Senior Pastor

Greg has been here three years, called by the unanimous vote of the congregation. He did his undergraduate work at Shorter College in Rome, Georgia, and did his graduate work at Golden Gate Theological Seminary in Mill Valley, California, and Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. He is married to Rebecca Huguley, and they have one son, Sam. He hopes to engage the community with the love of Christ, helping people to not only find and follow Christ, but also to continue to grow in their faith journey. He says that more and more he holds on to the guidance of II Corinthians 5:7 – “We live by faith, not by sight.”

Executive Pastor

Vic Glavach has been at First Baptist Church for eleven years, serving as Executive Pastor.  He studied journalism at Morton College in Cicero , finished his bachelor’s degree in Christian Education at The King’s College in New York , and did a Master’s degree in Christian Education at Wheaton College .  He also completed a year of law school at Northern Illinois University .  His professional experience includes service in several churches and Christian non-profit organizations.  In addition he served as Legislative Assistant to a United States Senator.  His wife is Betsey Glavach. They have one daughter, two sons and eight grandchildren. Vic became a Christian when he was ten years old. One of his favorite verses is Romans 15:13, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

Pastor of Ministry Development / Director of Counseling

Jason Poland has been at First Baptist Since 2004.  Jason has a BA in Psychology from Taylor University and a MA in Counseling Psychology from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School.  He is licensed by the state of Illinois as a clinical professional counselor (LCPC).  Jason oversees the professional counseling staff at First Baptist Counseling Services as well as providing marital and individual counseling.  He has served in para church organizations as well as maintaining a private counseling practice for years.  On the pastoral staff he works with leadership in the continued development of ministries that are focused on intentional discipleship.  Mostly Jason enjoys time with his wife Lisa and his two young girls, Ashley and Olivia.  In his time off he has a number of hobbies, the most recent is  a salt water aquarium.  Two years ago Ashley wanted a fish, she now has Nemo and Rainbow two clown fish that inhabit a 14 gallon reef.

Pastor of Student Ministries

John Daniel Hoth is in his second year serving First Baptist as Pastor of Student Ministries. JD did his undergraduate work in psychology at Illinois State University and earned an M.A. in counseling ministry from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. His passion is to lead students to become fully devoted followers of Christ. His life verse is Proverbs 3: 5-6: “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.”

Director of High School Ministries

Josh Lee is in his third year as Director of Youth for First Baptist. He organizes the Sunday night Senior High meetings and the mission trips for Senior High. He is a freshman at Moody Bible Institute, majoring in Pastoral Studies. He feels strongly that teens are best reached through service and strives to help them use the gifts and abilities God has given them. His life verse is I Timothy 4:12: “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.”

Director of Children’s Ministries

Dan Reed is the Director of Children’s Ministries at First Baptist. He has been attending this church almost his entire life. His father, Willis Reed, came to be Senior Pastor here in 1956. Dan did his undergraduate work at Judson and then earned a Master’s degree in education at Temple University in Philadelphia, specializing in working with emotionally disturbed children. He is married to Audrey Reed, and they have three sons. He was a classroom teacher for 39 years, including 13 years teaching in Special Education and 25 years as a third grade teacher. His life verse is Philippians 2:5-8: “Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death – even death on a cross!”

Interim Director of Worship

Francis Kaggwa has been the Interim Director of Worship since Sept. 2009. He is originally from Kampala, Uganda and is studying Music Ministry at Judson University. He designs the worship services, arranges the music and conducts rehearsals with the worship team. Francis’ favorite verse is Lamentations 3:22: “Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.”

Administrative Assistant

Sandy Brotzman joined First Baptist when she married Paul Brotzman 48 years ago and has served as Administrative Assistant in the church office about eleven years. Sandy also worked ten years in Special Creations office and served two years as an interim youth pastor. Besides taking care of all the day-to-day activities in the church office, she puts together the newsletter every month and every Wednesday evening she is blessed as she works with the Awana Cubbies. She and Paul have three children and seven grandchildren.

Administrative Assistant

Linda Young took on the job of Administrative Assistant in the church office over seven years ago, but she’s been a member here for 33 years. She graduated from Judson, majoring in Human Relations (Psychology/Sociology). She is married to Mike Young and has two grown children. She handles the administrative work for First Baptist Counseling doing the billing, insurance claims, appointments and reports. In the church office she does a variety of tasks: answering the phone, sending out mailings, projects and assisting the pastors as needed.

Financial Secretary

Nancy Miller has been a member of First Baptist since 1945, when she and her mother were baptized here together. She has served as the Financial Secretary since February of 2000, keeping track of all the income and expenses for First Baptist. She grew up in Elgin, attending Elgin High and Elgin Community College. She earned a degree in Business Education at Northern University. Nancy has a daughter and a son and three grandkids. Her husband, Louis, passed away in 2003.

Co-Commanders for Awana

Randy and Janet Kmieciak have been attending First Baptist since 1988. They are Co-Commanders for Awana. They consider their most important task to be exposing kids to the Gospel, but they also coordinate all the activities and volunteers, order supplies, and generally keeping things running smoothly. Janet and Randy have been very active in the church over the years. They have taught Sunday School, participated in drams, served as Junior High Youth Leaders and many other things. Randy is also a sound tech and runs a men’s Bible study. Janet has done a lot of work in children’s ministries. Janet’s life verse is Romans 12: 1-2: “Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

Maintenance Supervisor

Paul Brotzman has attended First Baptist since he was about four or five years old. Over the years he has served the church in many ways, including serving as Chair of the Board of Deacons (twice), and Treasurer. He currently volunteers as the Maintenance Supervisor and works with Awana. He says that working with the children in Awana is a wonderful blessing. Paul and Sandy have team taught all ages from 4 yr olds through adults. Paul and Sandy have been married for 48 years. They have three children and seven grandchildren.

Nursery Coordinator

Rosemary Unger is in her third year as the Nursery Coordinator, making sure the nursery is staffed during both Sunday services. She is also active in various children’s ministries, such as the Christmas programs and Vacation Bible School. She wants parents to see the love of Jesus being shared with the children and hopes this will encourage them to become involved in the children’s ministry. Rosemary is married to David Unger and has two children. She is currently attending Judson University. One of her favorite verses is Philippians 4:13: “I can do everything through him who gives me strength.”