Leadership

A Church Committed to Shared Leadership

It won’t take much looking around on this page before you notice that our lead pastor is actually two lead pastors. Or, as we affectionately call them, our co-pastors. Libby and Jeff share leadership, and we have called them to pastor this congregation as a team. It’s no lie to say that this commitment to co-leadership frames most of how we think of healthy leadership and how we seek to share power in the congregation.

There’s a lot we could say here, but someone wise once said, brevity is next to godliness, so we’ll keep it short. Our church is led by a partnership between the staff of the church and the volunteer leaders (it’s a churchy thing to say, but we call them lay leaders), and we are at our best when both staff and lay leaders are walking together side by side into the future that God is calling us to.

For a few reasons, we’ll only list the paid staff bios and contact info here, but know that, as you get connected to the church, you’ll see that structure of shared leadership and be invited to step into the community and share your wisdom, as well.

Elizabeth (Libby) Piotrowski

Co-pastor

Libby has been on staff at North Park Covenant Church since 2002. In that time, she has served in various capacities, with 10 years spent as our Children’s Minister, until being called to the co-pastorate in 2016. Libby has a BS in Biology from North Park College, an MA in Curriculum and Instruction from North Park University, and an MA in Christian Formation from North Park Theological Seminary. Her goal is to one day earn a doctorate in preaching. In her former life, Libby was a high-school biology teacher. She and her husband, Joel, have three children: Sofia, Harrison, and Tegegn. In her spare time, Libby enjoys gardening and reading (lots of historical fiction), watching the Food Network, and cooking new foods with and for her family. Email Libby.

Jeff Hunter

Co-pastor

Jeff has served as a Covenant pastor since his first call to ministry in 2004 at Kent Covenant Church in Kent, WA, and has served as co-pastor at North Park Covenant Church since 2016. Lifelong learning is deeply important to Jeff, and his formal education has been at Seattle Pacific University (BA, Christian Theology and Educational Ministry) and North Park Theological Seminary (MDiv). In addition to serving NPCC alongside Pastor Libby, Jeff has been spending time lately facilitating the Covenant pastor cluster on the north side of Chicago and walking with Church without Walls, an innovative church community inside of Stateville Correctional Center, in partnership with North Park Theological Seminary’s School of Restorative Arts. Jeff and his wife, Kristen, are well into their second decade together and have two children. In addition to living that church life, the Hunters enjoy reading, drinking copious amounts of Earl Grey tea, Seattle sports, tech gadgets, family art projects, gluten-free cooking, mopeds, and making music. Email Jeff.

Jeanette Mottl

Director of Youth Ministry

Jeanette grew up in a small town in Wisconsin, where her four younger siblings and parents still live. She graduated from North Park University in 2022 with a BA in Biblical & Theological Studies and a BA in Psychology. Jeanette has been on staff at North Park Covenant Church since 2021 and loves working with the middle schoolers and high schoolers of the congregation and neighborhood. When she isn’t at church, Jeanette enjoys reading, crafting, listening to podcasts and music, and walking along the lakefront.  Email Jeanette.

Jeffrey Parker

Pastoral Intern

Jeffrey is a graduate of Western Washington University, where he received a BA in Multidisciplinary Studies with an emphasis in communications. He is currently a graduate student in the MDiv/MBA program at North Park University. Prior to moving to Chicago, Jeffrey served as a church administrator at the Church of All Faiths Community Church in Oakland, California, where he supported the organizing efforts of the church and fulfilled pastoral duties such as preaching, teaching, and counseling. Jeffrey is deeply devoted to Christ and His Word. He is passionate about serving the church and shows his love for ministry through sharing and teaching God’s Word. Jeffrey is married to Isabel, who currently works in the nonprofit and criminal justice reform sector. They both love to adventure, travel, read, and watch the latest new movie in theaters. They are excited to join the community of North Park Covenant Church.

Brian Ward

Music Ministry Coordinator & Chancel Choir Director

Brian is a choir director and music teacher at Providence St. Mel School in the Garfield Park neighborhood of Chicago and holds undergraduate and graduate degrees from North Park University and Northwestern University, respectively. He has been attending North Park Covenant Church regularly since 2007. Brian and his wife, Maria, were married here and are the proud parents of Erik, Annalisa, and Kajsa. Email Brian.

Sam Parnin

Organist

Sam is originally from Fort Wayne, Indiana, and has served churches in Fort Wayne and Bloomington as organist since 2019. Sam studied at Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music for composition, while also pursuing multiple other areas including organ, jazz piano, Afro-Caribbean percussion, and electronic music. In 2023, he earned the service playing certificate through the American Guild of Organists and is currently working toward additional certification. Having recently moved to Chicago, Sam is looking forward to growing his career as a composer and organist. When not making music, Sam enjoys playing racquetball, going on hikes, and flying stunt kites. Email Sam.

Linnea Olfelt

Chancel Handbell Choir Director

Linnea grew up attending North Park Covenant Church and stayed connected to the community during her years at North Park University, where she earned a BA in Biblical and Theological Studies in 2022. Through that time, Linnea dug deep into faith expression through music and is excited for all the opportunities this new season of music and life will offer.

Ella Darrow

High-school Youth Ministry Intern

Ella is a senior accounting major at North Park University and a member of the women’s tennis team. She has been involved with NPCC’s youth ministry since 2023. As the high-school youth ministry intern, she looks forward to leading meaningful conversations and getting to know the students. Outside of school and work, Ella loves to explore the city and try new restaurants. 

Aylin Garcia

Middle-school Youth Ministry Intern

Aylin is a senior at North Park University, where she is pursuing a major in Psychology. She formed part of a discipleship cohort called Crux during her first year at the University. She also became involved with our youth group ministry during the spring and is now excited to be an intern here. Aylin understands the importance of friendship with others and, most important, with Jesus, so loves showing up for the kids. Outside of school and work, she loves reading, playing volleyball, and being with her family. 

Ann-Marie Olson Frisk

Church Administrator

Ann-Marie was born into North Park Covenant Church and is a member of the Chancel Choir. A 1996 graduate of North Park College, she has been on staff at NPCC since December 2013. When not working, she enjoys walking, yoga, sewing, reading, and spending time with her daughter. Email Ann-Marie.

Becky Edwards

Administrative Director,
North Park Church Cooperative Preschool (NPCCP)

Becky has a BA in Biblical Studies, Spanish, and Early Childhood Education from North Park University. She was the assistant teacher at NPCCP during the 2011-2012 school year, followed by teaching second grade at Passages Charter School from 2012 to 2015. She then worked as the Preschool Director here from 2015 to 2017. She left the Preschool to stay home when her children were born and returned in 2020 to take on the role of Administrative Director. Becky and her husband currently live in Logan Square with their young daughter and son. Email Becky.

Lyndsey Wellner

Lead Teacher,
North Park Church Cooperative Preschool

Lyndsey has been working at NPCCP since 2013. She began as a teaching assistant and is now the lead teacher and educational director of the Preschool. She has a BA in English Literature from Miami University and is continuing her studies in Early Childhood Education at Oakton Community College. Lyndsey lives in Irving Park with her teenage son, a former NPCCP student.

Christian Schuetz

Custodian

Christian has worked as our building engineer and landscaper since 2004. Christian graduated from Illinois State with a degree in Agribusiness and Horticulture. He is a model gardener! Married with three grown children, Christian enjoys running, biking, and spending time at his family’s cabin in Hayward, WI.