Staff
Pastor Dave Thomas
Prior to beginning their work in Champaign/Urbana, Dave had a 28-year career as a corporate financial professional before leaving in 1999 for Covenant Theological Seminary in St. Louis. Sherry has worked as a healthcare professional.
The Thomases come to church planting after a lifetime of ministry in a variety of contexts. A hallmark of their lives together has been one of ministry to youth and younger people, beginning in a coffee house ministry near a major east coast university, and later in church youth ministries. They have pursued their passion to see God's Kingdom extended through a uniting of the generations to build the church.
Pastor Dave ThomasPrior to beginning their work in Champaign/Urbana, Dave had a 28-year career as a corporate financial professional before leaving in 1999 for Covenant Theological Seminary in St. Louis. Sherry has worked as a healthcare professional.
The Thomases come to church planting after a lifetime of ministry in a variety of contexts. A hallmark of their lives together has been one of ministry to youth and younger people, beginning in a coffee house ministry near a major east coast university, and later in church youth ministries. They have pursued their passion to see God's Kingdom extended through a uniting of the generations to build the church.
Music Director Joe Madden
A native of St. Louis, Missouri, Joe Madden transferred to the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 2002 to study violin performance. Receiving his Bachelor’s degree in 2005, Joe continued his studies at the University of Illinois and completed a Master’s degree in violin performance in May 2009.
Currently, Joe performs in orchestras in and around the Champaign-Urbana area, including the Heartland Festival Orchestra, Sinfonia da Camera, and the Prairie ensemble. He teaches violin privately to about twelve students in addition to working as the Operations Manager of the Champaign-Urbana Symphony Orchestra.
His desire in ministry is to use his classical training to arrange, compose, and present church music that encompasses various styles, makes use of the talented performers in the congregation, and points the listener to God.