the founder of Arts Impact, a creative coaching ministry that serves churches and other creative organizations in the area of worship and the arts.

Greg Wallace
Greg Wallace is Director of Music and Production at the DuPage Campus of Willow Creek Community Church in suburban Chicago. Greg provides oversight to the worship teams and production crews, as well being involved in the brainstorming and planning of worship services, creation of graphics and video and anything else needed to make the service "go." Greg also enjoys writing, consulting and speaking, and has over 20 years experience as a bass player, guitarist and worship leader.

Tiley Frost
Tiley M. Frost is an international artist, designer, and successful business owner who helped pioneer the Visual Arts Ministry at Willow Creek over six years ago. Today she serves as director of the ministry and works to create a place where artists are encouraged to reflect God's love with their gifts and abilities. The Visual Arts Ministry supports many other ministries within Willow Creek and the Willow Creek Association, including Programming, Production, Communication Arts, and Global Connections.

Julie Arnold
Julie has been the Service Programming Director at North Point Community Church since the church began in 1995. She currently oversees the music, production, hospitality and media teams. The church has over 10,000 attendees each Sunday. Julie has received her BFA from University of Georgia in acting and directing which has served her well in creating the live worship experience. She has been married to Edsel for 25 years and they have three children they have adopted from Vietnam, Cole – 9 years, Eleanor and Lillian – 6 years.

Shauna Niequist
Shauna Niequist lives in Grand Rapids, Michigan, with her husband Aaron, who is a worship leader, and their son Henry. She grew up at Willow Creek, then studied English and French literature at Westmont College, in Santa Barbara, California. She worked in Student Ministry at Willow Creek for five years and as the Creative Director at Mars Hill for three years.

Shauna's first book, Cold Tangerines, is a collection of essays about the extraordinary moments in our everyday lives. Her very favorite things are throwing dinner parties, taking full advantage of Michigan summers, and reading great books.

Meg Tomko
Meg is the Program Director for Orchard Hill Church, an interdenominational church located in the suburbs of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. While serving as a vocalist on the Orchard Hill Music Team for 12 years, her career background was in the medical field as an Administrative Director of Laboratory Services. In 2001, Meg was privileged to join the church staff and combine a passion for the arts with her management experience to direct the organization, planning and production of the worship services. Meg is also responsible overseeing church communication, publications, and website.

Derek Leonidoff
Currently on staff as a Guest Artist at Regent University, Derek also serves as a Drama Director and writer for Spring Branch Community Church, both in his home town, Virginia Beach, Virginia. A native of Virginia Beach, Virginia, Derek Leonidoff recently returned home from Los Angeles, California, where he was working as an actor and writer. Recent credits include the father, "Bob Belmont" on The Knock Knock Show for CBN films (which can currently be seen on TBN,) the starring role of "Ron Fervent" in the hit independent film, Moving, and the coveted role of "the Donut Kid" in the Walt Disney production First Kid with Sinbad. Derek is also a veteran of dozens of national and regional commercials, and he has performed in over one-hundred industrial films. His extensive theatrical credits include "Albert Peterson" in Bye Bye Birdie, Christmas Carol and Nicholas Nickerby (national tours,) and last summer he was seen portraying multiple characters in the in the one-man show, The Wreck of the Dictator.

A life long student of improvisation, Derek is a graduate of The Groundlings Improv Comedy School, The Improv Olympic Training Center, and the famed Second City Conservatory.

Currently on staff as a Guest Artist at Regent University, Derek also serves as a Drama Director and writer for Spring Branch Community Church, both in his home town, Virginia Beach, Virginia.

Sandy Johnson
Sandy Johnson is a freelance consultant in the area of programming and leading artists in the church. With undergraduate degrees in Bible and English, she is currently pursing a Masters of Ministry degree at Moody Bible Institute. Her passions include building healthy artistic teams as well as pioneering and forming strategy for transformational creative arts ministry. Sandy, her husband James and their two children live in Crystal Lake, IL.

Lisa Brewer
Over the past 17 years Lisa has worked with vocalist in a variety of capacities. She has served as a private coach, teacher, rehearsal leader, and mentor. Lisa currently serves as Vocal Director for Willow Creek Community Church. Her past experience includes Vocal Director at Kensington Community Church in Troy Michigan, and in 3 separate organizations she has served as Performing Arts Director. Lisa feels deeply passionate about helping others develop and protect their God given talent.

