Meet The Staff

Mike Gates

Lead Pastor

Mike has been the Lead Pastor of Living Hope Church for over 17 years and has a desire to see people become fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ. He has a passion for relational ministry and enjoys connecting with the families of the church. He and his wife Gayla have two sons, a daughter-inlaw, and one granddaughter. Mike enjoys spending time with his family, golf, photography, and fishing.

Jay Manguba

Executive Pastor

Jay has been attending Living Hope with his wife, Faith and their two children since May 2005. Jay joined the staff in March 2010 after deciding to leave a twelve-year corporate America career to pursue a calling to ministry. Jay is passionate about developing leaders, challenging Christians to live with authenticity, and helping the unchurched to discover Jesus. Jay loves discovering new restaurants and loves to watch and play all sports.

Keegan Walsh

Family and Student Pastor

Keegan is a graduate of North Central University with a B.A. in Youth Ministries and joined the Living Hope staff in January 2011. He has a passion for students and seeing them become fully committed followers of Jesus Christ. Keegan was married to his wife Christa in 2010 and enjoys spending his time with her. His hobbies include media design using Apple Computers, being on or around lakes and skateboarding/snowboarding among other sports.

Jason Lowe

Family and Children Pastor

Jason serves as Living Hope Church’s Family and Children Pastor and is deeply passionate about people of all ages receiving all that Christ offers, including the challenge to “go and make disciples” to everyone everywhere. Jason has almost 17 years of ministry experience both in the church and para-church context. Jason and his beautiful and talented wife Apryl live in Elgin with their two wonderful and crazy boys, Jacob and Myles. Jason loves sports, date nights with Apryl and hanging out with his extended family.

Susan Tolentino

Early Childhood Pastor

Susan serves as the Early Childhood Pastor of Living Hope Church and enjoys ministering to families by taking great care of their children. She leads a great team of leaders that make sure that every child is taken great care of not only physically but also spiritually. Susan enjoys time spent with her husband and three daughters.

Earl French

Visitation Pastor

Earl provides pastoral care for the sick and shut-ins, through regular visitation and prayer. He has been part of the staff for thirty two years and has led prayer teams and services. He is passionate about teaching others about the power that is released when people come together to pray. He and his wife, Ruth have been married for fifty three years. They have two children and seven grandchildren.

Elaine Laky

Office Manager and Pastoral Assistant

Elaine is responsible for the organization and coordination of office operations, procedures and resources as well as provides assistance to the pastoral staff. She and her husband Matt and their daughter have been attending Living Hope since 2007. Elaine joined the office staff in 2010. She enjoys the outdoors, spending time with her family and playing with her five pet birds.

Lisa Prince

Administrative Assistant/Web/Print

Lisa provides secretarial and clerical assistance to the staff as well as maintains the website and coordinates the church calendar. Lisa has been attending Living Hope for 22 years and has been on staff for the last ten. Lisa and her husband have been married since 1988 and have two teenage sons. She loves spending time with her family, gardening and playing tennis.

Cheryl Gleason

Database Coordinator

Cheryl serves as the Database Coordinator and is highly involved the Family and Kids ministry. She is the editor of the LHC Newsletter and uses her talents in many other areas at Living Hope Church. Cheryl enjoys time with her husband, daughter, and has one on the way.

Vi Neenan

Office Assistant

Vi serves as an Office Assistant at Living Hope Church and you might hear her friendly voice when you call the church office. She has been faithfully serving the Living Hope Church family for many years, and does it all with a smile. Vi has been married for 39 years and has four children and four grandchildren. She enjoys reading, bible study and especially mingling with people.

Sandy Burns

Office Assistant

Sandy is a new face to the Living Hope Church team but has become a great help in a short time. She is an Office Assistant and is a key part of helping the workflow in the office moving at a great pace.

Bob Marx

Building and Grounds Manager

Bob, the Jack of all trades, has been serving Living Hope in his current role since 2001. Bob and his wife Roberta, have been married since 1970 and have four sons and six beautiful grandchildren. In Bob’s free time, you can find him playing his electric guitar or fishing on his kayak.

Glorifying God by developing fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ to affect our world.