OUR STAFF
OUR STAFF
BRIAN & PATRICE KAMSTRA
Our Senior Pastor and His Wife
In 1975, Brian picked up a hitchhiker who happened to be a member of Spirit of God Fellowship. As a result of that encounter, he was radically saved in 1976. Brian and his wife Patrice have been members of Spirit of God Fellowship for almost as long as the church has existed. Together, Brian and Patrice raised three kids, and now their grandson, in the church. Patrice leads the women's Bible study here at Spirit of God, and has been a long-time volunteer at Restoration Ministries. Today, she is a member of the advisory board for Tabitha House, RMI's rehabilitation program for women. Brian and Patrice are faithful servants, walking alongside many of us, praying with us, and now shepherding our church as it continues to grow.
God has placed Brian on this journey to pastor the church and carry on a wonderful legacy that was left by our church’s founder, John Sullivan. It is a legacy of love, of friendship, and of service to the kingdom of God. Brian is honored to be a part of God’s plan for the church and knows that, just as God was faithful to the church for the last 50 years, He will continue to be faithful and do mighty things in the years to come.
"Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ."
1 Corinthians 12:12
JOANNE ADAMS
Audio Systems Manager
Joanne has always been interested in mechanical and technical equipment, and combined with her love for music, she says she “fell into running sound” at Spirit of God Fellowship, and it became a big part of her life. She has attended Spirit of God Fellowship for over 40 years, and she feels blessed to be able to contribute.
In her spare time, she enjoys spending time in nature. “I've always been a huge nature lover, even before it became fashionable. I see God in so much of it and marvel at His incredibly magnificent design."
PAM BANKS
Youth Leader
Pam has been a member of Spirit of God for about over 30 years. She is assistant youth leader and teaches the high school Sunday School class. Pam is the fourth oldest of six siblings, and they all enjoy game nights and traveling together. She is passionate about working with youth and loves seeing them thrive in their gifts.
JEN FITZGERALD
Director of Children’s Ministries
Jen has a heart for service, and her master’s degree in education make her a great fit to lead our children’s program. She and her husband Mike are co-founders of Filling The Gap NFP, a restorative organization dedicated to providing dignified and transformational housing to people in need, where she also serves as Director of Operations.
She and her husband have two kids, Josh and Gracie, and two dogs. Jen is a people person who loves spending time with family and friends. She also enjoys working out, reading, and spending time in the Word.
MARY JAMES
Church Administrator
Mary has been a member of SoGF for over 30 years and has served in many capacities, including house church, premarital counseling, mentoring, Sunday School, and senior ministries. She also helped start Tabitha House at Restoration Ministries.
Mary loves all four pillars of SoGF: outreach, worship, diversity, and community. In her spare time, she loves traveling and spending time with her family, including her three children and five grandchildren.
MATHEW JAMES
Head Elder
In 1989, Mathew and his wife Mary became members of Spirit of God Fellowship. He then began mentoring Harvey House men, and at the same time taught junior high and served as Assistant Principal and Principal at Calvary Academy. Today he serves as head elder and serves as our Sunday speaker monthly, while also offering pre-marital counseling with his wife Mary.
Mathew and his wife have three adult children and five grandchildren.
JOSE & PAULA LOPEZ
Pastor of Espiritu de Dios Comunidad Cristiana with wife Paula
Meet Jose and Paula Lopez! Together, Jose and Paula have served Spirit of God Fellowship since 1983, faithfully leading Espíritu de Dios Comunidad Cristiana, as well as serving in multiple capacities at Spirit of God Fellowship. We are so blessed to have this powerful couple in our community!
If you would like to hear more about Espiritu de Dios Comunidad Cristiana, you can reach Pastor Jose by phone at (708) 439-1220, or through email at J.Lopez2499@att.net.
NICOLE MCPHERSON
Administrative Assistant
Nicole is a long-time member of SoGF who has been a great help to all of our ministries here, helping organize special events and lending a hand in more ways than any of us will ever know. She organizes all events and has a special gift for serving children and their families. She and her husband Mark love spending time with their 3 children and 6 grandchildren.
TIM NOVOTNY
Elder Liaison to the Deacons
Tim has been a member at SoGF since he was a child, and he even met his wife Diane here in the youth group! You will always find Tim as the usher, helping people find their seats and feel welcome. He is active in many ways at SoGF and loves spending time with his wife, four kids, and eight grandkids.
CHARLES & ANEESA SERGEANT
Family & Youth Ministry Directors
Charles is our Family & Youth Pastor, and together, he and Aneesa serve as our Directors of Family Ministries. Charles served in the U.S. Navy and spent more than a decade in non-profit community development. Aneesa has worked in every area of public education, from the classroom to administration, for more than 20 years. The Sergeants have been married since 2004. In their free time, Charles and Aneesa love to hang out at the fire pit, dance, go for walks, and bicker about packages being delivered every day. The Sergeants have two sons, Charles lll and Emmanuel, who make it all worth it.
ALEXANDRA SHLOSS
Director of Communication
Alex is passionate about people and loves meeting newcomers to the church. She has worked as a high school English teacher, mental health counselor, journalist, and speaker, and this experience helps her as she serves in the church. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family, and volunteering in animal rescue. She also loves reading, writing, and acting, and is excited to use her gifts and experience to further the kingdom of God.
ISAAC TARVER
Worship Pastor
Isaac Tarver is a worshipper at his heart. His pursuit of the presence of God is a reflection of his heart’s desire for God's people to encounter Him more and more. Isaac is a dedicated husband to Teresa and father to Issachar, Uriah, Levi, and Judah. His life mission is to see worshippers encounter God purely and fully understand what it means to live a lifestyle of worship before the Lord Jesus.
PAUL WOODSON
Production Manager
Paul Woodson has been a part of Spirit of God Fellowship since 1989. He coordinates the production team, meeting the technical needs for Sunday services and events. Paul is a lover of music, a trumpet player, and a retired teacher and band director. He and his wife, Marge, live right here in South Holland, and he works part-time with the band next door at Calvary.
Pictured: Mathew James
LEADERSHIP BOARD
Ray Banks
Paul Boros
Jeff Courtney
Phillip Fornett
Mathew James
Paul Lesczynski
Joe Lopez, Jr.
Mark McPherson
Kevin Novotny
Tim Novotny
Greg Robinson
John Russell
Paul Woodson