OUR STAFF

  • Will Fisher

    Interim Senior Pastor

    I am a cradle Lutheran. After completing Luther Seminary in St Paul, MN. with an additional year to complete a certification in Youth and Family Ministry, I was ordained to Word and Sacrament ministry.  While at seminary, I met and married my now ex-wife (and still close friend), Nancy.  We have three adult children: Tristan (27), Andy (25), and Liam(23). I most recently served Faith Lutheran Church in Brookfield, IL for 11 years. In 2017, I earned a Master’s in Pastoral Counseling from Loyola University of Chicago and am now a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) and a therapist in a private practice. I also enjoy being active in community theatre, spending time with friends, playing board games, and being with my miniature dachshund, Hendricks. I am excited to be serving the people of St. Mark’s, where vibrant energy, faith, and ministry is palpable.  The future is exciting and full of hope. 

    Click here to email Pastor Will. 

  • paul kopka

    interim associate pastor

    Pastor Paul studied Religion with a Psychology minor at Concordia College, Moorhead, MN.  He received his M.Div. in pastoral and theological training from Luther Seminary, St. Paul, MN, and was ordained as a pastor in 1986. Serving congregations in and around Detroit and Chicago, Pastor Paul earned a D. Min. from Lutheran School of Theology in 2006. Soon after he was recruited and received special training for intentional interim ministry. Since 2005, he has served as interim pastor in over a dozen churches. He has served as Co-Convener of the Metro. Chicago Synod transition minister’s cohort. Pastor Paul and Pei (pronounced like “pay a bill”) were married in 2006. They and their dog Piper live in Bolingbrook. Known by the tagline, God is Good, All the Time; and All the Time, God is Good.

  • KRISTIN YOUNG

    DIRECTOR OF WORSHIP & THE ARTS

    Called to St. Mark’s in 1996 to lead this church’s song, it is pure joy to share Christ’s abundant love through the gift of music. The song here takes many forms and is expressed in many ways: from the classics, traditional choirs, and sacred cantatas to Dixieland, jazz, and contemporary praise teams and worship bands. It is always fun and inspiring! Working with students, singers, and musicians, teaching musical concepts, and preparing and presenting great music that draws people to God and deepens their faith are my passion. I graduated from DePaul University with a degree in piano performance and a minor in voice and conducting. I also enjoy traveling, the out-of-doors, hiking, riding bikes, fishing, gardening, and cooking. My husband, Bruce, and I enjoy living in the Midwest, where we have raised our four children.

    Click here to email Kristin. Phone: 630-897-6891, ext 103

  • KARI REISECK

    DIRECTOR OF YOUTH & FAMILY MINISTRIES

    A native Auroran, I now live nearby with my husband, Greg, and my three children, Brady, Josie, and Keagan. I graduated from Eastern Illinois University with a degree in business marketing and worked for several years at advertising agencies and web design firms. In 2014, I began serving at St. Mark's as the Director of Youth and Family Ministries. I love my job and love working with kids of all ages, helping them discover and connect with their faith. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my family and close friends, love to travel and spend time outdoors! Spreading God's message of love and kindness to everyone is very important to me, and I am committed to developing our children and youth programs with this purpose in mind.

    Click here to email Kari. Phone: 630-897-6891, ext 104

  • JONI ACKLEY

    OFFICE & Communications MANAGER

    I grew up in Beloit, KS. I attended Fort Hays State University and moved to Chicago in the late nineties. My mom, brother, and his family still reside in Kansas. After working in Chicago and Naperville, I moved to Aurora in 2002, where I met my late fiance, Warren L. Thomason. We were together almost 19 years until he passed unexpectedly in January 2021. I enjoy gardening, billiards, almost any kind of music, and spending time with family and friends. I host and participate in craft shows a couple times a year. My Rottweiler named Reaper, who thinks he is a 90-pound lap dog, and a cat named Brat keep me busy as well.  I've been employed at St. Mark's as Office Manager since April 2022. Became Office & Communications Manager at the end of 2023.  Always looking forward to the next phase of the journey!

    Click here to email Joni.  Phone: 630-897-6891, ext 100

  • AL LETTOW

    FACILITY MANAGER

    I was born and raised in this area (Chicago and Elgin) and went to the University of Wisconsin in Madison, where I was a member of the Badger football team and met my wife, Vicki. We married in 1969 and have three adult children and seven grandchildren. I've migrated through two careers, from owning a ServiceMaster franchise for 15 years, to working for AT&T for 25 years. Now, my "third career" is helping keep the St. Mark's building running and working well. Vicki and I have been members of St. Mark's since 1974, and have been involved in multiple projects over the years. During my free time, I keep active hiking, biking, weight training, competitive stair climbing, and traveling in the Caribbean, Europe, and the USA.

    Click here to email Al. Phone: 630-897-6891, ext 106

  • JOHN THEMANSON

    FINANCE ADMINISTRATOR

    I was born in Monmouth, Illinois, and raised in Kewanee. I served in the Air Force from 1963 through 1967, and then graduated from Illinois State with a degree in applied computer science. When my wife, Sandy, and I came to Aurora in 1986, we found St. Mark’s. It’s amazing to see how this church has grown since we joined and gratifying to know that my family and I have been a part of that growth. I’m a widower with two adult daughters, Anna and Lauren, father-in-law to Michael, and grandpa to Bridget. In addition to being on staff at St. Mark’s, I am a member of The Lion’s Voice Choir. I enjoy time with my family, classical music, all sorts of puzzles, and travel.

    Click here to email John. Phone: 630-897-6891, ext 105

  • SUE hILDERBRAND

    DIRECTOR OF WORSHIP & HANDBELLS

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