Leadership and Staff
Staff | Elders | Deacons | Deaconesses | Directors | Recording Secretary
Church Staff
Rick Shenk, Senior Pastor
Rick was born in Lancaster, PA and grew up in center-city Philly where his father was a missions pastor in a United Methodist Church. The family later moved to Lebanon, PA. While attending Wheaton College he met his wife, Lynne Giddy, who was studying Chemistry and Education while he studied Physics and Bible (1978).
After serving in the Naval Reserve for a few years, Rick worked at Fermi National Accelerator Lab for many years and also attended Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. During this time, their children Elsbeth and Nathan were born. In 1985, they moved to Ogallala, NE where Rick served as Pastor of the First Baptist Church (BGC) and continued working for FemiLab as a consultant. In 1992 they moved to Mundelein, IL where they served Calvary Baptist Church (BGC) for over 15 years. In August 2007, Rick & Lynne came to Village Church. Their children are grown and Nathan lives in CA where he is finishing his M.A. Elsbeth married Nik Grosfield shortly after Rick came to Village and they live in Bozeman, MT.
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Butch Novitsky, Pastor of Discipleship Ministry
Village Church has a core value that every believer is charged with making disciples. This is most effectively done by being in a healthy relationship with one another. As pastor of Discipleship and Connection, I oversee our home based Growth Group and Men’s Ministry, along with helping the Village family connect with one another whether new to Village or a long time attendee.
I, along with Violet, my wife of 43 years, have been a member of Village Church for 24 years serving in a number of leadership roles. I came on staff following my retirement from a secular sales position in the electronic industry. I believe our church must provide a growing knowledge of the Bible which, when applied, results in living a dynamic, fluid relationship with God through which we learn to hear the voice of God and move in response to Him. Our Growth Group Ministry provides a vital lab in which small groups of people interact with God’s Word and apply it to their lives. These groups also are our primary means for discipleship, loving and caring for one another and becoming more like Christ in our character.
If you would like to know more about Village Church and its ministries, please
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.
Janice Van Arnam, Director of Family Discipleship
I grew up in Nisswa, MN in a home where Jesus was taught and lived by my parents. I was blessed to have parents that intentionally taught us about Jesus as our Lord and Savior. I attended Crown College and graduated with a double major in Business Administration and Christian Education in December 2003. During college I did a youth and children’s ministry internship in Belgrade, MT. After graduation I started volunteering as youth leader at our former church in Eden Prairie, MN where I met my husband. We were both volunteer youth leaders. My husband, Andy, and I started attending Village in the fall of 2008. We didn’t come to Village with any intention for me to work at the church, but God had other plans. In September 2009 Andy and I started as volunteer youth leaders at Village. In January 2010 I was asked to be the interim youth pastor which quickly became a Youth and Children’s Director role as Village searched for a replacement. In June 2010 I became the full-time Pastor of Family Discipleship.
I can honestly say that I love the ministry of Village. I love watching and being part of God changing hearts and minds of children and parents as they surrender their lives to Him. I get to work with incredible volunteers that have a desire for our children and their parents to know and love God. My husband Andy and I are blessed to be parents of two little girls, Aubrey (4 ½ years) and Acacia (2 years). Our home is filled with pink, dolls, drama, and laughter as our girls say and do the funniest things. As a parent, my greatest joy is watching my own children delight in Jesus as they sing, play and learn Bible verses.
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Mary Leffler, Office Manager
I serve as Office Manager at Village Church. It is my responsibility to make sure the office and church run smoothly in every aspect. I oversee all operational and business aspects of the Church including office equipment, human resources, banking, medical and building insurance, IRA/403(b) accounts, and maintenance. I oversee our weekly news publication, and coordinate communications between church leadership and our congregation. In order to accomplish all of this, I work closely with a team of volunteers. If you are interested in serving as a volunteer at the church, please This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
During my first years at Village I did not see my job as a ministry. I was all work, get it done, do it right, perform. However, God has shown me another side of my “job.” He has taught me how to combine my listening skills with my spiritual gifts of discernment, mercy and faith. God has blessed me with a wonderful ministry to the church volunteers and many others who have contacted the church for help or information. I feel blessed to be able to work at Village Church!
Elders
Tim Huff
Church Chairman - This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Rich Palmer
Elder Chairman - This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Eric Gafkjen
Elder - This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Scott Harris
Elder - This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Craig Sixta
Elder - This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Deacons
Community Life
Patty Heitke
Family Discipleship
Joel Schmidt
Finance
Andrew Chasse
World Discipleship
Dorrie Ondracek
Small Group
Art Lammey
Deaconess Board
Bea Guntzel - Chair
Donna Anderson
Melanie Hoiland
Cindy Huff
Laurie Motzko
Julie Oeffling
Directors
Music and Worship
Natalie Palmer
Recording Secretary
Kris Abrahamson