Berean Bible Students Church

Leadership - Elders

At the Berean Bible Student church, we are led by a group of Elders rather than a single leader. While we do not object to having a Head Pastor, we believe that this follows the Biblical model as shown in Acts and the advice given to Timothy and Titus. Our Elders are appointed, and the position is unpaid. All of the ministries at our church are now, and have always been performed by those willing to volunteer their time to serve the Lord Jesus.   To many it may seem a disadvantage but we believe it shows the concrete love for the Lord Jesus of those who serve. Our Elders serve as pastors and ordained ministers.

David Elliott

David has served as an Elder for over five years and has been married, to his wife Tracie, for over 15 years. David and Tracie have two terrific kids, Mark and Sarah. The family resides in Lombard and have enjoyed living in the community where they worship.  David is a dynamic speaker and has always had a heart for working with teens. He is serving as the Teen Director (Youth For Truth) for 2010. David's passion for working with teens led him to become a high school mathematics teacher.  He is currently a teacher and math department chairman at Glenbard East High School. 

Joe Funari

Joe has served as an Elder for over six years and has been married to his wife Jackie for over 35 years. He is also the drummer for our worship band. Joe has a heart for children of all ages and he and Jackie minister and counsel many in the ways of the LORD. During the day, Joe is employed by Petersen Aluminum Corporation in Elk Grove where he also leads a weekly Bible study for interested employees.

Mike Knapp

Mike has been serving as an Elder for over 10 years and is married to his delightful wife Linda whom he married over 25 years ago. Mike and Linda have three teenage boys who faithfully attend and participate at church. Mike is a teacher for Marquardt Middle School in Glendale Heights. In 2009 he was elected as the President of the Teachers Association for the district. He also serves on the Board of Directors for the Fermilab Friends for Science Education in Batavia, IL. Mike received his doctorate in 2007 with his Thesis on: SCIENCE & SPIRITUALITY: EDUCATION AS A NEXUS FOR WORLDVIEWS . Mike is a veracious reader of science and spiritually and obviously is a good teacher and visionary for church growth.

Andy Weeks

Andy who was appointed an Elder in 2009, and was married to his lovely wife Valaree in 1986. They have two kids,  Abby who is active in the church worship and choir,  and a son Tim. Andy "mends tents" as an engineer for AT&T. He has been interested in teaching and leading for years as evidenced by his past years of service as President of the Fox Valley Astronomical Society where he taught courses in Astronomy for Park Districts around the area. He has surrendered that role to focus on the needs of the Church. He also serves as a leader for our Benevolence ministry, helping people get their financial and spiritual lives aligned to biblical principles.

Dennis Thorfeldt (Elder Emeritus)

Dennis, along with wife Charmaine, have served the Church for well over 50 years. 45 of those years, Dennis faithfully served as an Elder. At the end of 2009, Dennis requested a reduced role to Elder Emeritus but still will serve the Church, delivering a few messages to the congregation every year. He worked at Continental Bank  for 35 years before taking an early retirement at 55. Dennis and Charmaine have 3 daughters and 14 grandchildren who are all believers.

Larry Urbaniak

Much like Dennis, Larry has faithfully served in the Church his whole life along with wife Joyce. Over 35 of those years, Larry has faithfully served as an Elder. Larry taught Mathematics at York high School for 37 years before retiring in 2002 to a busier lifestyle in ministry. An able teacher, Larry still enjoys bring messages to the congregation. At times he offers courses on various Biblical subjects for those interested. He offers the Church tremendous organizational skills which is evidenced by many years of serving as Church Chairman, including 2010. (The Church chairman can not serve consecutive years.)