Meet our leaders and staff
Mitchel Kirchmeyer - Lead Pastor
Mitch received his Master of Divinity degree from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield, IL. After graduating in 2015, Mitch was trained in church planting (starting new churches) through a residency with Reach Chicago and was licensed with the Evangelical Free Church of America. He, along with his wife and three others, moved to Woodstock, IL in 2015 to start Good News Church.
Mitch has been married to his wife Katie since 2011. Before seminary, they were involved in a college ministry called Cru (formerly Campus Crusade for Christ) both as students and then for two years after college as full-time campus ministry interns. During their time with Cru, they gained a passion for helping others follow Jesus and for introducing people to Jesus for the first time. Some of their hobbies include playing board games, hiking, camping, and frisbee. They are overjoyed to be the parents of two young boys, Hudson and Ezra.
Conner Smith - Worship Leader
Conner joined the staff of Good News Church part-time in August of 2022. He partners with Mitch in leading the congregation to encounter Jesus and respond during our Sunday morning worship gatherings.
Conner loves the Lord and his wife, Ashley. His personal life mission is to rely on the Holy Spirit to lead him in shepherding people as they walk with Christ and embrace the life story that God is writing for them, one chapter at a time.
After an eight-month internship at a church in Gladenbach, Germany, Conner studied Christian Ministries and worship at Trinity International University and received a BA in Christian Ministries.
Conner enjoys playing guitar, singing, playing video games with his wife, playing Dungeons and Dragons, trying out local ethnic restaurants, painting miniatures, discovering new music, skiing, and doing biblical exegesis. His favorite worship song is How He Loves by John Mark McMillan.
Leadership Community
Currently our church operates with a Leadership Community. The members of this community are:
- Worship Gathering - Conner Smith
- Welcome Team - Maggie Kopala and Wendy Davis
- Children's Ministry - Jeanne Nelson and Jenny Westfallen
- Gospel Community Leadership - Brian Christensen, Katie Kirchmeyer, and Mitchel Kirchmeyer
Our goal is to be an elder-led, congregationally-governed church. This Leadership Community is one step in the process toward that.