Meet Our Staff
Our team of committed and passionate staff are excited to get to know you and welcome you to our community.
Pastors
Jeffry Bross
Rev. Jeffry Bross
Lead PastorAs the son of a United Methodist Church (UMC) Pastor and a Christian Educator, Pastor Jeffry grew up in the church and by the time he graduated high school, had done almost everything there was to do as a volunteer and leader in the church, including being a General Conference delegate in 1988 as a high school senior. He attended Lawrence University with a degree in Government and attained his Master of Divinity from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary in Chicago. He deeply loves the UMC and its foundational principles of love, justice and rich theology of grace. Jeffry is excited about preaching, teaching, mission work, pastoral care and wants ALL people to feel the love that the church has to offer.
In his spare time, he loves gardening, fishing, hunting, grilling, cooking and being with his children. He does understand that he is in Illinois and so asks forgiveness as he is a Packer fan. Be sure to say hi to him after service or during the week. He would love to talk to you!
Lino Aragon
Pastor Lino Aragon
PastorLino Aragon met his wife, Xiomara Aragon Castro, 24 years ago at a United Methodist church, where he has been an active member ever since. Over the years, Lino has served the local church in various capacities, including as a Special Events Coordinator, Lay Speaker at the Northern Illinois Conference level, Certified Lay Servant, and District Superintendent Supply. For the past three years, he has been a Licensed Local Pastor, balancing this role with his full-time secular job while continuing his education at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary.
Recently, the bishop appointed Lino to serve as an Associate Pastor at UMCL on a full-time basis. His previous career involved extensive work with the public, which has deepened his commitment to advocating for unity rather than division. Lino enjoys music, gardening, and cooking, with his favorite moments being those spent enjoying dinner with his family. Together with his wife, Xiomara, who is also a pastor and teacher, and their daughter, who is in her final year of university, Lino treasures family time and values the close-knit bonds they share.
Ministry Leadership
Annemarie Barry
(Birth-Adult Education Ministries)
Annemarie Barry
Director of Spiritual GrowthAnnemarie has a lifetime of teaching children about God’s unconditional love. She has worked with children from Pre-school to 10th grade. Her favorite part of working with children is making the Bible come to life and showing the connections between the Old and New Testament. She believes in the power of prayer, and that service is a way to connect communities and bring Christ into the lives of others.
In her spare time, she enjoys photography and working in her garden.
Music Ministry Leaders
Jim Grace
Jim Grace
Director of MusicJim has been a part of the music ministries at UMCL for over 6 decades and delights worshipers with a variety of music from traditional worship hymns to folk hymns sung a cappella. When asked about his dream job, he says he has it! Jim shares his musical talents in our traditional Sunday services along with a variety of guest musicians and vocalists. Jim also leads the Heritage Bell Choir that fills the sanctuary with glorious sounds monthly.
Music has always been Jim’s passion, and he has spent his life as both student and teacher with degrees in Music Education and two Masters degrees in Music and Education Administration. When Jim is not behind a keyboard, you can find him spending time with his family and traveling to his favorite spot, Door County Wisconsin.
Jeff Brown
Director
Jeff Brown
Director of Adult ChoirJoining UMCL in 2000, Jeff has been a big part of our music program leading our adult choir in everything from traditional songs of praise to spirituals sung a cappella. Originally from the East Texas area, Jeff received his bachelor's and master's degrees in music from Stephen F. Austin State University. He received his Doctor of Musical Arts in Choral Conducting from Michigan State University in 2002. Jeff also serves as the Director of Choirs for Libertyville High School where he has led performance tours for students throughout the U.S. and Europe.
When not leading others in song, you can find Jeff with his wife Eryn and their four children, Alex, Owen, Henry and Loie. Jeff enjoys entertainment, live music, sports and spending time with family and friends.
administrative Staff
linda christian
Linda Christian
Business ManagerLinda previously worked at Cancer Treatment Centers of America, as a manager at Illinois Bell/Ameritech, and as an office administrator serving in several churches. These roles allowed her to use her talents to serve God and advance mission work, applying principles of excellence and stewardship to ministry operations and outreach programs. Linda's hobbies include baking, sailing, and bowling, but she especially loves to spend family time with her son Scott, her Grandson Dakota and her little dogs Cookie and Chloe.
Eugene Cha
Eugene Cha
Technology CoordinatorEugene believes that living in a deep relationship with Christ brings out the best in all of us. To bring that message to others, he (and a team of wonderful collaborators) produces the Sunday worship service as a multimedia experience for in-person and online audiences. He is married and has three children. He enjoys board games and playing and watching sports. Golf, tennis, and basketball are his favorites.
Faith Reidinger
Faith Reidinger
Administrative Assistant and Communications SpecialistFaith Reidinger has been aiding Methodist churches across Lake and Cook county for the past year in their administrative departments. After graduating with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting from Millikin University in 2025, she has found a joy in translating her passion for storytelling and background in customer service into getting churches and their resources out into the community with warmth, welcoming, and grace. When she’s not working or performing, Faith can be found filling in a crossword, trying out new sushi spots with her partner, or watching the BBC’s 1990 Pride and Prejudice miniseries for the millionth time.