Welcome to Christ Church
For more than forty-five years Christ Church has been a beacon of hope in Lake County helping people discover life with God. Even though we are four campuses, we are one church that believes life is better together. We hope when you visit one of our locations you will find a warm and welcoming place to connect with friends and grow your faith. We are not meant to go it alone, so no matter where you are on your spiritual journey, you are welcome here.
I hope to meet you soon!
Press On,
Who We Are
Our Mission: To Help People Discover Life with God.
Know
God
Experience a real, personal relationship with God through engaging worship, biblical teaching, and discovering His unchanging love for you.
What We Believe
The Bible
We believe that the sixty-six canonical books of the Bible (as originally written) were inspired by God, hence free from error. They constitute the only infallible guide in faith and life.
God
We believe that there is one God, the Creator and Preserver of all things, infinite in being and perfection. He exists eternally in three Persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, Who are one substance and equal in power and glory.
Sin
We believe that man, created in the image of God, through disobedience fell from his sinless state at the suggestion of Satan. This fall plunged man into a state of sin and spiritual death, and brought upon the entire race the sentence of eternal death. From this condition, man can be saved only by the grace of God, through faith, on the basis of the work of Christ, and by the agency of the Holy Spirit.
Salvation
We believe that every believer, having turned to God in repentance and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, is accountable to God for living a life separated from sin and characterized by the fruit of the Spirit and also that it is every Christian’s privilege and responsibility to do that work of God in the world.
Jesus Christ
We believe that the eternally preexistent Son became incarnate without human father, having been conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. Thus in the Lord Jesus Christ divine and human natures were united in one Person, both natures being whole, perfect and distinct. To effect salvation, He lived a sinless life and died on the cross as the sinner’s substitute, shedding His blood for the remission of sins. On the third day, He rose from the dead in the body which had been laid in the tomb. He ascended to the right hand of the Father, where He performs the ministry of intercession. He shall come again, personally and visibly, to complete His saving work and to consummate the eternal plan of God.
The Holy Spirit
We believe that the Holy Spirit is the third Person of the Triune God. He applies to man the work of Christ. By justification and adoption, man is given a right standing before God; by regeneration, sanctification and glorification, man’s nature is renewed. He indwells the believer as comforter and guide and empowers him to walk in newness of life.
Eternity
We believe that at the end of the age the dead shall be bodily raised. The righteous shall enter into full possession of eternal bliss in the presence of God, and the wicked shall be condemned to eternal death.
CHRIST CHURCH ANNUAL MEETING
MONDAY, JUNE 30, 7 – 8:30 PM
Mark your calendars for our Annual Meeting on Monday, June 30th from 7-8:30PM at our Crossroads/Grayslake campus. Come hear Pastor Mike’s yearly update, elder candidate testimonies and enjoy fellowship with people from all four campuses. Members will vote on next year’s budget and elect new elders. We hope you’ll participate in this night and embrace the chance to shape the future of Christ Church.
CHRIST CHURCH BUDGET MEETINGS
We will be holding budget meetings at 7PM over Zoom to discuss the budget for our 2025 – 2026 fiscal year.
DATES: WEDNESDAY 6/18 | TUESDAY 6/24 | THURSDAY 6/26 | SUNDAY 6/29
PASSCODE: 647668
Elder Candidates
Bruce Ankenman
Bruce Ankenman is a dedicated professor, counselor, and longtime member of Christ Church, where he has served in various ministries for nearly three decades. Alongside his wife, Barbara, Bruce has been actively involved in shepherding middle school students for over 20 years, mentoring youth pastors, and leading small groups—both for men and couples. His extensive service includes roles as an usher, deacon, elder, missions board member, and interim missions director, reflecting his deep commitment to the church’s mission.
Bruce feels called to serve as an elder during this pivotal time, believing the Church must boldly shine God’s love in a chaotic world. He hopes to help Christ Church lead the way in reaching seekers who may not yet see the Church as a place of hope and peace. With a Master of Counseling degree and a heart for pastoral care, Bruce is passionate about comforting the grieving, visiting the sick, and offering spiritual guidance. As an elder, he seeks to prayerfully discern God’s will, support the pastors, and encourage the congregation to live out faith with love and boldness.
Ryan Harvey
Ryan C. Harvey is the Managing Partner at Meridian Compensation Partners, where he advises corporate boards on executive compensation. Married to his wife, Annette, for 28 years, Ryan considers his marriage his greatest blessing, and together they have raised three children—George (23), Andrew (21), and Sarah (19)—who grew up in Christ Church’s Lighthouse and SHYG ministries.
A devoted member for 28 years, Ryan has served in multiple leadership roles, including Missions Board member, Deacon Chair, Elder Chair, and small group leader. He and Annette have hosted couples’ groups, and Ryan currently leads a men’s small group while also assisting with the church’s safety team. His heart for discipleship and spiritual growth fuels his desire to serve as an elder once again.
Ryan believes elders are called to guard biblical truth, shepherd the congregation, and provide wise governance. He is eager to support the church’s mission in any way needed, particularly in fostering deeper discipleship and helping believers live out their faith daily. With a deep love for Christ and His Church, Ryan is excited to see how God will continue working through Christ Church in the years ahead.
Harold Smith
Harold Smith is a devoted grandfather, seasoned publishing veteran (with over 40 years in editorial and executive roles), and a faithful servant of Christ. Married to his beloved wife, Judy, for 51½ years, Harold treasures family—including his son Kevin (42), daughter-in-law Brenna, and “the world’s most beautiful grandson,” Malcolm. The loss of his eldest son, Andrew, at age 41 deepened Harold’s urgency for sharing the Gospel, knowing that “tomorrow is never guaranteed.”
Since joining Christ Church in 2020 and becoming members in 2023, Harold and Judy have embraced the Highland Park campus as their spiritual home. Harold serves on the preaching team, leads the prayer ministry, and serves on the Lakelight Institute board, while Judy is active in care ministries, children’s ministry, and Community Bible Study. Together, they cherish their small group as a vital part of their faith journey.
Having previously served as an elder, Harold feels called to this role again—to support the church’s leadership, uphold biblical truth, and help discern God’s direction for Christ Church’s future. He is passionate about fostering deeper prayer, evangelism, and mentoring, believing the church must boldly proclaim Christ while cultivating discipleship. For Harold, eldership is about shepherding God’s people with humility, wisdom, and a readiness to pray, teach, and walk alongside others in their faith.
Our Leadership
Christ Church is led by Elders, Deacons, and Staff.
Elders
Except for any matters specifically reserved to the Members, the Elders, who are elected for a fixed term, oversee the senior pastor and the affairs of the Church.
Elders:
Pranob Bhattacharya
Bob Buckley
Phil Chung
Nathan Clayton
Jeff Hays (Chair)
Dave Kawala
Scott Morcott
Michael Walsh
Mike Woodruff
Tony Zamble
Deacons
Subject to the oversight of the Elders, and except for any matters specifically reserved to the Members, the Deacons, who are elected for a fixed term, oversee the business affairs of the Church.
Deacons:
William Bast
Sonja Gibson
Kendrick Gordon
Steve Griffith
Brad Hahn
Leslie McClellan
Kendall Mills
Mike Neil
Bill Oakley
Kevin Scott (Chair)
Eric Tienou
Lisa Walsh
Hui Yi
