Pastoral Staff Bios - Chicago First Church of the Nazarene

Senior Pastor Kevin Ulmet has been at First Church of the Nazarene since 2000 and has served 28 years in full-time ministry. Pastor Ulmet has been married to Karen for 28 years and they have three daughters, Carrie (married to Ben Wagner), Carissa and Christy. Pastor Kevin graduated from Trevecca Nazarene University with a BA in Religion, from Nazarene Theological Seminary with a Masters of Divinity and is presently finishing a doctor of ministry program at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. Pastor lists his hobbies and pastimes as golf, baseball, politics, history and traveling to meaningful and beautiful places. Pastor Ulmet also serves as Missional Area Assistant District Superintendent for the Chicago Central District Church of the Nazarene, overseeing more than 20 churches in the Chicago suburbs. He is also Alumni Association President and member of the Board of Trustees of Trevecca Nazarene University in Nashville, Tennessee, an elected member of the Board of Trustees of Nazarene Theological Seminary in Kansas City, Missouri and a charter member of the Matt Lamb Umbrellas for Peace Board of Directors. Pastor Ulmet also participates as a member of the Lemont Christian Clergy Association. Speaking of his ministry, Pastor Ulmet says, "Since the age of 17 when God called me, my life and service have been totally surrendered to Him. I do this because I am called and because I want to! And I pray He uses me to build prevailing churches that truly are places where lives are changed for eternity."

Executive Pastor Andy Combs has been at First Church of the Nazarene since 2000. Pastor Andy has been married to Nan for over 30 years. They have two children, Stephen and Kristen, and a grandson, Christopher. Pastor Andy spent 12 years in pastoral ministries and 10 years as a software engineer prior to coming to First Nazarene. He graduated from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor of Science in Engineering and from Trevecca Nazarene University with an MA in Religion. Speaking about his ministry at First Nazarene, Pastor Combs says, "My current role is to provide the behind the scenes support and resources needed to allow staff and laypeople to be able to accomplish the ministry God has called them to most effectively."

Pastor Clark Howe grew up in a Nazarene parsonage never thinking he would be a pastor. Today he serves as the Worship Arts Pastor here at First Church of the Nazarene. Pastor Clark majored in communications and minored in business at Olivet Nazarene University. He began his career in the music ministry as a volunteer at First Church of the Nazarene, Pompano Beach, Florida. In May of 2000 Pastor Clark became the Worship Arts Pastor at First Nazarene. Since that time, he participated in the launch of second and third worship services. Pastor Clark is married to his high school sweetheart, Roseanna and they have two daughters Rachel and Rylee. About his ministry, Pastor Clark says, "Amazing things happen when God moves. An engaging weekly corporate worship moment is vital to the health of the Body of Christ. I count it a privilege to lead the worship leaders. I can’t imagine anything more fulfilling than watching God change lives right before our eyes."

Rev. Dave Ludwig is a Co-Youth Pastor here at First Church of the Nazarene and has been here since 2000. Pastor Dave married his wife, Sarah, and was ordained in 2001 - an eventful year! Both Dave and Sarah are graduates of Olivet Nazarene University. Dave majored in Christian Education and Sarah in Family & Consumer Science. Dave enjoys sports, singing and hanging out with family, friends and the First Nazarene teens. Pastor Dave says, "My passion is to see teenagers won to Jesus Christ and begin to share that with others. I love to see teens realize that God loves them and has a specific plan and a purpose for their life, and watch how God uses them to radically change their world for Christ and bring honor and glory to Himself!"

Co-Youth Pastor, Tim Britton, came to the First Nazarene staff on July 9, 2006. Tim, who is originally from the Peoria area, served as Youth Pastor in Raleigh, NC and Lombard, IL before coming to First Nazarene. Pastor Tim has been married to Nicole since 2001. Tim and Nicole celebrated the birth of their son Brady in February of 2008. The Brittons, along with their Dalmatian, Kozmo, live in Lockport, IL. Tim graduated from Olivet Nazarene University in 1999 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Religion / Christian Ministry. He was ordained in 2004. As pastimes, Tim drinks way too much coffee, is pretty addicted to Starbucks, loves to read, occasionally tries to play guitar and enjoys most sports, shopping, traveling and spending time with family. In speaking of his ministry, Pastor Tim says, "It is my desire to develop and be a part of ministry that is reaching lost teens and producing passionate disciples of Jesus Christ."

Adam Lewis, the Saturday Night / Singles Pastor, came to First Nazarene in 2000. He married Cindy in 2003. Their household includes twin boys, Joshua, Brian and daughter Lainey. Adam graduated from Nazarene Bible College in 2005 with a degree in Pastoral Ministries & Theology and was ordained that same year. Pastor Adam has also received his master’s degree from Olivet Nazarene University. Adam’s hobbies include basketball, golf, mountain biking, stand-up comedy and watching Ohio State football. Pastor Adam says, "It is my passion to see people come to God through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. I love to see people start the journey as we walk with them in their spiritual growth. My personal vision for this church is to reach as many people as we can for the sake of the Gospel."

Children’s Pastor, Jessica Karuchit, is the newest addition to the pastoral staff at First Church of the Nazarene. Jessica married husband Andy in May, 2009. Before returning here to her home church, Pastor Jessica spent four years on the staff of Grove City Church of the Nazarene in Ohio. At Grove City she served as an Associate Children’s Pastor and Preteen Pastor. Jessica holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Music and Elementary Education from Lewis University. She is a District Licensed Minister and is working toward ordination. Jessica loves singing, reading and spending time with her husband and family. Her favorite hobby is cooking. In sharing her passion for ministry, Pastor Jessica says, "I believe that the children’s ministry is the most vital in the church. Most people who come into a personal relationship with Christ do so before the age of 13! I also have a passion for seeing kids learn to develop and use their gifts to serve God at the earliest age possible."

Dr. David A. Baillie came to First Nazarene in February, 2005. As Pastor of Outreach Ministries he oversees the Nazarene Recreation program in addition to the Nazarene Fine Arts Academy, the Nazarene Preschool and the equipping ministries of the church. Prior to coming to the area, Pastor Baillie was the Director of Athletics at Asbury College in Kentucky. He is a graduate of Furman University where he received a Masters of Arts in Health and Exercise Science. He also has Masters of Divinity and doctorate degrees from Asbury Theological Seminary. From 1993 to 1995 Pastor Baillie served as a sports evangelist in the Indian Ocean Islands, based in Madagascar. He met his wife Jenny during his stay in Madagascar. The two were married in the summer of 2003. The couple has two children, Mia Joelle, born in May 2005 and David Jackson, born in September 2007.

In the September, 2007 meeting of the Church Board, Ron Allen received a unanimous call as site pastor for the Austin Campus of Chicago First Church of the Nazarene. Ron's wife, Tonya, is a dental assistant, and they have two children, Aja and Joshua. Ron is a founding member of the Board of Elders of New Life Celebration Place Church of God in Dolton. He is also presently the Senior Counselor for Trinity International University Southside extension in Dolton. Ron has also served on staff at New Life Christian Fellowship in Joliet and Rock of Ages Baptist Church in Maywood. Previously, Ron had a 25 year career with the U. S. Postal Service. Ron holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Christian Ministry from Trinity International University and will graduate from Trinity with a Master's Degree in Religion/Urban Ministry in 2008. Ron will develop and lead the new congregation in Austin. He begins at half-time status and will be full-time status within one year.