 Joe SandersSenior Minister SeniorMinister@centrallive.net I have been in church leadership for over 10 years with more than 7 as Senior Minister. Growing up in central Illinois, I felt God’s call to ministry as a teenager and I ran the other way knowing even then just how tough ministry could be. However, God continued to work on me and I later accepted His call to service. His call involved serving everywhere I could in church. I started serving as a Sunday school teacher, youth group leader, in local missions, as worship leader, small group leader and then to my current role as senior minister. God prepared me for ministry with on the job training and a great education. While serving in church, God led me to Lincoln Christian University where I attained a BA in General Ministry and a Master of Divinity Degree in Preaching. While in the graduate program at LCU seminary, I served as a Teaching Assistant for four and a half years. Currently, I am in the dissertation stage of attaining a Doctor of Ministry degree in Advanced Biblical Preaching through Talbot School of Theology in La Mirada, California. |
 Tony RossCreative Arts Minister CreativeArts@centrallive.net Tony joined Central on February 7, 2010. Tony is a 2002 graduate of Lincoln Christian University with a B.A. in Music Ministry. He was the part-time Music Minister at Georgetown, Illinois, First Church of Christ starting in June of 2000 and became the full-time Music Minister in May of 2002. He and his wife, Meghan, have two sons, Landon and Simon. Some Favorites: Playing the guitar, having epic lightsaber battles with his two sons, and watching movies. |
 Jessica PastirikDirector of Involvement & Operations Involvement@centrallive.net After serving 11 years in the ministry at a non-profit child welfare agency, Jessica joined the office team in September of 2004. Her heart’s desire is to continue in service for Christ, to be continually growing, encouraging others, and going wherever He leads. Beginning October 1, 2011, Jessica moved into the position of Director of Involvement & Outreach Ministries. In July of 2018 she took on the additional roll of director of day to day operations. Jessica and her husband, Michael, have a daughter, a son and two grandchildren. Some Favorites: Baking, Cooking, Crab legs, Macaroons, Le Creuset, hosting her small group, and spending time with family and friends. |
 Paul WebsterFamily Minister Youth@centrallive.net Paul started pursuing youth ministry long before he became a full-time youth minister in June of 2008. Born and raised in Streator, he experienced the joy of having good mentors who loved and formed him through the youth ministry at Central Church of Christ and Woodland School. Paul dedicated his life to youth ministry at a CIY conference in the summer of 2001, attained his B.A. in Youth Ministry in 2008 from Lincoln Christian College (now Lincoln Christian University). In that year he also served as an intern at one of the 100 fastest growing churches in America, married his beautiful high school sweetheart, Tiffany, survived kidney cancer and moved to Havana, IL where he served as youth minister for 11 years. Paul, Tiffany and their two children moved back to Streator in March of 2019 when Paul took on the role of Family Minister at Central. His desire is to be a fully developed and devoted follower of Jesus Christ who sees others become fully developed and devoted followers as well. He is a disciple, husband to Tiffany and daddy to Alethea and Gabriel, a leader, a pastor, a musician and artist and a tech nerd…in that order. Some Favorites: Anything music related (listening, playing drums and guitar, singing), Fishing, Reading, Italian food |
 Debby EvansOffice Assistant Office@centrallive.net Debby has been serving at Central since 1997. She serves as the administrative assistant. She is the point person for ensuring the efficient and effective function of our church office. She supports Central’s ministry by performing secretarial, administrative, and office duties. She is the former editor of a weekly newspaper in Flanagan, where she lives with her husband, Larry. They have a daughter, Mary (Jim) Ashlock, and a son Mike (Kaitlyn) Evans, and two grandchildren. Some Favorites: Playing the flute in the Pontiac Municipal Band and the Bloomington Community Concert Band, sewing and reading. |
 Julie HappoldMinistry/Financial Secretary FinancialSecretary@centrallive.net Julie has been on staff at Central Church of Christ since March 2010. She serves in the main office as the Financial Secretary and has the pleasure of overseeing the church financial processes and assisting the ministerial staff to support ministry efforts. Julie has volunteered in many different ministries at Central during her lifetime, spending a lot of time in the Children’s department. Julie and her husband, Rob, were married in 1996. They live in Streator and enjoy spending time with their son. Some Favorites: Spending time with family and friends, watching movies, color Purple, listening to WBGL radio station, fiesta nachos, pizza, and popcorn. |
