Rev. Mark Oehlert
Pastor
E-Mail

"It is a remarkable privilege for me to be Pastor of St. John’s in Sterling, IL!!"

Hometown: Sycamore, IL
Favorite Hobby: Live music of many kinds, being around water, exercise, reading, being with friends
Favorite TV Show: I enjoy movies with substance more than TV shows.
First Job: Newspaper delivery
Favorite Church Season: Easter, especially the Easter Vigil when well done.
Favorite Religious Figure: St. Paul, because with God there is always hope for every human being.
Who has had the most influence on you: Jesus Christ
Favorite Subject in school: Theology – there are so many profound writers
Least favorite subject in school: Statistics
Bet you didn’t know that: I have five siblings who are great people in my life

Rev. Leo Patterson
Assisting/Visitation Pastor
E-Mail

"What a Joy to be the Visitation Pastor! The Lord is using me to help people prepare for Heaven!"

Hometown: Dixon, IL
Favorite Hobby: Miniature Golf
Favorite TV Show: Law & Order
First Job: Bailing Hay
Favorite Church Season: Epiphany
Favorite Religious Figure: The late Dr. Norman Vincent Peale
Who has had the most influence on you: My parents & church members
Favorite Subject in school: History & Economics
Least favorite subject in school: Math
Bet you didn’t know that: I love to sing in the church praise band. All the songs we sing are my favorites.

Photo Coming Soon!

Ted Carnahan
Intern
E-Mail

Hometown: Manchester, MO
Favorite Hobby: Computers
Favorite TV Show: House M.D.
First Job: Cashier at Target
Favorite Church Season: Holy Week
Favorite Religious Figure: Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Who has had the most influence on you: Jesus Christ
Favorite Subject in school: Physics, Statistics, Computer Science
Least favorite subject in school: Chemistry
Bet you didn’t know that: I don't own a television, but there are more computers than people in my house!

Photo Coming Soon!

Karen Wolfe
Director of Faith Foundation Ministries
E-mail


 

Bio Coming Soon!

          Nina Peters
         Office Manager
        E-Mail

"I just love, love, love it here at St. John's! You have a wonderful compassionate supportive staff and congregation and I feel truly blessed to have been chosen to work here."

Hometown: Forreston, IL
Favorite Hobby: Spending time with my two granddaughters Abby & Marissa, flower gardening, walking, reading a good book
Favorite TV Show: CSI, Dancing with the Stars
Favorite Church Season: Christmas
Favorite Religious Figure: Jesus
Who has had the most influence on you: My sister
Favorite Subject in school: Science
Least favorite subject in school: History
Bet you didn’t know that: I love to ride go-carts! 

Andrew Stutzke
Newsletter/System Administrator
E-Mail

"I couldn't have asked for a better job! Working for my own congregation has been a privilege & unforgettable experience that I will carry with me forever!"

Hometown: Sterling, IL
Favorite Hobby: Studying & Observing Weather
Favorite TV Show: I enjoy a wide spectrum of reality shows. I also watch the news allot.
First Job: Working the Fruit Stand for the former Poci's Rock River Gardens
Favorite Church Season: Christmas
Favorite Religious Figure: Jesus & Noah
Who has had the most influence on you: My family & friends
Favorite Subject in school: Environmental Science
Least favorite subject in school: Chemistry
Bet you didn’t know that: I want to be a Broadcast Meteorologist (aka: TV Weatherman) after college!

Julie McCord
Choirmaster
E-Mail

"The choir at St. John's is made up of the most truly wonderful and dedicated people. I appreciate and feel so blessed to have been given this opportunity!"

Hometown: Palatine, IL
Favorite Hobby: Karaoke
Favorite TV Show: My all-time favorite show is "Little House on the Prairie", but I also love "American Idol", and "Dancing With The Stars", and "Project Runway". I'm addicted to the soap-opera "One Life To Live"
First Job: Working at Mr. Donut when I was 15
Favorite Church Season: Christmas
Favorite Religious Figure: Mary
Who has had the most influence on you: My parents and also the many teachers who encouraged me, especially my high school band director Rick Peterson
Favorite Subject in school: Band
Least favorite subject in school: Electronics 101 at NIU...what was I thinking even taking that?
Bet you didn’t know that: I composed the School Song for the Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago

Photo Coming Soon!

Janel Stahr
Minister of Music
E-Mail

"It is truly a blessing for my family to be welcomed to St. John's. We are looking forward to worshipping with you as I pursue my calling to music ministry.”

Hometown: Chadwick, IL
Favorite Hobby: Creating beaded jewelry
Favorite TV Show: Currently addicted to "Law & Order" and any of its spin-offs
First Job: Babysitting
Favorite Church Season: Holy Week for the emotion and Pentecost for the music
Favorite Religious Figure: King David and Job
Who has had the most influence on you: My parents, grandparents and husband
Favorite Subject in school: Choir, of course! And I am a grammar and spelling nut, so I also enjoyed English.
Least favorite subject in school: Social studies, but oddly, I am very interested in politics now.
Bet you didn’t know that: I have never seen a "Star Wars" movie.
 

Diana Wolf
Custodial - Education Building
E-Mail

Hometown: Rockford, IL
Favorite TV Show: Are You Smarter Than A Fifth Grader
First Job: Waitress at JC Penney Cafe
Favorite Religious Figure: Jesus
Who has had the most influence on you: My daughter
Favorite Subject in school: Art
Least favorite subject in school: History/Government

Alex Ramirez
Custodial - Worship Building

Hometown: Sterling, IL
Favorite Hobby: Taking care of property gives me satisfaction
Favorite TV Show: Anything sports
First Job: Paperboy for the Gazette
Favorite Church Season: Easter
Favorite Religious Figure: Jesus
Who has had the most influence on you: My wife, very insightful, great advice
Favorite Subject in school: History, Mr. Sprasue turned me on to history
Least favorite subject in school: English
Bet you didn’t know that: I enjoy playing video games