Once you are logged in, check in to the meeting using the “comments” function by typing the names of all members who are present.
It’s a gathering to conduct church business but perhaps more importantly it’s a chance for us to look ahead to the next twelve months and give thanks for the past twelve months. Everyone is invited to attend, but only members will be allowed to vote.
East White Oak members will have an opportunity to vote to approve these elders and deacons at the Annual Meeting on March 26, 2023.
Elia and his wife Jyothi have been married for over 17 years and have attended East White Oak since moving to Bloomington in 2008. They are blessed with three daughters, Doxa (16), Hannah (13), and Joy (7). Elia works at State Farm. He has been involved in teaching the Acts 2:42 ABF as well as ministry among the Indian community. Elia has previously served as an elder. Favorite Scripture: Revelation 21:1-4; 22:1-5
Todd and his wife, Laurie, have been married 37 years and have been attending/members since 1997. They have two married children, Meaghan (Eric Nelson), and Nathan (Colette) and one incredible grandson, Jack Nelson. Todd previously served as a deacon, elder, youth group leader, and assisted Laurie teaching children’s Sunday school. Favorite Scripture: Proverbs 3:5-6 and the Beatitudes
Jesse and his high-school sweetheart, Kristi, grew up in Pennsylvania, moved to Illinois after finishing college and getting married in 2002, and have been attending East White Oak since 2004. They have two daughters, Lexi (13) and Ellie (11). Jesse is a technology director at State Farm. He has served as an East White Oak Sr. High youth leader for 17 years and also helps out on the A/V crew. He has been on short-term mission trips to New Orleans, Brazil, Zimbabwe, Russia, and Colombia. Favorite Scripture: The book of Philippians
Calvin has been married to his high school sweetheart, Lauren, for 8 years. They have attended East White Oak since 2015 and they are actively involved in the Fellowship 13 ABF. They have been blessed with two boys, Easton (5) and Brayden (3). Calvin works at Caterpillar as an Engineering Project Lead. He serves as a Men’s Ministry leader and assists his wife in teaching a Preschool Bible Fellowship. Favorite Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:11-13
Andy started attending East White Oak after he and his wife, Cari, were engaged in 2001. The Lord has blessed them with 4 children—Evan, Ella, Eli, and Elby. Andy works for Catalyst Construction. At East White Oak, Andy is currently serving as a Deacon, T&T Boys leader, ABF leader, Small Group leader, and on the Safe Secure Team. In the past he served as a KUC leader, and has been active in Men’s Ministry and the West Bloomington ministry. Favorite Scripture: Colossians 1:15-20
Andrew has attended East White Oak since 1999. He and his wife, Kim, have been married for almost 21 years, and they have been blessed with 4 children, Eliana (15), Everett (14), Emerson (10), and Elyse (3). Andrew is a Technical Architect and Chartered Financial Consultant, and has worked at State Farm for 25 years. He currently is serving his second term as a deacon, and is also a small group leader, Awana T&T leader, nursery volunteer, and is involved in the Fellowship of the Rings ABF. Andrew has also enjoyed serving as a Sunday School teacher and taking short term missions trips to Russia and New Orleans. Favorite Scripture: Proverbs 3:5-7
The church’s board (elders/deacons) submit nominations to replace/renew board members with expiring terms. From the list of nominees some are invited to complete an application process. This includes a questionnaire with some sections completed by the nominee and others by his wife. Applications are reviewed and nominees are interviewed by an elder. Nominees are voted on by the elders. This process may take weeks or months. Each step along the way is prayerfully taken.
Approved nominees become candidates. Candidates are then presented to the congregation for consideration/confirmation. This typically happens at the church’s annual meeting, however, there are occasions when an elder/deacon is unable to complete his term and the congregation is asked to convene for the purpose of approving a nominee to serve out an uncompleted term. Terms are three years. The terms are staggered so that there are generally one third of the terms expiring in any given year.
Each year three pastors serve as elders. The Senior Pastor and the Senior Associate Pastor serve without sabbatical. One of the other pastors is always actively serving as an elder. This role rotates annually among the Associate Pastors. The number of lay elders must always exceed the number of Pastors serving as elders in any year.
An elder may be approved for a second term, however, after two consecutive terms elders are required to take at least one sabbatical year.
Deacons are not required to take a sabbatical year and may serve as many consecutive terms as the elders may determine as prudent.
