Favorite Book: Ruthless Elimination of Hurry and God has a name, basically a John Mark Comer fangirl!

Favorite TV Show: This Is Us or The Office

If you had to eat one food at every meal going forward, what would it be?: Tacos…breakfast tacos, beef tacos, pork tacos, fish tacos…gimme all the Mexican food! 

Disney Spirit Character: Snow White

Movie or TV title that best describes your life: Sleepless in Seattle (What even is sleep??) 

How do you like your coffee? 3 caramel macchiato creamers, please! 

A little more about Alissa: 

Alissa has spent most of her life in the Peoria area. Growing up as a pastor’s kid (PK) she swore she’d never work at a church, but she’s clearly learned never say never! Alissa has been on the Richwoods team since 2012, spending the first 5 years doing missions before moving to her current role, overseeing all things communications and serving on our Lead Team! Her real dream was to be a mom; she gets to call herself a wife and a mom to three awesome kiddos.

Favorite Book(s): Lord of the Rings Trilogy, The Shack, This Present Darkness

Favorite Childhood Possession: Any basketball I could get my hands on

Favorite TV Show: Hart of Dixie and Blue Bloods

Favorite Movie: Marvel – The Avengers

If you had to eat one food at every meal going forward, what would it be? Pizza, hands down!

Movie or TV title that best describes your life: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

How do you like your coffee? Venti Mocha Frappuccino with Almond Milk, 5 pumps, and no whip 

A little more about Marty: 

Marty grew up in central Illinois, graduated from Richwoods HS and earned a B.S. in Civil Engineering at SIU-C in May 1993. Shortly thereafter, he became involved in a college ministry in Peoria where he committed his life to Christ, was baptized and met his wonderful wife. Marty served as a youth/small group ministry intern in the inner city of Chicago in 1996-97. It was through this experience Marty’s calling to be a pastor was affirmed. Marty joined Richwoods staff in May of 2000 as an associate pastor overseeing student and small group ministries. He completed his M.A. from Lincoln Christian Seminary and was ordained at Richwoods in 2003. Marty currently serves as the Pastor of Spiritual Formation and Care. He loves leading retreats and acting as the chaplain/spiritual director for the staff and church.  Away from church, Marty’s interests are sports, exercise classes and all around health and fitness! He enjoys reading books and watching movies that stir the soul. He looks for any opportunity to break bread, hang out and have fun connecting with others. He loves playing sports with his four active boys and connecting with his wife, Kathy, at their favorite quiet places and restaurants.

Favorite Book(s): I loved reading The Hatchet or My Side of the Mountain as a kid. Where the Red Fern Grows is the first book that made me cry. The Sparrow is a book I’ve returned to many times as an adult that really made me think about God and our perception of him.

Favorite Childhood Possession: An Official Red Ryder Carbine-Action Two-Hundred-Shot Range Model Air Rifle (with a compass on the stock).

Favorite TV Show: Survivor–I would love to be on Survivor. And The Office.

Favorite Movie: Dumb & Dumber, Tommy Boy, Good Will Hunting, Finding Forrester, Akeelah and the Bee

If you had to eat one food at every meal going forward, what would it be?: Japanese cuisine in general, and sushi in specific.

Dream Vacation: I’d love a salmon-fishing trip to Alaska.

Disney Spirit Character: Donald Duck

Movie or TV title that best describes your life: Threat Level: Midnight

How do you like your coffee? …as a McDonalds’ Diet Coke

A little more about Tom: 

Tom experienced God calling him to ministry when he was 12 years old, and–after a few internships–he went into full-time ministry 10 years later. He primarily served in student ministries for 15 years, with many opportunities to lead in other areas as well, including children’s, adult’s, small groups, men’s, women’s, hospitality, connections, and finance ministries. He is now delighted to serve Richwoods as the Executive Pastor. He is energized by the idea that–if he does his job well–he enables the church and its ministries to run smoothly, the church and its people are protected, and the staff and the congregation are well-cared for.

Tom met his wife Renee at Fuller (where she got her Master of Divinity two years before him!), and they have two rambunctious boys: James and Jacob. Tom is working on his doctorate through Fuller, and spends his free time working on that, going out with his wife, playing board games and video games with friends, wrestling or going on adventures with the boys, reading, cooking, and learning to garden in the very forgiving midwest soil.