Pastor Mary Zajac
Elder
Pastor Mary has been our pastor since December of 2013. She is a second career pastor with 22 years of experience in a corporate setting. She earned her B.S. in Engineering from the University of Illinois, an M.S. in Computer Science from Northwestern University, a Masters of Divinity from Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary, and is currently working on a Doctorate in Ministry degree. She served as a Christian Education Pastor, Youth Pastor, Associate Pastor, and Senior Pastor prior to arriving at Baker. Mary’s husband Jim is a dentist with a busy practice in their home town of Downers Grove. They enjoy spending time with their family, skiing, camping, and woodworking. Mary is passionate about helping people discover how a healthy spiritual life transforms our relationships with God, ourselves, others, and the world.
pastormary@bakermemorialchurch.org
Pastor Kim Neace
Deacon
Pastor Kim was ordained in the UMC in 2013. She comes with years of experience in a variety of ministries. Kim has been on 8 international mission experiences and 6 national mission trips with the youth that all had an impact on her understanding of God, others, and the world. She earned her Bachelor’s in Elementary Education at University of Illinois at Chicago, a Master’s in Family Ministry at Bethel Seminary, and a Basics of Graduate Theological Studies at Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary. Kim’s husband, Glen, is a Sales Engineer at Interstate Electronics and they live in Naperville. They have 2 adult children, Austin and Alyssa who is married to Jacob. Kim has a heart for people to grow in their relationship with God, to equip and develop others to serve in their gifted areas here and around the world. She enjoys spending time with family and friends, playing games, and eating healthy.
pastorkim@bakermemorialchurch.org
Church Staff
Mandy Hale
Director of Administration and Communication
Mandy Graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in 1999 and joined her family-owned business in 2000 working to implement quality and environmental controls before moving on to marketing and communications. Mandy has been an active member of Baker since 2009 and was Director of our Children and Family Ministries from 2016-2018. mhale@bakermemorialchurch.org
Shelly Stienbarger
Director of Children & Family Ministries
Shelly graduated from Monmouth College, IL. She moved to the St. Charles area in 2015, and prior to that lived in Alaska and Hawaii. Shelly has two active daughters, Taya and Teagan. Shelly has a passion to help others and loves to volunteer in the local school district, community, and Baker. Shelly values her outdoor adventures. She will never turn down a cup of coffee if you’re looking for a plus one. Her favorite, the sound of laughter!
sstienbarger@bakermemorialchurch.org
Jeffrey Hunt
Director of Music
Jeffrey leads a very active music program, directing the Chancel choir, Chancel Bell Choir and the Chapel choir. Jeff is founder and director of the St. Charles Singers, an internationally recognized choral ensemble. Jeff is an adjunct faculty member at Elgin Community College and is active in both the American Choral Directors Association and Chorus America. Jeff earned a B.M from Taylor University and a M.M in Choral Conducting from Northwestern University & runs an active voice studio.
jhunt@bakermemorialchurch.org
Judy Schlarb
Finance Manager
Judy Schlarb not only helps keep the books, but she’s also part of the heart here. Judy, our accounts receivable guru, is a longtime parishioner and an active member. Judy is the joyful coordinator and host of the Day Guest lunch program. She also serves on the Altar Guild and is one of Baker’s wedding coordinators. She is active in Sarah Ruth Circle, the “Golden K” Kiwanis Club, Pottawatomie Garden Club, & gets involved in many of the events that pop up at Baker UMC. She also stays busy with her children and grandchildren.
Mark Edwards
Organist
Mark and his wife, Karin share a love for music as she’s in the music department at Wheaton College. Mark is a natural, having started playing the piano by ear at the age of 2. At the age of 4, he enrolled as a piano student at Jordan College of Music in his home city, Indianapolis. At the age of 8, Mark ran his fingers over the mighty Pilcher pipe organ and the sound captivated him forever. He earned a Bachelor of Music degree from Eastman School of Music & a Master of Music degree from Indiana University. Mark plays the organ, piano and harpsichord.
medwards@bakermemorialchurch.org
Karl Lescelius
Facilities Manager
As a Carthage College soccer playing alum, Karl continued to play and took on a coaching role until recently retiring after 30 years. With an MBA in business, Karl also brings 20+ years of experience as a craftsman in the field of remodeling in the local community. Karl enjoys reading, crossword puzzles and caring for his aging parents. Karl loves the people in the Baker church family and most of all, working for the “boss” who has blessed him with a gift to repair just about anything.
Music Staff
Kathy Olivarez
Director of the Wesley Singers and Chapel Bells
Carl King
Soloist
Samuel Wyatt
Pianist
Mary Hunt LeCuyer
Soloist
Jeanne Fornari
Soloist