Francis Wyatt
Francis Wyatt has more than 20 years experience in leading ensembles, inside and outside church walls. Educated as a jazz drummer and composer, he has had the honor of playing with jazz greats like Joe Henderson, Michael Brecker, Arturo Sandoval and many others. Before coming to Willow Creek Chicago in June 2006, Francis was the Worship Leader and Music Director at Ginghamsburg United Methodist Church in Tipp City, Ohio.

He has been married to Cheryl since 1990 and they live in Evergreen Park, Illinois, with their two children, April and Brandon. Francis also leads the music program at Chicago Hope Academy, a private Christian High School in Chicago. Francis has a passion for sharing music excellence through education and mentorship. His commitment to "diversity through the arts" is a great fit for the inner-city ministry of downtown Chicago.

Suze Fair
Suze is the Director of Expression & Communication at Fellowship Missionary Church. This role includes a whole variety of duties! Including leading the team that plans and implements Sunday morning gatherings, hosting & teaching on Sunday mornings, leading the Communication team and coordinating major event planning. Fellowship is a 25 year old community that is working hard to follow a relatively new (past 5 years) "divine directive" to become more like the Antioch church – focusing primarily on becoming both multi-cultural & multi-generational while casting a vision of living out of a missional mindset for our community.

Mark Nelson
After teaching HS instrumental music for 8 years, Mark helped start Kensington Community Church in Troy MI as the Programming Director in 1990. He is currently Director of the Arts and in addition to overseeing the Arts for Kensington’s 4 Campuses, Director of the Kensington School of the Arts and serves as a member of Kensington’s Management Team.

Mark is married to Callie who serves as Vocal Director and is one of our Service Directors. They have 5 children. Jordin 20, Lindi 18, Kenny 15, Davey 10, and their newly adopted daughter Hope 6.

Mike Harris
Mike Harris is Founder and President of WaveMaker Ministries, a worship leading, teaching, coaching and consulting ministry. With over thirty years experience as a Worship Arts Pastor, Minister of Music, Missionary, Christian artist and leader, Mike is uniquely qualified to serve leaders, churches, artists and ministries by helping them realize their full potential in worship and the arts. Serving in churches of 150 to 9,000 he has experienced firsthand the opportunities and challenges at every phase of the journey. He has led Worship Arts Ministries in denominational, as well as, interdenominational settings and is fluent in a variety of “liturgical languages” and practices. God has also used Mike’s talents and leadership skills internationally, serving as music and program director for events with participants from over 100 countries.

Mike has helped numerous churches experience the person, power, presence and purposes of God in worship through leading dynamic worship services and transformational lifestyle worship seminars. He has helped church leaders discover and clarify their vision for worship, ignite a passion for worship, and develop strategies and master plans for worship arts ministry. He has helped several churches through the turbulent waters of transition through coaching, consulting and leadership. He has helped to build the profiles and job descriptions for worship arts leaders, programming and worship arts ministry teams and in some cases made recommendations for leaders and helped with the search process. He has encouraged, coached and mentored worship leaders and worship arts ministry teams as well as senior pastors, elder boards and other ministry leaders to greater joy, effectiveness and fruitfulness in life and ministry.

Mike's ministry experience includes 10 years of service as Worship Arts Pastor at Woodmen Valley Chapel in Colorado Springs. During his tenure the church grew from 1200 to over 6,000 with multiple worship teams, bands, special events and multisite venues. Prior to that, he served as the Worship and Fine Arts Pastor of Trinity Church in Lubbock Texas for 10 Years. During this season of ministry the church grew from 2500 to 9,000 with multiple worship teams, bands, orchestra and special events. Mike also spent 5 years in missions with Youth With a Mission, serving as music director and North American Coordinator for King’s Kids International, ICS principal and instructor and base worship leader.

Mike is married to Brenda, his wife and sweetheart of 27 years. Brenda is an excellent wife, mother, homemaker, worship leader and Curves Fitness Center owner. Mike and Brenda have four children: Angela Gayfield, 27, Rebecca Parton, 25, Michael David, 17, Jeoffrey, 14, and one grandchild, Alexis Gayfield, 5. They love to hike, drive and ski in the mountains of Colorado. The whole family enjoys music, drama, movies and "special adventures".