Our Pastor

 

Pastor Caleb joined us in 2018, after serving as a Pastor for 7 years in IL. Caleb is originally a native of New Zealand. There he completed undergraduate studies in Landscape Architecture followed by graduate work in Geographic Information Systems and Eco-Tourism, all at Lincoln University. After finishing his studies at Lincoln, Caleb then worked in poverty alleviation in South Africa for almost eight years. During this time, Caleb sensed God’s call into ministry and relocated to the USA with his wife Janine for graduate study.

 

Caleb has served as a Worship Director at Beacon Baptist Church in East London (South Africa), and as a Worship Pastor at Bethany Baptist Church, Harwood Heights, IL. In addition to Worship, Caleb is also passionate about Discipleship/Spiritual Formation, Rural Ministry, Pastoral Counseling, Preaching, Intercultural Ministry and Compassion-Type Ministries in church and community. Caleb completed the Master of Divinity degree at Northern Baptist Theological Seminary, and then completed a Doctorate in Spiritual Formation at Tyndale University College & Seminary in Toronto, Canada. Caleb is an ordained Baptist Minister, although he appreciates the “evangelical diversity” of Gardiner Community Church.

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Caleb enjoys hiking in nature, reading, travelling, coffee, and hanging out with family and friends.

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Caleb’s wife, Janine, completed her Doctorate in the Chiropractic program at the National University of Health Sciences in Lombard, and now runs a part-time chiropractic practice in Diamond Point, called Shalom Wellness. Janine is originally from South Africa. Janine loves being a mom, and also enjoys photography, reading, and entertaining friends. Janine also enjoys selling soaps and essential oils on occasion at local fairs and farmers markets.

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Caleb and Janine have been married since July, 2007 and have a daughter Abigail.