Summer: May 24–Sept 6
One Worship | 10am
Meet the Team
The First Pres staff is diversely talented, passionate about the church and their ministry areas, and united in their love of Christ and the people of First Pres.
Pastoral Team
Chris has served as Senior Pastor of First Pres since 2012. Chris is a graduate of Baylor University, holds a Master of Divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary, and a Doctor of Ministry degree through Fuller Seminary. Chris loves guiding the congregation to live into its call to participate in the mission of God in the world. “More Than Sunday means we discover what it means for us to live as followers of Jesus Christ in every aspect of our lives. God’s love for us and for the world has implications for our relationships, our families, our calendars, our community, our work lives, and on and on and on,” says Chris. Prior to joining the team at First Presbyterian Church of Glen Ellyn, Chris served as Associate Pastor of Adult Discipleship at Sammamish Presbyterian Church in Sammamish, WA. Chris lives in Glen Ellyn with his wife, Erin, and two sons, Carter and Ryan.
Jonathan serves at First Pres by leading the pastoral care ministries of the church, shepherding the Deacon ministry, and serving as a regular participant and preacher in Sunday morning worship. He has an undergraduate degree from Wheaton College, attended Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary and graduated with an MDiv from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. Jonathan is inspired by the number of unsung people in this church body who quietly, effectively, and faithfully serve behind the scenes: loving their “neighbor”, serving meals, caring for the children of others, visiting homebound elderly. He loves seeing people flourish in the gifts God has given them, using those gifts to serve and engage with others. Prior to joining the First Pres team in 2014, Jonathan has been an Associate Pastor and Executive Director of the LaSalle Senior Center, both at LaSalle Street Church in Chicago and most recently was the Executive Director of Emmaus Ministries, a long-time mission partner of First Presbyterian Church. He and his wife Beverly live in Chicago and have two adult daughters, Elizabeth and Abigail.
Jen Bradbury serves as the Sr. Director of Family Ministry at First Presbyterian Church of Glen Ellyn. She holds a Masters of Arts in Youth Ministry Leadership from Huntington University and a Bachelors of Science in Electrical Engineering from the University of Illinois. Jen loves discipling young people and their grownups so that they can follow Jesus in their everyday lives and in the process, transform their communities. She also has a heart for equipping leaders to serve. Prior to serving at First Pres, Jen worked as the Content Director at Fuller Youth Institute, where she still serves as a Content and Research Associate. With more than twenty years of experience in youth and family ministry, she’s also the author of several books, including Faith Beyond Youth Group, The Jesus Gap, Called: A Novel About Youth Ministry Transition, and What Do I Believe About What I Believe? Jen and her husband, Doug, live in Glen Ellyn where they can regularly be found adventuring with their two young daughters.
Worship Team
Lily Serfass brings her passion for worship and extensive musical background to her role as Director of Worship Ministries at First Pres. Her journey began with First Pres in 2021 as a worship intern and evolved into her current leadership position amidst staffing changes in 2023. Lily finds fulfillment in collaborating with musicians of all ages, witnessing how worship ministry and music can uniquely impact individuals. Originally from Austin, Texas, Lily holds a Bachelor of Music in Classical Voice and Theater from Wheaton College. She now resides in Glendale Heights with her husband, Cole, where she enjoys cooking, playing tabletop games, and creating music in her spare time.
Emma Ware graduated from Wheaton College in May of 2024 with a Bachelor of Music in Composition and a Theater Minor. She began her First Pres journey in the summer of 2023 as a worship intern, getting opportunities to touch almost all of the worship ministries First Pres has to offer. Since then, being involved in modern worship and bell choir has been her main contribution to the community—until now! Having sung in choirs all throughout her schooling years, the most formative being her time with the Wheaton College Concert Choir, Emma finds great joy in gathering with friends who love to sing and offering their gifts of music to the Lord. She is endlessly interested in simple storytelling and believes that choir is an amazing vehicle to encourage one another with our stories.
Emily Puntuzs has been at First Pres since 2014. She directs handbells at the Classic service. Emily loves making music to glorify God each week with an amazing group of dedicated people. She is inspired by the love and support the members show for each other. She also currently teaches viola and violin at Wheaton College Community School of the Arts, where she also serves as Suzuki Strings Coordinator and directed the handbell program for nearly 20 years. She subs occasionally with Chicago Bronze and enjoys performing with her string quartet. Emily lives in Wheaton with her husband, Tony, and two daughters, Eliza and Caroline.
With over 30 years of experience as a musician and drummer, Jerry Goodwin brings a wealth of knowledge and passion for worship music to First Pres. His journey in music leadership has taken him through several prominent churches, where he has had the opportunity to lead worship bands and inspire others in their musical journeys.
Jerry's love for worship is evident in his commitment to fostering a community of musicians. He enjoys leading worship musicians alongside talented individuals, while also dedicating his efforts to training new musicians on how to contribute meaningfully to worship services. He started his path at First Pres as a substitute drummer in August 2021, quickly becoming a beloved member of the team. Just weeks later, he was welcomed as a regular drummer, and by November 2024, he proudly stepped into the role of Music Director for the modern worship service.
