Who we are

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At The Sanctuary, we are helping everyday people become passionate followers of Jesus Christ. Our church body is made up of an amazing group of people. They each have individual talents and gifts they contribute each week to serve each other and those who visit our church.

We are led by a dedicated team of staff, directors and elders who love the Lord and want to help others grow in their walk with Christ. We asked the staff and directors to answer two to four questions to help you get to know them a little bit better. Check out their photos below, read their quotes, and come meet them on Sunday!

Ronn Smith – Lead Pastor

Pastor Ronn has been the senior pastor at The Sanctuary since the church began in September 2000. Ronn graduated from Wheaton College as a business major. He worked in the business world several years before earning his Masters of Divinity from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School.

Ronn and his wife, Michele, have three awesome kids.

Favorite hobbies: spending time with my wife and my kids, playing basketball, hitting a little white ball a long way and the outdoors.

Favorite place I have traveled: Israel. Walking where Jesus walked and experiencing His presence on the Mount of Olives was something I will never forget.

Ben Wangler – Associate Pastor

Ben joined the staff of The Sanctuary in the fall of 2009 after completing his Masters program at Moody Bible Institute. He and his wife, Holly, have been leading the Senior High Ministry (Crossfire) at The Sanctuary since 2008.

Ben and Holly are the parents of an active little boy.

Favorite hobbies: golfing, softball, football, fishing, hunting and boating.

Favorite place I have traveled: Galena, Ill. I loved the beautiful scenery and golf courses

Favorite food: Homemade Rival Soup (German Dish)

Favorite day of the week: Monday! Everything is a little more laid back on Monday. Tuesdays through Sundays are crazy for pastors!

Stephani Suwanski – Creative Arts Director

Stephani has been serving as worship director since 2004 and officially became a staff member as the Creative Arts Director in 2008. She was on staff as a worship director at another church from 1996-2001, she teaches music at a Christian school and gives private music lessons.

Stephani received her bachelor of science in music from Indiana University Bloomington. Go HOOSIERS! She and her husband Ian have three creative boys.

Best place I have traveled: Cancun, for our honeymoon. It was a total surprise for me, I was told where we were going in the cab on the way to the airport. I liked it best for two reasons. The beautiful water and no worries or deadlines for five whole days.

Favorite Hobbies: dates with my husband, coffee with friends, running, playing outside with my boys, making music, playing sports, and watching old movies.

Terra Atkinson – KidsTown Ministry Director

Terra has been the KidsTown Director since May of 2008.

She received her bachelor of arts degree in Cross Cultural Studies and a bachelor of arts degree in Biblical Studies from Northwestern College. She was on staff at a Puget Sound church as Children’s Ministries Director for three years prior to moving to California and having kids. She also directed the Awana program at a church in California, which saw over 300 kids and 75 leaders every week!

She and her husband, Ben, are blessed with four awesomely fun little girls.

Favorite food: I don’t know if I could pick ONE favorite food. Rather, here’s an example of a GREAT meal (although I think if I ever actually ate all of this in one sitting, I’d explode): My husband’s teriyaki steak on the grill, some garlic cheesy mashed potatoes (instant, from a box), a nice big side of my mom’s spaghetti, a tomato and mozzarella salad, a large McDonald’s coke, a large glass of my mom’s sweet tea, and a big piece of Portillo’s chocolate cake for dessert.

Favorite place to travel: Back home. To my house. No matter where I have been, and the fun things I may have done or seen, the trip back home is always the best. There’s just something about the comforts of your own home that you don’t fully appreciate until you haven’t slept in your bed, on your pillow, or showered in your own shower, or opened up your own fridge for a late night snack – that no fancy resort anywhere could ever match. But don’t get the wrong impression – if anyone ever wants to give me an all-expense paid trip to any exotic locale (preferably one free of any “wildlife” or “woodland creatures”) I would be on that plane in a heartbeat!

Emily Neal – Communications Director

Emily has been on staff at The Sanctuary since June, 2010. She has 10 years of professional experience in the newspaper industry as a reporter, editor, online editor and bureau chief. For the past nine years, she has balanced her life as a stay-at-home mom with an at-home business.

Emily received her bachelor’s degree in journalism from University of Illinois and her master’s degree in public affairs reporting from University of Illinois at Springfield. She also helped start the women’s ministry at The Sanctuary.

Emily and her husband, Kent, have four creative and energetic children — two boys and two girls.

Favorite hobbies: When I’m not hanging out with my kids or husband, I love to write my blog, ride my bike, go for walks and listen to music.

Favorite place to travel: I love to travel! Some of my favorite trips have included going on safari in Zambia, Africa; riding mountain bikes in Moab, Utah; sitting on the beach in Rio deJaneiro; and enjoying the view in the Smoky Mountains.

Cheryl Lynn Cain – Justice and Compassion Ministry Director

Cheryl Lynn had been trying to get to Africa for about 10 years until she finally realized that in many ways, God had already brought the nations here. With this realization came a freedom to use her gifts in the place she was, serving as a host family for newly arrived refugee families as well as coordinating an annual fair trade bazaar to benefit artisans in developing countries.

She is excited to bring these experiences to The Sanctuary as well as stretch us to ask ourselves, “what’s my passion for compassion?”

She loves cooking ethnic foods, debating almost any topic and exploring world music (right now she’s in a Bollywood phase). She is on this adventure with her husband Grant and their three adorable children, two boys and a girl.

Favorite place to travel: I love traveling around the world (18 countries so far!). But my favorite vacation as of late has actually been to Vermont and upstate New York.

Favorite food: I love a good taco. I also can’t say no to a mean bread pudding. Add a spiced rum sauce to it and we’re friends for life!