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
Christ The Rock’s Senior Leadership Team:
Pastor Joel Zeiner, Lead Pastor
Pastor Joel started attending Christ The Rock and CTR Student Ministries as a teenager, after accepting Jesus during a family camp experience. Joel graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee with a degree in Comparative Religion, then attended seminary at Yale Divinity School. He previously served on CTR’s staff in Student Ministries, Missions, and as Teaching Pastor before taking on the role of Lead Pastor. He is excited about the power of the Gospel to change the Fox Valley community, and about making disciples here and around the world.
Left to right: Cortney Ascher, Discipleship Director, Pastor Ben Korinek, Creative Arts Team Leader; Lynne Paba, Executive Director and Support Team Leader, Pastor Deb Richards, Restore Team Leader
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
Rachel Curran – Discipleship Administrative Assistant
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 – Executive Director, Support Team Leader, Staff Coach
Drew Baum – Maintenance
Monica Betters – Maintenance Administrative Assistant
Lori Kelly – Bookkeeper
Nancy Leschke – Communications Coordinator
Ann Meyers – Volunteer Coordinator and Database Management
Kathy Scherer – Fireside Café Manager
Dustin Ott – Building & Grounds Coordinator
Erik Foat – Maintenance Coordinator
Julie Wilson – Administrative Assistant and Reception Coordinator
Melissa Zwach – Human Resources
Ministries & Staff Contacts | Alphabetical by Ministry Name
Amped (Middle school) – Brad Creighton
Baptisms – Kris Schneider
Benevolence – Pastor Kevin Kelly
Breakout/Breakout Jr. (grades K-5) – Jen Reetz
Building & Grounds – Dustin Ott
Building Maintenance – Erik Foat
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 – Lori Kelly
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/Partnership – Cortney Ascher
Men’s Discipleship – Pastor Kris Schneider
Mission Trips – Pastor Micah Neely
Prayer Intercessors – Open
Premarital Class – Jerilyn Hidden
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 – Jerilyn Hidden
Weekend Services – Pastor Ben Korinek
Women’s Discipleship – Pastor Kris Schneider
Worship Ministry – Pastor Marcus Gresham