Outside of music, Jerry is a devoted husband and father of three, cherishing the moments spent with his family. He's also a realtor by profession for over 17 years. He is excited to continue his journey at First Pres, cultivating a vibrant worship experience that honors God and enriches the community.
Ministries Team
Stephanie Freemyer serves as the Director of Children’s Ministry at First Presbyterian Church of Glen Ellyn, where she leads First Pres Kids—a Christ-centered ministry that invites children into worship, wonder, and belonging. With a deep belief in the playful nature of God, Stephanie designs spaces where kids are free to explore faith through creativity, relationships, and joy. She is a passionate advocate for including children of all backgrounds and abilities, ensuring that every child knows they are seen, loved, and valued in the body of Christ. In addition to church leadership, Stephanie has written over $3 million in awarded grants focused on the health, development, and flourishing of children. Whether writing curriculum, training volunteers, or playing alongside kids, Stephanie enjoys merging fun with spiritual depth.
Shana serves as The Director of Community Formation at First Presbyterian Church of Glen Ellyn. She holds her Masters in Counseling from Concordia University, Masters of English and Education from Drake University, and a Bachelors of English from The University of Iowa. Shana believes in the power of Christian friendship and community. When we come together and share our stories, we can see God at work in each of our lives. Shana is passionate about helping people find connection. She loves seeing relationships grow beyond the social level, to form a community, where people can go through life together.
Prior to joining the staff at FPGE, Shana worked and English teacher and counselor in Naperville, IL. Shana and her husband Lance, live in Wheaton with their three children, Ben, Susannah, and Violet – they have been members of FPGE since 2011.
Prior to joining the staff at FPGE, Shana worked and English teacher and counselor in Naperville, IL. Shana and her husband Lance, live in Wheaton with their three children, Ben, Susannah, and Violet – they have been members of FPGE since 2011.
Ben Hancock serves as the Director of Student Ministries at First Pres. He runs our middle school ministry (TNT) and our High School ministry (FPGEY). Ben loves watching students connect their faith to every other aspect of their life: be it on the field, on the stage, in school, or anywhere a student can explore the richness of God’s beauty.
Ben grew up 25 minutes west of here at First Presbyterian Church of River Forest, and is excited to be returning “home” after finishing up his master’s in New Jersey. Ben’s home church taught him so much about the Gospel in the way that they nurtured and cared for him during his teenage years, and he is eager to cultivate a similar experience with the students here in Glen Ellyn. Ben looks forward to connecting our students to the whole intergenerational church through service, meaningful relationships, and a deep love of Jesus.
Ben’s wife, Anna, is a professor at Wheaton College, and together the two of them love spending time playing all sorts of games with their sons Simon and Will.
Kelly Michel is our Westminster Preschool Coordinator, dedicated to ensuring every parent, child and teacher has a smooth experience. With a kind heart and a passion for helping children grow, Kelly embodies Westminster's nurturing culture.
Nancy Cavanaugh coordinates the Equipped Adult Education Ministry. As a former teacher and school librarian, she has a passion for life-long learning. In the Equipped Ministry, the focus of learning is all about gaining a deeper understanding of God and His Word to grow closer to Christ in our relationship with Him. Whether the class is about theology, scripture, missions, or soul care, Nancy enjoys encouraging people at First Pres to come to the Parlor to listen and learn. One of her favorite parts of this position is meeting and talking with the amazing speakers and teachers who lead the Equipped classes. Nancy lives in Oak Brook with her daughter, Chaylee, and their adorable, very spoiled, Cockapoo, Ginger. Nancy enjoys reading, walking, and becoming totally engrossed in series like All Creatures Great and Small, Medici, and Call the Midwives. Her favorite food is pizza, and her mornings always begin with coffee – hazelnut flavored is preferred.
Admin Team
Admin Team
Suzi Benes has overseen the church finances, legal records, and all things having to do with the church campus (in partnership with the Properties, Finance and Stewardship, and Personnel ministries) since 2005. Stewardship of resources is one of her top goals and she just might ask you to walk on the sides of the hall so the carpet wears evenly. She graduated from Iowa State with a degree in English, Journalism, and Psychology, and previously worked in the hospitality industry. She lives in Glen Ellyn with her husband Rich, and they have two children, Bailey and Cameron.
Tricia joined the First Pres team in 2019. She runs the front desk on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays where she enjoys serving all of the people with whom she comes in contact as well as the variety of administrative tasks. Tricia loves it when she is able to connect the needs of a caller, whether a church member or not, with the many resources and people in our great congregation. She holds a B.F.A. in acting from DePaul University. Tricia lives in Glen Ellyn with her husband Marc and their sons Rory, Luke, Brady and Chase.
Jen joined the church in 2004 with her husband Jeff. She shares the responsibilities of the Front Desk, with Tricia Cavan, on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Jen has served twice as a Deacon, valuing the relationships she has fostered and gained through service. She has enjoyed helping with the VBS and Spark children’s programs for over 10 years. Throughout the years, Jen has appreciated attending and growing deeper in her faith through Faith Builders and participation in Women’s Small Groups. Jen holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Clothing, Textiles & Fashion from Murry State University (KY). She lives in Glen Ellyn with her husband and two children: Nic & Lindsay. Their Doodle dog, Ginger, rounds out the family and keeps them on the move desiring daily long walks & runs!