Larry Van Gundy | Interim Senior Pastor | Email | lvangundy@ewo.org
Larry Van Gundy has been in pastoral ministry over the last 25 years. He is a graduate of Grand Rapids School of the Bible and Music, where he majored in Bible. He also earned a Bachelor's Degree in Church Ministries and a Masters degree in Marriage and Family Counseling from Liberty University. Pastor Larry is currently serving as our interim Senior Pastor.
Traig Whittaker | Senior Associate Pastor | Email | twhittaker@ewo.org
Pastor Traig came to EWO in 2000 with over ten years of ministry experience, all in the Peoria, IL area. For seven years he served as the Executive Director of the Christian Center, a ministry to families, children and youth. Immediately prior to joining the pastoral staff at EWO he served as the Director of Christian Education at Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA). Traig is a graduate of Wheaton College. He grew up in the Peoria area and came to Christ at a young age under the influence of his Christian family. His ministry responsibilities include oversight of the church's Christian Education programs and some administrative duties.
Walt Baertsch | Associate Pastor Youth | Email | pastorwalt@ewo.org
Pastor Walt came to EWO with fourteen years of ministry experience, twelve of which have been years spent in youth ministry in Wisconsin and Colorado. Most recently, Walt has served as the Senior Pastor at Northwest Baptist Church in Denver. He is a graduate of Northwestern College in St. Paul, Minnesota where he majored in Bible and Youth Ministry. Pastor Walt's ministry is focused primarily on Junior and Senior High School students.
Rod Applington | Associate Pastor Discipleship/Missions
Email | rapplington@ewo.org
Pastor Rod joined the EWO family in the early part of 2004. He did his undergraduate work at Wheaton College and received his master of divinity from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. He served as a youth pastor and family pastor in Naperville, Illinois and a senior pastor in Zion, Illinois prior to coming to East White Oak. More information about his ministry is available in Pastor Rod's Biography.
Kendall Coffman | Associate Pastor Teaching | Email | kcoffman@ewo.org
Pastor Kendall came to East White Oak from Indianapolis, Indiana. He earned a Bachelor's Degree from Maranatha Baptist Bible College in Watertown Wisconsin, then a Masters of Divinity from The Master's Seminary in Sun Valley, California. Pastor Kendall joins Pastor Walt in Junior and Senior High Ministry as well as handling a broader teaching role within the church.
Kris Seifert, Director of Children's Ministries | Email | kseifert@ewo.org
Kris Seifert has a degree in Elementary Education from Illinois State University. She came to East White Oak with many years of ministry experience to children through Sunday school, Children's Church, and Vacation Bible School. She also served Bible Study Fellowship as their Children's Supervisor for five years. Her ministry is primarily focused on EWO's Sunday morning programs.
Linda McClure, Church Administrator | Email | lmcclure@ewo.org
Mrs. Linda McClure came to East White Oak in 1990 and is currently the Church Administrator, after serving several years as Church Secretary. Linda manages the facility, schedules ministry activity, attends to numerous administrative details and provides secretarial support for the Senior Pastor.
Eric Jenkins, Maintenance Director | Email | ejenkins@ewo.org
Karen Rowden, Pastoral Secretary | Email | krowden@ewo.org
Monica Ball, Pastoral Secretary | Email | mball@ewo.org
Emily Henard, Publications and Graphic Design | Email | ehenard@ewo.org
309.454.3833