At Moraine Valley Church, our elders and deacons are here to serve you—providing spiritual care, practical support, and faithful leadership as we pursue Jesus and love people together.
At Moraine Valley Church, we believe leadership is a calling to serve. Our elder and deacon boards exist to help care for you and provide faithful leadership to our faith community. The elders shepherd the spiritual and emotional needs of our church family, helping shape the vision of our church with prayer and discernment. Our deacons serve by tending to the physical needs of our congregation, caring for our facilities, and faithfully managing the resources God has entrusted to us. Together, they help keep us aligned with our mission.
We are here for you, we would be glad to pray for you, and come along side you.
If you ever have a need, a question about your faith, or are simply looking for guidance, our leaders are here for you—please don’t hesitate to reach out. We’d be honored to walk alongside you
Scroll down for FAQ's & More about our boards.
Abe Bowater
Elder
Andrew Bierlein
Elder
Eric Bihl
Elder
Keith Buell
Deacon
Kevin Czerwiec
Deacon
Phil Czerwiec
Deacon
Tom Flynn
Elder
Nate Hoekenga
Deacon
Lester Gurtler
Deacon
Bob Gleisner
Elder
Don Kauffman
Senior Pastor
Dikran Koundakjian
Next Steps Pastor
Jose Laboy
Elder
Don Lesher
Elder
Dave Lenihan
Deacon
Michael Locke
Exec. Pastor of Ministry
Jason Marion
Deacon
Jon Martinez
Deacon
Ron Ovitt
Elder
Mark Perry
Elder
Vic Portillo
Deacon
David Robb
Deacon
Eric Sala
Elder
Scott Sisk
Director of Operations
William Soulian
Deacon
Josh Weaver
Worship Pastor
Dan Johnson
Elder Chairman
David Bosi
Elder
Leadership & Accountability in Our Church
At Moraine Valley Church, we are a board-led congregational church. This means that our elder and deacon boards provide spiritual and organizational oversight—shaping policies, reviewing doctrine, and helping set the vision and direction of our church.
Our pastoral staff, also board members, partner closely with the board to carry out that vision through teaching, shepherding, and day-to-day ministry leadership. At the same time, our congregation plays an essential role—affirming and supporting leadership, safeguarding the integrity of our constitution, and helping ensure that our church remains rooted in faith, truth, and shared accountability.
Together, we pursue Jesus, serve one another, and follow God’s call to become more like Jesus with a heart for the city he has placed us in.
Our pastoral staff, also board members, partner closely with the board to carry out that vision through teaching, shepherding, and day-to-day ministry leadership. At the same time, our congregation plays an essential role—affirming and supporting leadership, safeguarding the integrity of our constitution, and helping ensure that our church remains rooted in faith, truth, and shared accountability.
Together, we pursue Jesus, serve one another, and follow God’s call to become more like Jesus with a heart for the city he has placed us in.
FAQ'S
1. What do our elders do?
Our elders serve as spiritual shepherds, guiding our church family with wisdom, prayer, and biblical teaching. They provide oversight, nurture our community’s faith, and help ensure that our mission remains Christ-centered and biblically grounded.
2. What do our deacons do?
Deacons are the hands and feet of our church’s care ministry. They assist the elders by serving the practical needs of the congregation—coordinating acts of compassion, supporting church operations, and helping foster a spirit of unity and service among our members.
3. How does the board lead our church?
Our board, made up of elders and deacons, leads through prayerful collaboration and a shared commitment to serve. Elders focus on spiritual leadership, while deacons care for practical needs. Together, they help our church flourish in both faith and fellowship.
The board meets monthly to pray, assess ministry health, discuss the needs of our congregation, and partner with staff to help guide the vision and direction of our church.
The board meets monthly to pray, assess ministry health, discuss the needs of our congregation, and partner with staff to help guide the vision and direction of our church.
4. How can I contact a board member?
We welcome your questions, ideas, and prayer requests. You can reach out to any board member directly after services, contact the church office, or fill out the contact request above. We’re here to walk with you and support you in your faith journey.
5. How are elders and deacons chosen?
Elders and deacons serve a 3 year term. Every year we rotate a new set of 4 elders and 4 deacons in our board. This helps us maintain stability while also allowing new voices to help speak into the direction of our church. Each member is prayerfully nominated through a nominating committee and affirmed by our congregation at our annual December Meeting. We seek individuals who demonstrate spiritual maturity, humility, and a heart for service. Their selection is guided by biblical qualifications and a shared desire to serve Christ and His church.
6. What qualifications do elders and deacons need?
Scripture outlines clear qualities for church leaders—such as integrity, faithfulness, and a servant’s heart. Elders are called to teach and shepherd, while deacons are called to serve and support. Both roles require a deep commitment to Christ and His people.
7. How can I get involved or support our leaders?
We invite you to pray for our elders and deacons, encourage them in their service, and consider how God might be calling you to serve. Whether through volunteering, joining a ministry, or simply offering a kind word, your support strengthens our church family.