THE IMMANUEL ELDER TEAM

We are here to serve and lead.  Please reach out with any questions or concerns you may have by contacting us.
To learn a little more about our Elders and their families watch this.

  • JURRELL BELONGA

    Jurrell served as an Elder from 2010 until he joined the Immanuel staff in 2013. He has served as Executive Pastor; he currently is Immanuel’s Leadership Pastor. His volunteer involvement includes Upward Basketball’s leadership team, VP3, and community group leadership. He and Sheryll are the parents of three sons: Jurrell, Jr. (18), Joell (17) and Jamel (15) and an eight-year-old foster daughter. Jurrell spends his limited free time in the garage, working on his cars and his new motorcycle.

  • DAVE BRASK

    The Brasks have attended Immanuel for 14 years. Dave and Kate are the parents of four awesome kids: Kim, Aaron, Sam and Natalie. He currently leads the Sunday traffic team and has served, along with Kate, as a VP3 facilitator. Dave is the Director of Operations for a 3D printing company in Northbrook. He has really enjoyed serving on the elder team, working closely with others who care about Immanuel and its future. 

  • Ryan Korah

    Ryan grew up in the Waukegan/Gurnee area, and teaches Biology and Chemistry at Warren Township High School. He and Heather have been married since 2012, and are the parents of Maya (6) and Amelia (2). He has attended Immanuel for 12 years, serving in Alpha, and on the World Outreach and prayer teams. He and Heather currently lead a community group.

  • Jason lind

    Jason has attended Immanuel since 2003. He and Katie were married in 1999, and have three children, Kaleb (18), Micah (16) and Linnea (12). Jason has volunteered as an Upward Basketball coach, Surf City worship leader, Bible study co-leader and Love INC volunteer. He and Katie have also served as marriage mentors and small group leaders. The Linds live in Lindenhurst; he is the superintendent in the Millburn school district.

  • javier maldonado

    Immanuel has been the Maldonados’ church home since 2004. Javier has served as a leader in Alpha, an Upward basketball coach and as a VP3 facilitator. He has participated in missions trips to Nigeria and India as well. He and Judy have four children: Anjali, Aliya, Mateo (home with Jesus) and Neveah. He makes his living as a bio-pharmaceutical immunology sales specialist for Abbvie. Javier is committed to helping to lead our church family as we continue to help people know Jesus and grow to be like Him.

  • jeff rector

    Jeff and Lisa have been part of the Immanuel family for 29 years, where they continue to grow as believers and parent their two (now young adult) sons.He has served on the praise and drama teams, in Upward Basketball and currently as a community group and elder. He is employed by Ensono as an enterprise sales architect. As Immanuel continues to reach out to all our neighbors...all our region...all for Jesus, Jeff considers it a privilege to serve on the elder team.

  • sam taylor

    Sam grew up in North Dakota, working in the oil fields until he went to college. He met his wife Janet while at Northwestern College. Janet and Sam have two grown sons and three grandchildren. He has been a member of Immanuel for 30 years, serving in AWANA, youth ministry, VP3 and community groups. He is currently the chair of the elder team. Sam has worked at Waukegan Public schools in various roles for 33 years. He enjoys camping and riding his motorcycle with Janet, and spending time with family.

  • STEVE WOOD

    Steve has called Immanuel home since marrying Karin in 1992, and it has been her church home her entire life. During the week, Steve serves as the Director of Science at Stevenson High School. Steve and Karin love all kinds of outdoor adventures with their children: Carter and his wife, Jackie, Julia and Colton. Steve loves Immanuel and has been blessed to serve as an elder as well as in youth ministry, Upward Basketball and as a facilitator for financial planning groups. He is excited about what the Lord has in store for Immanuel!

THE IMMANUEL STAFF

Meet the team. This group works crazy-hard to create environments to help you engage, get involved, and grow in your faith journey. The best part? They're very normal people! Find out just how normal by reading their bio.


If there's anything we can help you with, please let us know by contacting us. We're here for you.

  • JURRELL BELONGA

    leadership PASTOR

    Jurrell and his family moved to Lake County from New Orleans in the summer of 2007 and they have been part of the Immanuel family since 2008.  He served as an Elder from 2010 until he joined the Immanuel staff in 2013.  Jurrell and his lovely wife Sheryll, have three sons: Jurrell Jr., Joell and Jamel. 

