WELCOME!
WELCOME!
Senior Pastor
Kendall Koenig
Associate Pastor
Maureen "Mo" O'Connor
These days our ministry is a hybrid—with worship in person and online. Our children, youth, and adult programs are primarily offered in person, with some components also actively meeting online. Connecting people to God and to others is our greatest joy!
And of course, we are a church that loves to make a difference as Jesus leads us—whether that is raising funds through World Vision for clean water access around the world, or actively supporting our local food pantry responding to needs around the corner.
In this season that is hard for all of us, we invite you to lean into the God who hasn’t given up on our world. Join us for worship—online or in person--and experience God’s touch. Or check out our variety of programs for children, youth and adults and see if there isn’t a way that Jesus wants to impact your life in these days. Join us in this journey!
OUR BELIEFS
WHAT WE TEACH
The Bible: We teach that through the Bible we hear God speaking to us. Because it is God’s Word, it is our authority in matters of faith and life.
God: We teach that there is one God, eternally existing in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Jesus Christ: We teach that Jesus Christ is both fully God and fully human, who by His death on the cross has redeemed us.
The Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit's gifts are available and operative today for all Christians.
ELCA
Light of Christ is a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), Northern Illinois synod. The ELCA is a Christian denominations, with about 4 million members and nearly 10,000 congregations across the United States, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
CORE VALUES
We value...
►Grace-filled ministry that meets people where they are at.
►Connecting people
►Worship that is scriptural, sacramental, Spirit-led, and speaks to today.
INCLUSIVITY STATEMENT
At Light of Christ, we invite the Church to grow in its understanding of issues influencing genuine inclusion of all God’s children.
We commit to embrace God’s perfectly designed differences in all people, to actively live out Jesus’ call to love our neighbors, and to foster authentic relationships in our community.
To read more about our mission, vision, and resources, CLICK HERE.
“Jesus replied, 'The most important commandment is this: Listen, O Israel! The Lord our God is the one and only Lord.
And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.
The second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ No other commandment is greater than these.'”
Mark 12:29-31
MISSION STATEMENT:
OUR TEAM
Kendall Koenig
Senior Pastor
Pastor Kendall Koenig has been Senior Pastor at Light of Christ since the fall of 2001. Prior to his calling here, Kendall served two congregations as Associate Pastor at Zion in Rockford, IL, and as a Mission Developer, founding a new congregation in Frankfort, IL. For his pastoral training, Kendall attended the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago. And, he spent six months of his pastoral study at the University of Zimbabwe. Kendall is married to Connie, and they have three children; Kaleb, Maddie, and Leah. In his leisure time, Kendall enjoys bike riding, playing basketball, board games, watching sports, and reading.
Maureen "Mo" O'Connor
Associate Pastor
Pastor Mo is a rather non-traditional, fun-loving, leader who strives to make worship relevant for our everyday lives and often looks for innovative ways of bringing the sacred and the secular together. She has a serious passion for helping others discover true freedom in Christ while seeking to build bridges between those both inside and outside of the community. Pastor Mo holds an undergrad in Theology and Clinical Psychology from Elmhurst College. She completed her Master of Divinity studies at Northern Theological Seminary and Anglican Studies Degree at Bexley Seabury Theological Seminary. Prior to receiving her call to Light of Christ, Pastor Mo served as head Rector at Calvary Episcopal Church. Pastor Mo has experience in Mission Development, co-founding a multi-cultural non-denominational Church in 2010. In 2015 she founded, a 501(c)(3) non-profit, called Connecting with Love which provided, assistance to at-risk-children in Guinea West Africa. Pastor Mo has two wonderful daughters, Alyssa and Priscilla, a Pitbull named Cleveland, German Shepard named Ocito and two cats, Winnie & Mister. Her hobbies include making others laugh, trying new foods, riding her motorcycle, watching Sci-Fi, and reading up on metaphysics & theology.
Josh Jones
Director, Music & Worship Ministries
Dr. Josh Jones has served various faith communities as a church musician for over 20 years. Some of his earliest performance opportunities were in church. He served as a section leader and a soloist for various churches throughout college and graduate school. Josh has a Bachelor of Music degree from the Butler University Jordan College of Fine Arts, a Master of Music degree from the Boston University School for the Arts, and a Doctor of Music degree from Northwestern University School of Music. He teaches voice, music theory, composition, and ensemble courses. He has served on the music faculties at Judson University, Elmhurst College, and The College of Dupage. He is an active recitalist, concert soloist, and has sung as a chorister with the Lyric Opera of Chicago, Grant Park Music Festival, and the Lakeside Singers.
Josh lives in Algonquin with his wife Coco and their children Jacob and Molly. In his free time, he enjoys reading, writing, playing guitar, and rooting for the Bears.
Jennifer Alderson
Director, Welcome Ministry & Communications
Jennifer began attending Light of Christ in 2012, and became a part of the church staff in 2016. An Algonquin native, she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Youth Ministry and Adolescent Studies from Judson University in Elgin, IL in 1996. With over 30 years of experience in both lay and professional ministry, much of Jennifer’s career has been at Judson University. Jennifer also serves on the worship team at Light of Christ, both as a worship leader and instrumentalist. She lives in Algonquin with her husband, Mark, and their children, Jack and Jane, and their dog, Hazel.
