Church Staff

Pastor Marty Marks

Pastor for Campus Ministry and Church Administration (Senior Pastor)

“I am deeply honored and humbled to serve as the Pastor of the people of Immanuel as well as to the students of NIU and Kish College.  I see a significant change playing out in both society and church and desire to equip all people, especially young adults to serve as effective leaders in this constantly changing and evolving world.  I LOVE leading Bible studies and having deep and challenging conversations about God, His existence, His Word and plans for us all.”

Education:

  • Bachelors of Arts in History with minors in Military and Political Science from NIU  1992
  • Master of Divinity from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis  1997

Family:

Pastor Marty is married to Krista (Dehlin) Marks. They met at NIU while attending Immanuel and were married in 1993.  They have four children, Riley, Sadie, Carter, and Chloe .  They love living in DeKalb as part of the “townie” crowd. Krista has taught elementary school, run her own Usborne book business with a large national team and now serves as the school social worker for Cortland Elementary.

Hobbies/Interests:

Pastor Marty loves playing games, especially board and card games (modern “Euro games” such as settlers of Catan, Dominion and Ticket to Ride, 7 Wonders and TCG games such as “Magic the gathering”). He also really enjoys Pizza and cheese dip.  More than anything he loves people and appreciates the many relationships the Lord has blessed him with. Pastor Marty and his family lived for 3 months in New Zealand while on sabbatical in early 2019 and they have now have a special place in their heart for the land of the Kiwis!

Katie Martinez

Director Of Little Lambs Preschool

“What do you feel God is leading you to do while serving at Immanuel Lutheran Church?

“I have always felt that children and families are a passion of mine. Even as a child I wanted to be a teacher in Lutheran school. God had different paths for me to follow that led to me to Immanuel, and I am so grateful for those opportunities as I feel they have helped me grow and have prepared me for the leadership role at Little Lambs. My hope is that while I am here I can share the good news of Jesus with our youngest learners. I had the opportunity to attend Lutheran school growing up and it help to lay the foundation of my faith as an adult. My hope is that we can do the same for our children here.”

Education:

I have a bachelors degree in Child Development with a minor in Psychology from Northern Illinois University. I also have most of masters completed in Family and Child Studies.

Family:

I have been happily married to my husband for over 13 years. We have 3 amazing boys ages 11,7, and 5.

Hobbies/Interests:

I love to read in my spare time and scrapbook the many pictures I take. I also enjoy being outdoors, especially in the fall and spring. Those times of year bring joy to my life as the fall shows us the fruits of nature and spring gives us hope for the future.

Darlene Hillman

Office Manager

“What do you feel God is leading you to do while serving at Immanuel Lutheran Church?  I wish I had a clear and simple answer to that.  I have been involved in many things through the years, and always felt that this was indeed my church home and family.  I have been a part of so many things here that Immanuel, and the people here, are a part of who I am, and maybe therefore I am also a part of who and what Immanuel is to others.   It is my prayer that I might be used in a way that would benefit those around me as our Lord has blessed me by bringing me to this place for an outdoor worship with my toddler at my side and my baby daughter in my arms.  Like any family, it has had its ups and downs, but always, it is home.  I hope I can make it a welcome home to others who enter here looking for what I have been given through His grace and love.”

Education:

  • Defiance High School, Defiance Ohio
  • Owens Technical College, Toledo Ohio

Family:

Originally from northwest Ohio,  I have lived in the Sycamore/DeKalb area since 1981, where my husband and I raised our three children, Shawn, Amber & Joel.  The children all graduated from Sycamore High School, and have gone on to further their educations, marry and expand our family with 6 grandchildren.  We still travel back to Ohio to visit our extended family whenever possible.

Hobbies/Interests:

I enjoy many outdoor activities, including gardening, biking, backpacking, hiking and camping.  I am also active in the local community theater group, Stage Coach Players. I also still volunteer extensively at church, having served on many boards and committees throughout the years.

Jessica Molitor

Preschool Teacher

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Olga Nambo

Preschool Teacher

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Cara Leadingham

Preschool Aide

“I feel the purpose of my time at Little Lambs, and indeed my time on earth, is to remind children and adults alike of the always forgiving, always loving, eternal support of Jesus and the perfect plan and love of God. I hope that when my time at Little Lambs has come to end, people will have known me by my acceptance and unconditional love of my preschoolers. I believe we are an extension of their church and their families and that, as that, we are called to teach about the love and acceptance of Jesus and to support and help grow our preschoolers growing faith and understanding of God’s will and promises.

Education:

I have a BS in Psychology from the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana.

Family:

My husband, Brent and I are raising 11 children, ages 10-26, through birth, marriage and adoption. We have been blessed to foster multiple children, 1 of whom remains with us today.

Hobbies/Interests:

Our family enjoys the outdoors together, especially camping, hiking and fishing. During the summers, we are often found at our spot at HiTide Campground in Leland. In the Fall, we can often be found at Shabbona State Park. We love to travel, from Montana to New York to visiting family in Ireland. In my free time, I like sewing and knitting and painting.

Kate Decker

Preschool Aide

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Allyson Campbell

Preschool Aide

“I believe God led me to be an Aide at Little Lambs because he wanted me to help young children learn just as my children had learned from previous teachers at Little Lambs. I think God knew I needed to try something new in life! I LOVE to help teach these wonderful children and prepare them to be going into kindergarten. I am very grateful for the opportunity that I have received and blessed to have such a wonderful, loving job!”

Education:

I was born and raised in Lily Lake, IL and went to Lily Lake elementary school and Burlington middle and high school.

Family:

I am a mother to 3 wonderful boys who have all gone through the Little Lambs program. I have been blessed and able to be a stay at home mom for the past 8 years. I have been married to my wonderful and supportive husband for 13 years! We adopted a Black Lab Riley last year who became a member of the family immediately!!

Hobbies/Interests:

I love to paint and design new ideas for shirts and such. I love to do crafts and activities with my boys. We as a family have been enjoying participating in different 5ks and just going on bike rides and walks. We moved into our home last year as well and have been having so much fun exploring the new neighborhood and trails!

Craig Dybas

Maintenance

“What do you feel God is leading you to do while serving at Immanuel Lutheran Church?  to take care of the building…”

Family:

Craig has two younger sisters and a beautiful daughter!

Hobbies/Interests:

Fishing, swimming and anything out doors especially in warm weather.

Erin Grych

Pre-school Music Teacher

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