  • Diane Verratti

    Operations Director

    Diane is thankful that God has granted her the privilege of serving in a variety of ways on Immanuel's staff since 1988. Reading (mostly mysteries) and walking are favorite leisure activities. She loves - in no particular order - cats, strong coffee, her husband, sons, their wives and her amazing grandchildren. Diane and Tom live in Waukegan, where she has been actively involved as a community volunteer for the last 20+ years.

  • BRYAN Bicket

    PASTOR OF GROUP LIFE

    One of the pastors at Immanuel, Bryan likes sports, good food, and hosting people at his home. Most importantly, he loves Jesus, his unbelievably incredible wife, Betsy, and their four children, Caleb, Joshua, Josiah, and Jellica.

  • Joanna Elrod

    SERVICE PROGRAMMING DIRECTOR / interim ICYOUTH DIRECTOR

    Joanna oversees our service programming department including our worship and technical teams. Joanna also works part time as real estate broker. In her spare time she loves to travel and spend time with her family and friends. 

  • JAY JENISON

    creative Director

    Jay is husband to Michelle and father to sons Bonn and Finn. When he isn't creating multi-media content, he can be found spending time with his family and friends or trying to make an old BMW run a little bit faster.

  • TONY BEAUDION

    RECOVERY PASTOR

    Since 2009, Tony has led the Recovery Ministry at Immanuel. With his late wife, he has three children and six grandkids. Tony and Evette were married in 2021, and are serving others together as God leads. Tony especially enjoys watching the Bears, Blackhawks and Cubs – and collecting political autographed books.

  • JOE BOERMAN
    TEACHING PASTOR EMERITUS

    Joe Boerman was Sr. Pastor at Immanuel 1989-2015. He and his wife, Debbie, have lived in the Chicagoland area most of their lives. Pastor Joe has remained active in retirement, currently serving on the teaching team at Immanuel. 

  • NATE BOERMAN

    ICYOUTH MIDDLE SCHOOL DIRECTOR

    Nate spent his high school years attending Immanuel and has lots of fond memories as a teen growing up in our high school youth ministry. After attending Moody Bible Institute, he served as a Jr .High Youth Pastor for 15 years, where he loved introducing middle school students to Christ and helping them grow in their walk with Christ. He has been married to his wife Becky for 21 years, and they both love serving in various ministries at Immanuel. They love traveling and making memories with their son, Wrigley. They all enjoy camping, roller coasters, Christian concerts and cheering on the Cubs.

  • Carlton Cessna

    Executive Director of icSports

    Carlton, his wife Laurie, and their son Nathaniel joined Immanuel in 2017. He has been leading Sports and Recreational ministries for over a decade. Carlton loves coaching youth sports and sees sports as an amazing way to connect with kids and adults and introduce them to Jesus. Born near Pittsburgh, PA, Carlton is an avid fan of his Pirates, Penguins, and Steelers.

  • BECCA GRASTY
    ICYOUTH ASSISTANT

    Becca works with our middle school and high school teams. When she isn't helping our teens and volunteers she likes to spend time trying new dessert recipes, reading memoirs and spending as much time as possible outside.

  • DAVE HUNSBERGER

    TECHNICAL DIRECTOR

    Dave's youth as an entertainment technician, supervisor, and musician has equipped him perfectly for his role of Technical Director. When he isn't at home with his wife Sarah, he works with the Service Programming team to design and implement creative elements on Sunday and throughout the church. On any given Sunday, he can usually be found behind either the sound console or the drums.

  • Sean jessup

    Facilities manager

    Sean works mostly behind the scenes taking care of the facilities maintenance needs, and ensuring Immanuel is safe and clean for guests. Outside of work he enjoys sports, being active outdoors and spending time with his wife Adriana and son Juaquin.

  • DAGMAR MAY

    assistant DIRECTOR of ickids

    Dagmar loves being a mom to her two daughters, Megan and Kalie. She lives in Bristol, Wisconsin with her husband and two pugs. When not at work she enjoys reading, trying out a new recipie in the kitchen, coffee with friends and getting lost in the depths of Pinterest.

  • LINDA SCHULTZ

    Director of guest services

    Linda loves to help visitors get connected and supports a team of volunteers who create a welcoming, comfortable, and caring Sunday morning environment. She and her husband Art, have three adult children. They enjoy traveling, boating, and nature hikes.

  • ZACH SMOLE

    ICKIDS DIRECTOR

    Zach has 2 young children, Jaynie and Zachary, and is married to Natalie. Before Immanuel he was an elementary school teacher for 14 years and has enjoyed working with kids in all facets and all ages. When Zach isn’t hanging with kids, he enjoys fishing (mostly through the ice during winter) or watching baseball and college football.