Erik Gauss

Graduated from/Education: Graduated in 1999 from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor with a B.S. degree in Biology

-Received his Master of Divinity, from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis in 2003

Family Info: Married his awesome bride Alicia (Stueber) in 2000

Former Work Places: Served 3 years as Associate Pastor – St. John in Darien, IL – where he initiated and oversaw small group ministries

Year starting at Cross: Joined Cross staff in September 2006

Extra Info: In 2024 launched Whiskey Shepherds. The official podcast of Whiskey and the Word can be followed on https://www.patreon.com/whiskeyshepherds

-Podcast is also available through Spotify or Apple podcasts.

One of your favorite Bible verses:

“In Jesus, We do not have a high priest (or God/Savior) who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but rather, we have one who has been tempted in every way just as we are yet was without sin.” Hebrews 4:15

Matt Conrad

Graduated from/Education: Graduated from University of Michigan in 2000 with a B.A. degree in Anthropology.

-Attended Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, and graduated with Masters of Divinity in 2005.

Family Info: Married Danelle in 2003, right before their vicarage at Peace Lutheran Church in Arvada, CO.

-Have three great children: Nathan (born 2007), Myanna (born 2010) and Isaiah (born 2013)

Former Work Places: Served 3.5 years as Associate Pastor at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Gretna, NE. Was in charge of discipleship and assimilation.

-In 2009 serve as Sole Pastor to St. Paul Lutheran Church in Skokie, IL.

Year starting at Cross: Joined Cross Staff in July 2015 as Pastor of Human Care and Missions. Transitioned to a new role as Pastor of Discipleship in the summer of 2023.

Extra Info: Loves arcade games and pinball, cooking (especially using his Chinese wok), LEGO and Star Wars!

One of your favorite Bible verses: “He confessed, and did not deny, but confessed, “I am not the Christ.” John 1:20

-Let Jesus do the work that Jesus promises to do. We, like John the Baptizer, simply point others to Jesus – the Way, the Truth, and the Life. May our words and actions direct others to know their Savior and find true life in Him.

Nathan Fisher

Graduated from/Education: Graduated in 2003 from the University of Illinois at Springfield with a B.A. in Liberal Arts

Family Info: Married to Jessi (Fleck) in 1999 and have three children.

Former Work Places: Served 3 years at Sanctuary Manhattan – mission plant congregation in Manhattan, IL.

-Worked for 11 years in sales and financial services before moving into full-time ministry in 2009.

Year starting at Cross: Joined Cross staff in July 2012

Extra Info:  Avid hiker, Harley rider, and fisherman.

-In 2022 began performing again as a solo acoustic musician.

One of your favorite Bible verses:

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” Ephesians 6:10-12

Shanin Loesche

Family Info: My husband and I joined Cross in 2018. I am a blessed mother, and grandmother of two.

Year starting at Cross: Joined Cross staff in August 2024

Extra Info:  In my free time, I enjoy running.

One of your favorite Bible verses: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge him and he will make straight your paths.”

Proverbs 3:5-6

Katie Bivins

Graduated from/Education: Associate’s in Accounting from Waubonsee Community College

Family Info: I’m married to Mike and between us we have four grown children and a granddaughter.

Former Work Places: Spent time raising our kids and working in Accounting.

Year starting at Cross: Joined Cross Staff at Caring Hands Thrift Shop in 2015, moved up to Assistant Manager, then started Caring Hands Thrift Shop Manager position in June 2024.

Extra Info: Outside of work, I spend time traveling to see family in Wisconsin and our son and granddaughter in Tennessee. I love being outdoors gardening, hiking, and playing with our two German Shepherds, Ginger and Stanley.

One of your favorite Bible verses:

“‘Come now, let us settle the matter,’ says the Lord. ‘Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.’” Isaiah 1:18

Pam Hahn

Graduated from/Education: Graduated in 1985 from Delta University, Bay City MI with an Associates in Business.

-Received a Bachelor’s degree in 1988 from Concordia University, Ann Arbor, MI in Secondary Education.

Family Info: Married to Jeff Hahn in 1990, have 3 married children, and 2 grandchildren

Former Workplaces: 3 Years Morgan Distribution, 5 Years Township Assessor Assistant, 3 Years Investortools Inc.

Other Current Work: 33 years Home Plate Hot Dogs.

Year starting at Cross: Began at Cross in 2007 and love the work environment.

-Treasurer for Cross Lutheran Foundation & Cross Lutheran Church & School

-Does the Live Stream and Media Shout Operator once or twice a month, Mom2Mom leadership team, Sports scorekeeper or clock.

-Love to read a good book, crochet, and knit

One of your favorite Bible verses: “And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes from God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him” Hebrews 11:6

Karin Kabat

Family Info: Married to Tom Kabat.

Former Work Places: Morton Salt and PepsiCo. Over 35 years in various Human Resources positions.

Year starting at Cross: July 2017

Extra info: Member of St. Patrick’s Church in Yorkville for 25+ years. Volunteered on the Alpha Team.

