Born: Cartagena, Colombia
Raised: Chicagoland
Education: Biblical Studies, Business & Master of Divinity
How long at Addison? Since 2012
Favorite pizza: Lou Malnati's
Choice eat in Roscoe Village: Sinya Mediterranean
Favorite book of the Bible: Hebrews
A book I recommend: Knowing God by J.I. Packer
Favorite sports: Baseball and NFL
Responsibilities: Member; ministry of Word and prayer; shepherding; training leaders

I was born into a moderately devout Catholic home in Cartagena, Colombia. Several years later, after my parents came back to the United States, a  neighbor invited my mother to study the Bible with her. Within six months, Jesus Christ had saved my mom out of a works-based understanding of salvation, right here in Chicago. God graciously saved my dad, too, shortly thereafter. A few years later (as a 10-year-old.), I attended a summer vacation Bible school where a young, fire-and-brimstone preacher called us to faith and repentance. The Holy Spirit persuaded me to the core that I couldn't save myself, and so, he brought me to repentance and faith in Christ.

Rachel and I met during my graduate school years in South Carolina and married in the winter of 2002.  God brought along our firstborn, William Haddon, in 2003 while serving in Mexico. In 2006, we experienced the bitter providence of the stillbirth of our son, Nicolas Augusto. God in his kindness and mercy, however, blessed us with Gabrielle Analise in 2007. Then, Jacob Martin rounded out our team in 2014.

God led us to Addison Street Community Church through one of my closest friends, Kevin Oberlin, whose parents, Ralph & Mary, came to faith through this church over 40 years ago.

Born: Chicago, IL
Raised: McKinley Park neighborhood
Education: B.A. Bible/Religion, M.A. Pastoral Theology & Masters of Divinity
Married since: 2000 to Kirsten
Children: Bobby, William, Darrell & Kaija
How long at Addison? Since November 2025
Favorite Chicago pizza: Connie's Deep Dish
Favorite restaurant in Roscoe Village: So far Sinya
Favorite book of the Bible: Psalms, Proverbs, 1 Peter
First non-biblical book recommendation:  Endurance, Alfred Lansing
Favorite sport: Basketball
Responsibilities at Addison: Word, prayer, shepherding and evangelism

How long have you been at Addison? Since 2021
Born and raised: Reno, Nevada
Education: Moody Bible Institute, Pastoral Studies
Family: Married to the lovely Ashlee since Oct 2024
Favorite books of the Bible: Leviticus and Hebrews
First book recommendation outside the Bible: The Body of Divinity by Thomas Watson
Favorite sport: Baseball & College Football (Go Blue)
Favorite podcast: Pastors Talk, Theology in Particular
Favorite musical artists: Keith and Kristen Getty, Luke Combs, Sovereign Grace Music.
Favorite pizza in Chicago: Spacca Napolii
Favorite restaurant in Roscoe Village: Burrito House
Role at Addison: Deacon, and training to shepherd the flock.

How long have you been at Addison? January 2024
Born and raised: Northern California
Education: BA in English from The Masters University
Family: Married to one wonderful husband Javier Cortez
Favorite books of the Bible: Genesis, Psalms, Ruth, Acts, Colossians, Hebrews
First book recommendation outside the Bible: A Chance to Die (Christian) ; Welcome to the Hyunam Dong Bookshop (secular)
Favorite sport: Baseball
Favorite podcast: Missions Talk
Favorite musical artists: Keith and Kristen Getty, D.O., Music Travel Love, BTS, MeloMance, The Rose.
Favorite pizza in Chicago: Spacca Napolii
Favorite restaurant in Roscoe Village: John's Place
Roles at Addison: Deaconness, Women's ministry co-leader; Missions Advocacy Team

How long have you been at Addison? Since 2023
Born and raised: San Juan, Puerto Rico, USA (then 8 different countries)
Education: Depauw University
Family: Married to Janelle; Kids: Tristan, Evangeline, Jasper
Favorite books of the Bible: Proverbs, Matthew, Colossians
A book I really like: East of Eden 
Favorite sport: Football
Favorite podcast: Dadville 
Favorite musical artist: Dave Barnes
Favorite pizza in Chicago: Easy Street
Favorite restaurant in Roscoe Village: Pizza Bella