Dr. Schwenk was born in New York where he was the oldest of three children. His family then came to the Chicago area and moved to the northwestern part of Illinois. Dr. Schwenk’s bride, Katie, was raised in Naperville, Illinois, and they met at Augustana College in Rock Island, IL. He did his medical/dental training at the University of Illinois in Chicago and practiced for 21 years. He then went on to Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary where he earned his Master of Divinity degree in Pastoral Ministries. The Schwenks have four blessings in their children—Joshua, Kaitlyn, Noah and Jonah. Dr. Schwenk and Katie realize more than ever what the free gift of salvation means to them. In doing so, they are enthusiastic and intentional about sharing the truth of God through the love of God by the example of God in the lives of those around them. A favorite Bible verse is Romans 1:16 which says, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.” (ESV).

Pastor Andrew Billington grew up in West Virginia and New York, but has lived in Wisconsin for over five years. While he was living in Door County, he was the youth director for First Baptist Church of Sister Bay. During that time he married Bethany, and a short time later they move to Green Bay where Andrew completed his Bachelor of Arts in Pastoral Ministry through Clear Creek Baptist Bible College.

Andrew has family in Green Bay and Door County while Bethany’s family lives in New Hampshire. They both enjoy hiking, playing games together, and spending time with friends. Ultimately, their desire is to serve the Lord with their lives, and to put Him above all else. Andrew’s favorite passage of scripture is Matthew 6:25-34 which includes: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?”

Pastor Jesse Smith was born and raised in Rhinelander, WI.  He was saved in college where he also met his wife, Kim.

After graduating from UWSP, Jesse taught elementary school in central Wisconsin for 8 years. During this time he was called to serve as an elder in his local church.  Later he was called to the Milwaukee area where he served as Pastor of Family Discipleship and Christian Education for 5 1/2 years before being called to CEFC.

Kim and Jesse’s favorite hobby is chasing their five children Emmett, Eliana, Eden, Samuel, Ivy, along with their foster son, Landyn.  They love being outdoors, enjoying a nice meal, and the rare peace and quiet of their house at night when the kids are asleep.

Jesse is passionate about preaching the Gospel and discipling youth and families.  His favorite Bible verse is Philippians 2:5-8 which says, “Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”

Carmen is CEFC’s Office Administrator and is the friendly voice you hear when you call CEFC! She and her husband Steve enjoy the outdoors, hunting, and skiing.

Steve grew up on the South side of Chicago and settled in Rockford, IL after graduating from Rockford College. Carmen grew up in Madison WI and spent most of her adult life in Rockford. Steve and Carmen met through the Rockford School District, where Steve was a teacher and administrator and Carmen was a representative for Herff Jones. After being married a few years they moved to Michigan and built a home on Grass Lake. They have six grown children, 5 grandchildren plus another on the way. One family lives in Atlanta, one granddaughter is an exchange student in Japan and the rest live in northern Illinois.