New Life Church - Where Lives Come Together

Senior Pastor: Primary Preacher and Administrator

Leads our Church Staff and Church Council

His background 

Headline version – Lawyer becomes Pastor!

Jul grew up in Fulton, Illinois, as a hog farmer’s son. 

He graduated from Trinity Christian College in

Palos Heights, with a BA and then went on to graduate

from the University of Florida Law School. 

After six years as a practicing attorney, Jul and

his wife, Jackie, (who is from Lansing, Illinois)

left Florida to attend Calvin Theological Seminary

in Grand Rapids, Michigan. In 1995, Pastor Jul,

Jackie and their two children moved back to

Northern Illinois to start a new church in the

Lincoln-Way area.   

New Life Trivia

Pastor Jul and Pastor Todd have known each other

since the 1^st grade. They attended the same grade

school, high school and even college together!

Pastor Jul loves sports, history, reading and traveling

with his family. A dream trip would be to visit both

Cooperstown and Gettysburg in the same trip. 

By the way, he does have a few books on lawyer jokes! 

Favorite Current TV Shows:  Heroes, Studio 60 on the

Sunset Strip, Lost and House!

Big Question for 2007 – How will Jul and Jackie

celebrate their 25^th Wedding Anniversary? 

(Are they really that “mature?”)

click here to email Pastor Jul

______________________________________________

His specialty

Encouraging and developing leaders.  Building teams. 

Bringing people together to be the Church in each

others life.  Counseling with individuals or couples.

Best advice ever received

From my Father on one of the many fishing outings

we had… when you go to cast your line out look

what is behind you first to make sure you can get

to where you are casting towards.

Best advice he uses

from a wise greenhouse grower…

Each day start by assessing the crops first before

you start taking care of them that day. Applied to

ministry… don’t assume what

people need until you get to know them.

What makes him laugh

Monty Python (British humor)

That 70’s Show

People who are too serious

(although I usually have to laugh inwardly)

Little children’s honesty

When I think about it many things

make me laugh (it is good medicine)

click here to email Pastor Todd
______________________________________________

His specialty

Associate Pastor working with Staff Development,
Congregational Care and Discipleship.

Best advice ever received

"Tell the truth Rog, you're a lousy liar".  Given to me by a former boss when he was investigating the circumstances around some damage to company property.

Best advice he uses

Proverbs 3:5-6 -- "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge
him, and he will direct your path." Not a day goes by that I
don't recall these words and try to put my trust in the Lord.

What makes him laugh

Lots of things... funny stories, absurd circumstances,
my grand children, Mary, funny faces, my friend,
funny movies...

Five ways to describe Roger - more details
People Person
     - I like people and am intersted in their lives
Sports - I like sports ...
     - I have played baseball, basketball, football, soccer,
       tennis, golf, raquetball, softball.  I still play golf and
       enjoy watching soccer, football, baseball and golf.
Family - I love my family - my parents, siblings, children,
       grandchildren are all very important to me. I love being
       a husband to Sue and a father to my children.
Adventurous  - I love the adventure that God has me on.
Integrity - it is important to me to be as authentic
       as I can before God and before God's people.

Click here to email Pastor Roger

 ______________________________________________

Her specialty

Putting together age-appropriate curriculum and
working with kids.

Best advice ever received

No matter what, treat others with the
respect that you want them to give to you.

______________________________________________

Laurie Groenewold
Administrative Assistant
to all of staff

What makes her laugh

Her girlfriends

Her kids

Her husband-sometimes he tries so
hard to be funny, I have to laugh.

Best advice/advice to live by

It came from my dad . . . to build up treasures
in heaven. When he died I found out how much
building he had been doing and I had absolutely
no idea. I want to be like that.