-I enjoy reading, spending time with my grandchildren and traveling.

One of your favorite Bible verses: Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Matthew 22:37-40

Craig Mattes

Graduated from/Education: Valparaiso University – Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration (Marketing); Concordia University St. Paul – Director of Outreach Certification

Family Info: Wife Amy and sons Will and Reagan

Former Work Places: Church wise – worked at Prince of Peace/Palatine, Trinity/Lisle, St. Paul/Aurora

Year starting at Cross: Over 3 years – since June 2021

Extra Info: I enjoy hiking, running, movies and jigsaw puzzles.

One of your favorite Bible verses: “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” Matthew 28:19

Jan Kinsel

Graduated from/Education: Graduated 1984 from Aurora College with a bachelor’s degree in nursing. Completed her certification in Director of Church Ministries from Concordia Mequon in 2017.

Family Info:  Married to Eugene for 42 years. Three grown daughters and one son-in-law

Former Work Places:  Professional experience spans critical care, cardiac care, cardiac research, home health medical coding and quality assurance

Year Starting at Cross:  Joined Cross staff in June of 2021

Extra Information: Cross Adult Choir Director, passionate knitter, loves to sew

Favorite Bible Verse: “Be Still , and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10

Jim Smiley

Graduated from/Education: Bachelors in science Technical Management June 2006, Summa Cum Laude

-Certification in Heating & Air Conditioning

-Stationary Engineers License

Family Info: Married to Diane M. Smiley (35 years) and father to Alyssa

-30 Year resident in the United City of Yorkville

Former Work Places: Facilities Management experience past 40 years, primarily in various management positions Former Safety & ADA Director

-Retired April 2022

-Volunteer at Cross Lutheran on the Facilities team for the past several years

Year Starting at Cross: Joined Cross staff as Director of Operations June 2022

Extra Information: Interests include classic cars, car restorations, golfing & live music.

One of your favorite Bible verses: “And David commanded to gather together the strangers that were in the land of Israel; and he set masons to hew wrought stones to build the house of God” 1 Chronicles 22:2

Becca Pape

Graduated from/Education:

–Graduated from Anderson University in 2017 with a Bachelor’s in Piano Performance and a minor in Music Composition

–Graduated from the University of Iowa in 2019 with a Master’s in Music Composition

Family Info: Russ and Lisa Pape (parents); Ben, Chris, and Tim (brothers); Daisy, Storm and Pula (beloved family pets)

Former Work Places: University of Iowa as Adjunct for Music Theory Aural Skills; Holy Trinity Lutheran Church as Collaborative Pianist in North Liberty, IA

Year starting at Cross: Worship and Production Assistant in April 2022, started Administrative Assistant position in August 2023

Extra info:

– Hobbies include reading, playing board and card games, Dungeons and Dragons, and mediocre video gaming

– Able to bond with others over multiple nerdy fandoms such as Star Wars, Avatar the Last Airbender, Legend of Zelda, Marvel, etc.

– Passionate about using music to create meaningful connections in the community through inspirational compositions, heartfelt worship, and dedicated service

One of your favorite Bible verses:

“I lift up my eyes to the hills. Where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, The Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip. He who watches over you will not slumber” Psalm 121:1-3

Catherine Stowe

Graduated from/Education: Bachelor of Science in Nursing, St. Xavier University.  Master of Science, Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, University of Illinois Chicago

Family Info: Michael Stowe (spouse), Brenna, Ashlynne and Delainey (daughters), Emily, Carolyn and William (bonus children), 7 grandchildren

Former Work Places: Various hospitals, Amita Medical Group, Univeristy of St. Francis – Assistant Professor, College of Nursing

Year starting at Cross: Congregant since 2002, School receptionist starting in 2024

One of your favorite Bible verses: “And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.”  Ephesians 4:32

Jessica Dvorak

Graduated from/Education: Graduated from Emporia State University with a B.S.E. degree in English with a minor in Creative Writing

–Graduated from Concordia Nebraska with DCE degree

Family Info: Married to Chris spring of 2012

–We have one very active son, Noah (born in 2017) and 4 babies who live with Jesus

Former Work Places: Was a public high school language arts, Health, and ESOL teacher before earning DCE degree

– My first Call as a DCE was to Concordia in Cedar Rapids, IA where I did cradle to grave ministry

Year starting at Cross: Joined Cross August of 2023

Extra info: Love to camp (where there’s no bears), garden, hike, and play board games. And I’m a Green Bay Packers fan.

One of your favorite Bible verses: For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38-39

Caley Thanepohn

Graduated from/Education: Northern Illinois University

-Bachelors: Psychology, 2011

-Masters: Adult & Higher Education, 2013

Family Info: Married my husband Ben in 2011. We have three children- Jacob (2013), Sam (2017, and Kenzie (2019)

Former Work Places: Aurora University

Year starting at Cross: Started working at Cross in 2023. Have been attending Cross regularly since 2012.

Extra info: I love serving at Cross and helping kids learn about the love of Jesus!

One of your favorite Bible verses: “ The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul.” Psalm 23:1-3