Our Staff
REV. JONATHAN B. KROGH, PASTOR
Pastor Krogh has been our pastor since 2016 and continues to serve the congregation’s mission of inviting people into a life of meaning and purpose in Christ. A skilled communicator, Jonathan provides dynamic sermons challenging the congregation to see our current situation as God-given opportunity.
Born in Omaha, Nebraska, the youngest of five children, Jonathan’s parents, Oakley and Lottie Krogh, raised their children in a home filled with faith, music and bad jokes. Sensing a pastoral calling at an early age, Jonathan came to the University of Chicago pursuing a degree to complement his future ministry. Completing a BA in sociology, he remained at UChicago for two master’s degrees, Religious Studies and Divinity.
Jonathan loves to sing and work with his hands and continues his family tradition of off-beat humor, much to the dismay of his wife Dani. Jonathan and Dani have four grown children and six grandchildren. Their dog Aggi allows them to share her home in Chicago’s West Morgan Park neighborhood.
In addition to pastorates in Peotone, Kankakee and Morgan Park, Chicago, Jonathan has served as pastoral supply and moderator in St. Anne, IL, UChicago’s Rockefeller Chapel and in Chicago’s Bridgeport and Roseland communities. Jonathan served as a Pastoral Associate for Evergreen Park Ministry, a free ecumenical pastoral counseling center. He was also Director of Mission at Chicago’s Fourth Presbyterian Church. In addition to congregational ministry, Jonathan has served as a chaplain at the University of Chicago Hospitals and the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago. As an educator, he has served on the teaching faculty at the University of Chicago Divinity School and as adjunct faculty for two other area colleges; he is also a certified mediator and executive coach. In 2009, he published The Joshua Factor: Leadership Principles from an Ancient Warrior, Xlibris Press.
Kelly higgins, Director of Christian Education
Kelly graduated from the University of Illinois and received her Masters in Education from Pepperdine University. She taught third grade in Beverly Hills, California, and fifth grade in Lincoln Park. She and her husband Rob moved to La Grange in 1996, where they raised their three children, Ben, Will and Kate. While her children were young, Kelly volunteered at their school and at FPCLG. She began subbing at their elementary school and took on many long-term assignments over the years. Recently she has served as a Student Teacher Supervisor for the University of Illinois.
Jason Fahrenbach, Director of Music ministry
Jason conducts the Sanctuary Choir and Praise Team as well as coordinating the direction of the Handbell and Crusader Choirs. He has conducted the Sanctuary Choir in works such as Saint Saens’ “Christmas Oratorio,” Mozart’s “Missa Brevis” and Vivaldi’s “Gloria.” Jason is also the Music Technology/Chorus Teacher and Arts team leader at Walt Disney Magnet School in Chicago. He holds his Bachelors in Music Education from the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign, where he studied with Dr. Joe Grant and Dr. Chester Alwes, and his Masters in Education from North Park University. Jason currently resides in the Mayfair/Old Irving neighborhood of Chicago with his wife, Jayme McCullough.
Henry Sybrandy, Organist EMERitus
Henry graced the keyboard at our church for 43 years. In the summer of 2021, upon receiving the announcement of Henry’s retirement, the Session immediately conferred upon him the title Organist Emeritus in recognition of the congregation’s profound gratitude for his dedication, professionalism and artistry. Providing accompaniment for over 3,000 worship services, several hundred wedding ceremonies and memorial observances, not to mention thousands of hours in rehearsal with various choirs, it is impossible to overestimate Henry’s contribution to divine worship at FPCLG. To Learn more about Henry, our Aeolian-Skinner organ and to listen to the service celebrating Henry’s appointment to Organist Emeritus click here.
TYLER KIVEL, Organist
Tyler holds a Master of Music degree in piano performance and literature from the University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana. He earned his Bachelor of Music degree from Central Michigan University, with an emphasis in Collaborative Piano and Organ. Tyler has given performances as a soloist and chamber musician throughout the Midwest. As a soloist, Tyler has been featured with the Lakeshore Symphony Orchestra and the CMU Symphonic Wind Ensemble. He made his Chicago debut as the musical director of Thrones! The Musical Parody based on the hit television series Game of Thrones. Aside from his musical endeavors, Tyler enjoys working in organ restoration with Jeff Weiler Inc. restoring the king of instruments.
rev. DOREEN STERBA DE ZUR, DIRECtoR OF HANDBELL CHOIR
Doreen directs the handbell choir at our church for both youth and adults. She has taught general music in both public and parochial schools while maintaining a private piano studio for over 30 years as well as directing children’s and youth choirs in the school systems and in churches. She also has given piano concerts throughout the Midwest and in the Yucatan. Doreen was ordained in 2015 in the PCUSA as a teaching elder, having completed her M.Div. degree in 2014. One of her additional passions is hands-on mission involvement both within local areas and in Mexico. Doreen and her husband Brad enjoy downtime with their rescue beagles, Laska and Gracie.
Gregory Mc Daniel, Director of Children’s Music
Greg has performed, studied and taught music for many years and is currently working towards his B.A. in Music Education. Over the years, he has learned how to play various instruments, which has given him a well-rounded understanding of musical concepts. Greg enjoys working with the children of the congregation, helping them develop their own musical abilities. In addition to directing the children’s choir, he also brings his musical talents to Faith Forest (Sunday School), the yearly Christmas pageant, Vacation Bible School and the spring musical. He has lived in Hickory Hills for twenty years with his wife Paula and has three children.
sheri benson, nursery caregiver
Sheri grew up in Western Springs and has lived in La Grange for 28 years. She has been faithfully serving in the Nursery at FPCLG since 2000! Sheri loves interacting with the children. In her free time, she enjoys needlework, especially cross stitch, and reading.
Lynn Perez-Tamayo, nursery caregiver
Lynn has worn many hats throughout her life (and moved around quite a bit!). Born in NY, she grew up in the Bay Area of California, worked as an RN in Northern California, then headed to the other side of the country (NC… to be with family) where she met and married her husband, Anthony. They had two boys while living there (Peter and Sam), then moved to La Grange Park for two years, then back to NY for two more years and finally landed in La Grange! Lynn has always tried to stay physically active (she’s run the Chicago Marathon) and practices yoga and walks in nature while listening to podcasts. She enjoys the fact that being with the little ones in the FPCLG Nursery keeps her on her toes!
richard foulke, Church Accountant
Rick joined our staff in July 2021 as Church Accountant. He is a graduate of Purdue University and has an MBA degree from Indianapolis University along with many years of experience in accounting and as Treasurer and Trustee of a non-profit organization involved in education and research. Rick moved to Elmhurst in 1986 with his wife, Lucinda, where they still reside. Rick and Lucinda have three grown children.
Jen Stockbridge, Administrative Assistant
Jen and her husband Paul have been church members since 2000. They served as editors of the Church & Home newsletter for six years, and Jen joined our staff in 2005. She has also volunteered with children’s ministries, the Vacation Bible School Planning Team, the Communications Committee and the Scholarship Committee. She graduated from DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana, with a major in education and a minor in psychology, received a Masters degree from National-Louis University and taught elementary school for seven years.