Those who labor among you

Leadership

These are the people that will greet you when you visit Chicago West. Their mission is to equip you and encourage you as you mature in the Lord.

Jon Kelly, Lead Pastor

Jon Kelly was born in Chicago, IL and raised in Philadelphia, Pa. He has a B.A in Theology from Moody Bible Institute, a M.A in Biblical Studies at Wheaton College, and is currently earning his Doctorate in Global Missions at Southern Theological Seminary. As someone formerly incarcerated, Jon has a heart for serving families that have been impacted by incarceration and who are often forgotten. He and his wife Danielle have been married for 12 years and have 3 sons.

Kent Steiner, Assistant Pastor

Kent grew a love for the city and the people of Chicago at 18 years of age when he came to be trained at Moody Bible Institute in Biblical Studies and Ministry. He met his wife Deanna while serving together as MBI students in Cabrini-Green housing. He then served at Breakthrough Urban Ministries in Chicago for 9 years. God gave Kent a clear call to pastoral ministry through a local church. In 2001, he joined Harvest Bible Chapel as the Pastor of Compassion Ministry. In 2016 Pastor Kent joined Pastor Jon Kelly in planting Chicago West Bible Church.

Kent and his wife Deanna are privileged to come alongside of Pastor Jon and Danielle in serving the body at Chicago West! Kent and Deanna have three children, Riley, Rayna, and Roslyn. Kent enjoys exploring cities, ethnic restaurants, firing up a good barbecue, and participating in almost any outdoor activity and sport!

Our Elders

Jerome Beane

Jerome Beane

Since September 2018, Jerome has served as an Elder. He and his wife, Stefanie, have three children and have been members of Chicago West Bible Church since its inception in 2016.

Matt Baron

Matt Baron

Since September 2018, Matt has served as an Elder. He and his wife, Bridgett, have two teen-aged children and have been members of Chicago West Bible Church since its inception in 2016.

Kent Steiner

Kent Steiner

Pastor Kent has served as a pastor and elder since the inception of Chicago West Bible Church in 2016.

Jon Kelly

Jon Kelly

Pastor Jon has served as a pastor and elder since the inception of Chicago West Bible Church in 2016.

Our Leaders

Jon Kelly, Lead Pastor

Pastor Jon serves by caring for the church body, equipping the saints, and is the primary preaching pastor at Chicago West.

Kent Steiner, Associate Pastor

Pastor Kent faithfully serves by helping to care for our church body. He also leads our church in all Community Outreach initiatives.

Angela Pryor, Ministry Assistant

Angie helps to run all of our behind the scenes logistics which allows our ministries to function.  Faithful, Prayerful, and Humble; Angie serves on staff at Chicago West.

Grace Annen, Interim Children's Director

Grace faithfully serves as our Children Director by helping children find and follow Jesus. She is excited to enable and equip adults to love and disciple children in a safe environment. Grace serves on staff at Chicago West.

Mike Pryor, Prayer Ministry

Mike, along with his wife Angie, are the primary leaders of our Prayer Ministry. Mike is a faithful prayer warrior and faithfully serves in whatever capacity he is needed. Mike is also a Biblical Soul Care Counselor.

Samuel Forshtay, Director of Ministries

Samuel serves the Chicago West church body by developing leaders, training disciples, and organizing healthy structures for ministries where needed. Samuel is married to Kristina and both lead worship occasionally on Sunday mornings. Samuel and Kristina are proud parents of their daughter, Anna. 

Danielle Kelly, Women's Ministry Coordinator

Danielle faithfully serves the women of Chicago West by leading our Women’s Ministry team. Proud wife of Pastor Jon Kelly and mother of two rambunctious boys, Benjamin and Judah. She loves to podcast and read in her leisure time.

Ethan Coke, Pastoral Resident

Ethan and his wife, Hanna, have faithfully served as youth ministry leaders at Chicago West for many years. Ethan is now serving on staff, overseeing youth and counseling ministries and providing care for our senior adult ministry (Seasoned Saints).

Our Deacons

ASHLEE NELSON

Member since 2017

Why I serve as a deacon: I just want to show others the same love Christ has shown me!

William Wright

Member since 2017

Why I serve as a deacon: I am fully persuaded this is my calling. I love the examples set by Chicago West leadership; I will follow them as they follow Christ!

Antoinette Wheat

Member since March 2022

Why I serve as a deacon: I love the opportunity to be the hands and feet of Jesus! I seek to love and serve the broken and hurting and sometimes helpless individuals in this community or our local church.

Rachel Campbell

Founding member (Spring 2016)

Why I serve as a deacon: Christ has put it on my heart to serve his people, to be a tangible representation of His hands and feet, and to disciple believers in the Word.

MIKE PRYOR

Founding member (Spring 2016)

Why I serve as a deacon: I am born, raised and born again in Chicago, IL. I love Jesus Christ and love serving His people, and crying out to Him for them.

ZACH NELSON

Member since 2017

Why I serve as a deacon: Christ came to serve, not to be served, and it’s my joy to follow after Him.