Staff & CLT
Pastor Lou Quetel
Pastor Louis Quetel started his service as Senior Pastor at Rejoice Lutheran in November of 2004. Pastor Lou studied at The City University of New York, Wheaton College – where he earned a BA in Biblical Studies and met his wife, Jeanette – Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary where he received his Masters in Divinity, and he earned his Doctorate in Ministry from The Lutheran School of Theology in Chicago. He was ordained in 1980.
Pastor Lou took the call to join Rejoice sensing there was a very special energy and exuberant joy amongst the congregation. He feels we are blessed with talented and optimistic servant-leaders who want to make a difference for Christ; from the love and deep spirit of welcoming to newcomers, to our service to others both close to home and abroad, to the mentoring and investment in our youth. He is inspired by the way each age group is encouraged to grow their faith, use their gifts and become servant-leaders themselves! With Pastor Lou’s leadership, the people of Rejoice aspire to be disciples of Jesus while creating and encouraging new disciples! He is known for his caring and compassionate heart, energizing and insightful sermons, and enthusiasm for guiding Rejoice to fulfill – with energy, passion and love – the mission that God has given us: to create a place where God is worshipped, community is shared, and lives are changed!
Pastor Lou and Jeanette recently celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary and they have two young adult daughters, Allison and Emily, and recently welcomed his first grandsons - twins! Pastor Lou is a native of New York City and has also been in business and was a college teacher at Lewis University and Joliet Junior College, teaching courses in ethics, the history of philosophy and an introduction to the Old Testament. When he has free time, Pastor Lou loves to travel, read historical biographies and the classics (his favorite is Moby Dick), enjoys listening to classical music as well as classic rock and plays a mean set of drums!
Jake Fry - Director of Youth and Family Ministry
Jake joined Rejoice as our Director of Youth and Family Ministry in August 2008. Jake heads up Rejoice's dynamic youth ministries: Matrix for grades 6 through 8, and Summit for high school. Through relevant biblical teaching, small group relationships with adult mentors, fellowship with other Christian teens, retreats and opportunities to serve in the community, the Matrix and Summit groups aim to outfit students for service and ministry leadership as they become more devoted followers of Christ.
Jake grew up in Elgin and attended Judson University where he received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Youth Ministry and Adolescent Studies in May of 2003. After college, he moved to Santa Cruz, CA where he met his wife Dana. He started professional youth ministry part-time in Santa Cruz leading worship for a high school group at Twin Lakes Church. From there, he and Dana moved to Scottsdale, AZ and and Jake served as the Director of Youth Ministries at Shepherd of the Desert Lutheran Church.
He is passionate about music and loves to worship the Lord through the vehicle of song. He's an avid guitar player, loves to be outside and his favorite thing to do is surf. He loves the ocean, but is willing to settle for Lake Michigan. In December 2008 he and Dana welcomed their first child, a daughter named Jocelyn.
Patrick Moynihan - Director of Music
Patrick first became involved at Rejoice by playing bass for the ensemble at age 17. Now over a decade later, he is our Director of Music, leading the music component of our worship through contemporary song and composition. He leads a weekly-rotating ensemble of musicians committed to praise in worship, where the members believe in making a connection to Christ in both Word and song and in challenging and encouraging one another in discipleship.
Patrick has been inspired and encouraged by seeing God through the people of Rejoice. Throughout his years with Rejoice, he has seen the community not only grow in size but also in faith and to see His reflection in their lives inspires Patrick to strive to grow in his own faith. Says Patrick, “My faith has been formed within this community. I began my life at Rejoice in an entirely unexpected way. I found myself surrounded by love, compassion, acceptance, and a genuine sense and presence of God. I could only ask to be more involved. Now ten years later I’m watching our entire community rewrite who we are TOGETHER. I cannot be more excited about the action that God creates among us!”
Outside of Rejoice, Patrick is a musician and owner of Waveform Audio. He says he is a hillbilly at heart, with a true passion for country music. He recently recorded his first country CD called “Still Life” which is a compilation of some songs he hopes to publish some day. Ultimately, he wants to move from performing live to writing and recording for other musicians. Patrick and his wife Jana were married at Rejoice in September 2008.
Angel Slawinski - Interim Director of Children's Ministries
Suzanne Warner - Business Manager
On staff since 2003, Suzanne has responsibility for the areas of administration, finance and facility management – admittedly not very flashy! Usually we make her sit in her corner and crunch numbers, but sometimes we let her out to organize something.
Being in the office during the week brings the wonderful privilege of sharing God’s love and grace in unexpected moments, so Suzanne always tries to put “people before paperwork,” which can be tricky given the piles of paper always on her desk. She especially enjoys Tuesday staff meetings because not only are they Spirit filled as the group prays and plans - they are loud and fun!
Suzanne is married to Brian, a St. Charles native, and they have three children: Sarah, a recent college grad who lives and works in Chicago, Anna, a college Senior, and Scott, a college Freshman. When not at Rejoice, Suzanne is trying to catch up on her reading, is part of a College Moms in Touch prayer group, and serves at her home church. Brian and Suzanne enjoy both their newly empty nest and spending time with their kids. Suzanne feels honored and blessed to serve among such the creative and generous people who are this faith community.
Julie Douglas - Director of Communications Ministry
Julie has been a part of the Rejoice team since 2007 when she began as the part-time administrative assistant. She very much considers coming to work for Rejoice as a "God thing." She was a stay-at-home mom whose children were both going to begin attending school full-time that fall, and she was looking for an opportunity to fill her days with some volunteer work. "Then I saw the ad in Connections for an administrative assistant, and it clicked for me. I felt God telling me dust off that resume!" she remembers.
With the addition of a newly refurbished website, weekly emailed newsletters, social networking, and a growing group of ministries and missions, her title was recently changed to reflect an intentional communication ministry at Rejoice. "I like to say I have the best job in the world," she says. "I get to think of effective communication strategies to help people build a relationship with Rejoice and with God!"
Originally from Minnesota, Julie attended Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, MN and earned a bachelor's degree in political science and Russian Studies. Julie is married to Mick and they have two daughters, Maddie and Claire. She is also involved with children's ministry as a teacher for the 5th grade youth group, Justice League, and sings with the ensemble. She enjoys rollerblading, traveling, cooking and spending time with a good book.
Hugh Brems - Facilities Manager
Hugh has been a member of the Rejoice staff since 2005, helping to maintain our grounds and facilities, ensuring it is ready to support all areas of ministry. He and his wife Joan have been a member of Rejoice for many years, and remember the years when we worshipped in the Geneva Middle School lunch room!
Hugh says that Rejoice has provided him with countless opportunities to serve God's people and have wonderful faith discussions. He calls on the Parable of the Wedding Banquet in Matthew 22 when asked what his vision is for Rejoice. He says, "I believe Rejoice is called to be the king's "servants." We are called to go into the mission field and invite people to the feast. God can use us to "change lives!"
Hugh has served on our church council, is active in Men's CRHP, Koinonia, and the ensemble, is a mentor for our junior high Matrix group and has participated in several mission trips throughout the years. His passion is model trains and hot rods and his 3 young granddaughters who keep him on his toes!