Jessica Adams
Director, Children's Ministries
Jessica has been worshiping at Light of Christ since 2009 when she found the church after enrolling her daughter in the LOC Preschool program. Over the years, Jessica became an active member in the congregation, participating and serving in many different ministries.
Serving in Children’s Ministry is where Jessica’s heart lies. She has been Director of Childrens Ministry since 2015. She loves to see the children grow day by day in their love for God.
A mother of two, Jessica and her husband Chris live in Crystal Lake.
Jessica oversees all Children’s Ministries here at Light of Christ.
Kim Carrera
Director, Youth Ministries
Kim served faithfully for 10 years as a small group leader and teacher in the high school ministry at a prominent church in the western suburbs. She also held the role of Program Director at Lake Geneva Youth Camp for Jr. High co-ed week since 2010. Kim studied youth ministry at Moody Bible Institute and has worked professionally in the banking industry for 7 years.
She considers the calling to youth ministry at Light of Christ, which started in May of 2014, as a dream come true. Kim loves connecting with people, having a good time and walking alongside teens as they grow in the grace of God.
Jack Belford
Director, Worship Production
Jack and his wife, Nora, have attended LOC since 2004. Jack has served on the Church Council and as a leader for the E3 ministry. In 2006 Jack was asked to lead the ‘sound team’ for weekend services. Jack’s duties soon grew into managing a well-trained and dedicated team of volunteers that provide Sound Engineering, Streaming, A/V, Projection, and lighting expertise for all worship services. This LOC Production Team is part of the structure to help strengthen the message by faithfully producing the best possible worship atmosphere through sound and visual reinforcement.
Beca Malmgren
Director, Children's Choirs
Beca has been blessed to be the Director of Children's Music at Light of Christ since the fall of 2013. Beca has been involved with Youth Ministry for over twelve years, and she graduated from Judson University with a B.A. in K-12 music education in 2011. She now teaches music in many forms, and feels incredibly blessed to minister side by side with the children at LOC.
Beca, her husband Seth, and their children, Arabella and Teddy, live in Carpentersville, IL.
Vicki Barmore
Financial Administrator
Vicki has worked at LOC since 2009 and has been a church member since 1999. She handles all of the accounting related to the church and preschool. Vicki has a Bachelor of Business in Accounting and a CPA. She has many years of accounting experience with several corporations.
Vicki lives in Crystal Lake with her husband, Dan, and has two children. In her free time she enjoys creating homemade cards, being outdoors, and reading.
Jenny Tackett-Irwin
Office Administrator
Jenny has attended Light of Christ since 2010. During her time at LOC, she has been involved in different ministries. Jenny earned her Bachelors degree in Psychology and worked in social work prior to having children. She lives in Gilberts with her husband and two children.
Jennifer Pruyn
Coordinator, Wednesday Night Live! Kids
Candi Neely
Director, Junior High PATH Confirmation Ministry
Jennine Rivard
Bookkeeper
Jennine has been a bookkeeper at LOC since 2016. She assists the financial secretary with accounting related to the church and preschool.
Jennine lives in West Dundee with her husband and two daughters. In her free time, she enjoys spending time boating and being outdoors with her family.
Rita Dawson
Wedding Coordinator
CHURCH COUNCIL
Steve Kontos
Council President
Michael Sheridan
Vice President
Jennesa Gober
Secretary
Amy Cianciarulo
Treasurer
Roger Lall
Council Member
John Orlando
Council Member
OUR HISTORY
1985-1990
Nov 1985, 1st service in a storefront in downtown Algonquin; over 130 people attended.
Mar 1986, our name was selected based on John 8:12: "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life." We were first chartered as a congregation of the American Lutheran Church.
1987, 5 acres of land were purchased on Hanson Road.
1988, moved into the Hanson Road building; LOC members participate in many stages of construction
1991-2000
1993, dedicated a building addition doubling the size of our ministry.
1997, founding Pastor Mike Fish accepts a call to a congregation in Arkansas.
1998 - 2000, Pastor Scott Hove serves as Senior Pastor.
2000, Pastor Brent Dahlseng provides excellent Interim ministry as senior pastor.
2001-2010
2001, Current Senior Pastor Kendall Koenig accepted his call to LOC.
2002, Our Invite, Nurture, Serve Mission Statement was claimed.
2003, congregation grows significantly. Congregation begins to study space issues.
2006, 16 acres of land at the corner of Longmeadow Pkwy & Sleepy Hollow Rd. was purchased and dedicated.
2007, our current building was put up for sale and capital campaign began for construction of the new building for the new property.
2010-PRESENT
2017, Congregation votes to begin building process. Forward in Faith Campaign raises $3.6M in commitments to proceed.
2020, Light of Christ moves into our new campus at 1700 Longmeadow Parkway.