Zion - Staff

Technology & Web - David Francisco

Ruth Fairchild - Outreach Coordinator

Viktor Jelnov - Custodian

Leona Foster - Assistant Pantry Worker

David Bippus - Church Council President

Arnold Swenson - Financial Secretary, Treasurer

Rev. Dr. Michael Thomas

Rev. Dr. Michael Thomas WELCOME TO ZION

As the Senior Pastor here at Zion Lutheran Church, I give God thanks that we are a “mosaic community sharing the grace of Christ with all” here in this place. Zion was started in 1883 and I am called to preserve the spiritual heritage and promote our future spiritual legacy. I am called to help equip people for ministry at and beyond Zion, promoting discipleship opportunities for prayer and Bible study and challenging people to grow in their faith and generosity.

We have a great partnership with the seven ELCA Mid-Town Lutheran Parish churches, Rockford Area Lutheran Ministries, the Northern Illinois Synod and the ELCA. We have created three separate non-profit groups and continue a strong partnership with Zion Development, Patriots’ Gateway Center and Zion Outreach.

I was ordained in 1994 and served at Grace in Loves Park, IL from 1994-1998. I served as a Mission Developer at Living Waters in Crystal Lake, IL from 1998-2010. I earned a Doctorate of Ministry in Preaching from the Lutheran School of Theology in 2008 on the topic, “Preaching to Seekers: Teaching and Telling the Story of THE Seeker”. I began here at Zion in January of 2010 and look forward to our ministry together.