Our Staff
Tom Loyola
Senior Pastor
Tom has served as Senior Pastor since November 2004. He and Sue Ann married in 1980, they are the grateful parents of a married daughter and a college-age son, and they have partnered together in pastoral ministry since 1984. Tom received his Master of Theology and Doctor of Ministry degrees from Dallas Theological Seminary and enjoys reading, running, board games, and a good movie.
Contact
Email: [email protected]
John McClung
Assistant Pastor
John has served as Assistant Pastor since August 2016. He previously served as Youth Pastor from April 2007-August 2016. He has been happily married to Patricia for over 18 years. They have a son in middle school. John and Patricia served for three years as missionaries in South America. John has his Master of Arts in Christian Education degree from Dallas Theological Seminary and enjoys travelling and serving as chaplain for our local police department.
Contact
Email: [email protected]
Nate Johnson
Worship & Student Ministry Director
Nathan (or Nate to most) started his position at Journey Church in June 2017. Nathan and his wife Christine have been married since September 2016 and have a beautiful baby girl, Rebekah. Nate completed the School of Worship program from the Quad Cities Prayer Center in 2008. Nate plays many different instruments, and desires to use his gifting for the glory of God through music and teaching. His favorite pastimes include reading, cooking, watching a good movie, and many rounds of Settlers of Catan.
Contact
Email: [email protected]
Joy Lower
Children's Ministry Director
Joy and her family moved to the Clinton area in June 2017 and began attending E-Free at that time. Previously she had directed the children’s ministry for a mid-week moms’ group and taught Sunday School at her former church in St. Louis, Missouri. Joy is married to Jason and they have six children ranging in age from 2 to 12. She loves reading, being outdoors with her family, and caring for their collection of animals.
Contact
Email: [email protected]
Corrine Sheets
Administrative Assistant & Facility Coordinator
Corrine accepted Christ at four years old and rededicated her life to Christ at thirteen. Corrine grew up in an Evangelical Free church in Rockford, IL, First Free Rockford, and served in their children’s ministry and communications department for over 9 years and 3 years respectively. She now serves at Journey Church in the Music Team, A/V Team, and as a life group leader for the middle school girls.
Corrine met her husband Samuel at a bible study group in Clinton, IA, and they have been married since August 2017. Corrine has two bachelor’s degrees from Ashford University in Visual Art and Computer Graphic Communications. Corrine enjoys using her creative gifts in the arts to bring glory and praise to God.
Contact
Email: [email protected]
Elder Board
Jon Balk
Elder
Jon was born and raised in Fulton Illinois, the son of John H. and Katherine Balk. He accepted Christ as his Savior at an early age and spent his childhood heavily bathed in the teaching of God’s Word. He currently lives near Erie, Illinois. Jon married his wife Lisa in 1981, and they have 3 grown children, Justin, Amy, and Sara. Jon and Lisa currently have 7 grandchildren. Jon retired from Exelon Nuclear at Quad Cities Nuclear Plant after spending 34 years in Maintenance. He loves the Lord and counts this church and this church family as one of his greatest blessings.
Chris Pluister
Elder
Chris is a born-again child of God. He began publicly professing his faith in Christ at a young age. He is the husband of Becky since 2001, father of Faith, Lilleigh, Calvin, and niece Serene. Chris values family, marriage, and absolute Truth. He and his family came to Journey Church in 2008 after moving here from the south suburbs of Chicago. He served 5 years on the Trustee Board and six years as a lead usher before joining the Elder Board. His career is also a ministry; Chris is the principal and spiritual head of Unity Christian School under Christ.
Scott Smith
Elder Chair
Scott is married to Tracy, and has two daughters, Audrey and Sidney. Scott grew up in Indiana, and graduated from Purdue University. He moved to Houston after graduating to start his career in chemical engineering. His family then moved to Clinton in 2008, where Scott works for Lyondell Basell. Scott was born again when he was 8 years old, and has been a Christ follower ever since.