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our staff:
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Gary Gawlik

Associate Minister

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Steve Stark

Youth Minister

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Melissa Knotts

Executive Assistant

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Larry Sharp
Senior Adult Minister

Steve Stark

 

Steve became Northside's full-time Youth Minister on January 1, 2020 after serving a nine-month internship here. It has been a great joy to work with Steve and to have him on our staff.

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He was the "guiding force" behind our Sunday Morning online worship beginning in March 2020 as well as helping launch our live stream capabilities in December 2021. We are grateful for all his work and dedication.

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Steve is a graduate of Tri-Valley High School and has studied at Heartland Community College and Lincoln Christian University. He has worked at numerous church camps and various ministries over the years.

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We are blessed to have him on our staff.

Melissa Knotts

 

Melissa is the Administrative Assistant at Northside Church. She has worked in the office since 1997. Melissa organizes and coordinates events held at Northside. Her computer expertise and office management skills provide valuable services to our staff and church family. Melissa is a member of the Worship Team and the Mission Servant Group. Melissa and her husband Jim have two children, Samantha and Joey, and two grandsons, Alex and Nathan. She enjoys being part of the staff here at Northside.

Gary Gawlik

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Gary began serving at Northside as our youth minister in 1988. After 11 years in that role he then worked for The Baby Fold for the next 17 years as a case  worker advising and assisting children and their families who have special needs. Gary rejoined Northside staff in 2016 as the associate minister.  He studied at Lincoln Christian University. He has been involved all his working life with the spiritual, social and emotional needs of youth. He has led Northside's Children' worship for many years.

 

Gary and his wife Sandy have three children, Hunter, Brooke and Tanner. All are involved in sports and Special Olympics. They are involved each day in mentoring and supporting youth through their children's activities inside and outside the church.

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Gary's Section:

I enjoy being actively involved the lives of our youth and seeing them grow in their faith. My desire is partnering with God to help youth understand the world they live in and how to succeed against the daily challenges they face.

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I look forward to instructing, nurturing and equipping our young people to lead a Spirit-filled life of faith and forge a deep relationship and commitment to Jesus Christ.

Larry Sharp

Larry Sharp continues to serve Northside as our Senior Adult Minister following his retirement from full-time ministry in June 2022. Larry began ministry in Central Illinois in 1980, serving for three years as a campus minister to Illinois State University. Larry then became Northside's full-time minister in 1983. Larry is a graduate of Missouri State University and Harding Graduate School of Religion.

Larry and his wife Sherry, a retired Unit 5 elementary music teacher, have been married 43 years. They have three children, Lindsay, Bryan and Courtney. Larry enjoys all kinds of sports, working out, and reading.

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Larry's Section:

I have enjoyed working with people and helping them to follow Jesus. Northside is a loving and caring church family.  

our elders:
Jim Kalmes, Jeff Payne, John Baldwin, Mark Nibbelin

Our charge to the congregation is to:

 

LOVE GOD, LOVE OTHERS, SERVE THE WORLD

 

We will accomplish this mission with:

 

A desire to LOVE GOD with all our hearts, LOVE OTHERS as Christ loves us and SERVE THE WORLD through the power of the Holy Spirit

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