Ministry Leaders | Burr Ridge Community Church

Pastoral Staff

Rev. Alicia Reese, Pastor

Pastor Alicia completed her Master of Divinity at North Park Theological Seminary, and she is currently working on a Doctorate of Ministry at United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities. Prior to seminary she was a working actor in Chicago and loves integrating the arts into worship and the life of the church. She is an adjunct professor at North Park’s School of Restorative Arts, an inside-out educational program at two state prisons, where she teaches spiritual formation through the arts.

Pastor Alicia has also worked for Feed My Starving Children, a world hunger organization, and even traveled to Haiti with them.

Pastor Alicia is passionate about being a part of God’s work of restorative justice, love, and mercy and is excited about helping to equip the body of Christ to participate in the Kingdom of God. Wherever you are in your journey - she would love to journey with you!

Pastor Alicia is originally from Ann Arbor, Michigan, and loves Michigan football and Zingerman’s coffee. She is married to her wonderful husband, Courtney, and they have two amazing kids. In her free time, Pastor Alicia enjoys restoring furniture and bike rides and hikes with her family.

Jeffrey Sundwall

Music Director

Jeff has been a church musician since high school. In addition to working with UCC congregations, he has also served other denominations in Chicagoland. Jeff holds a degree in Music Education from Rosary College. In addition, he has worked with Alice Parker and Sir David Willcocks at Westminster Choir College. In his spare time, Jeff sings bass with the Elmhurst Choral Union. He and his wife Debbie live in Westchester and have two grown daughters.

Bethany Brewer

Administrative Assistant

Bethany is native to the Chicagoland area and grew up in Carol Stream, IL. After recently living in Denver, Colorado for four years, she and her husband relocated to Palos Heights last May. Bethany has recently enjoyed filling her days with music, exploring the nearby forest preserves with her husband and their two dogs Shenzi and Denver, and reacquainting herself with all of the delicious food, views, and art Chicago has to offer. She is so excited to be at Burr Ridge Community Church and support the church and its congregation!

Mark Malak

Custodian

Mark has been a lifelong resident of Homer Glen. He enjoys floral design, baking and cake decorating, and interior design. He has been decorating church sanctuaries for most of his life and holds a culinary degree from Joliet Junior College. He loves being a part of the BRCC community both as the Custodian and as a church member. Mark has a heart for helping people in any way that he can and is involved in many of the ministries at Burr Ridge Community Church.