Bob Smart – Lead Pastor Bob is from a small town along Lake Michigan, Ogden Dunes. As the youngest of six children, he loved sports, sailing, and friends. After coming to Christ and graduating from Purdue University in 1982, Bob married Karen and started a family. Sensing a call to ministry during his four years as a bank branch-manager, Bob went full-time in 1987 as a parachurch college pastor. From 1990-1993, Bob served as an intern pastor of Twin Oaks Presbyterian and graduated from Covenant Theological Seminary in St. Louis. Bob and Karen love their five children – Emily, Nathaniel, Jonathan, Ethan, and Lizzy. Bob has served at Christ Church since 1993. In 2008 Bob completed his doctorate on Jonathan Edwards from the University of Wales.

David Keithley – Pastor of Youth/Family David was born and raised in western Illinois, spending most of his childhood in the small town of Bushnell, Illinois. David attended Western Illinois University in Macomb, where he earned a BA in History. While in college, he participated in the leadership of Campus Students for Christ, a sister organization to Illinois State’s “Encounter.” Shortly before graduating, he married Jennifer (December 1994) and came on staff as youth director at a rural church near Macomb. The following year, David became Associate Pastor at that church. In January 1999, he moved to St. Louis to attend Covenant Theological Seminary and continued to work part-time with youth at a PCA church near St. Louis. David came on staff at Christ Church in January 2003. He is an avid St. Louis Cardinals and Chicago Bears fan. He and Jennifer have four children: Abigail, who was adopted from Guatemala, Peterson, who was adopted from Haiti, Wesley, and Kathryn (Katy). Jennifer is a home-school mom, an aspiring author, and teaches at Heartland Community College. David gives leadership to our Children’s Ministry through Senior High School Youth. He is a Certified Financial Coach through Dave Ramsey’s Lampo Group and a Youth Ministry Coach through PACT ministry. (www.pactministry.org)

Jeff McCord – Pastor of Ministries Jeff and his wife Beth came to Christ Church the summer of 2005. Jeff and Beth met while attending the University of Kansas. After college they served for two years with The Navigators at Illinois State University. After their short term with the Navigators they moved to Saint Louis, MO to attend Covenant Theological Seminary and to pursue a Master in Divinity. While attending Covenant, Jeff and Beth directed the National Leadership Foundation campus ministry at Saint Louis University. They have two children: Nathan and Libby. Jeff gives leadership to connecting with new guests and to ministries and their leaders at Christ Church. He is a Certified Christian Conciliator with Peacemaker Ministries.

Duane Otto – Pastor at Large Growing up in Gridley, Illinois, Duane would eventually attend the University of Illinois graduating with a degree in Agricultural Economics.  Post graduation,  Duane attended Covenant Theologial Seminary in Saint Louis graduating with a Masters in Divinity and in Counseling. There he met his wife, Julie, and was married in 1995. Duane and Julie have served two PCA churches with extensive time spent with Labri. He now serves as a Pastor at Large while developing the Ithaka Fellowship ministry and the Marriage Ministry at Christ Church. Duane and Julie now have 5 children: Calvin, Sophia, Libby, Amelia, Rose, and one on the way.