Called to serve as Senior Pastor at Palos Park Presbyterian Community Church in August, 1990, theRev. James R. Tony has a passion for knowing Jesus Christ through Scripture and for teaching the Word in as many ways as possible. “PT” as he is known inside the congregation is married to Patricia (Barry) Tony.  They have two married children. Kara LiVecche with her husband Marc have two of the Tonys’ grandchildren.  The Rev. Jonathan J. Tony is married to Emily Hutson and serves the Ocean Springs Presbyterian Church in Mississippi, and they have the third grandchild. Jim enjoys photography, gardening, golf, traveling, technology and bread baking. His ministry areas at PPPCC include worship, adult education, administration and planning.  But he enjoys the variety of pastoral life.

jrtony@pppcc.org

Pastor David Carlton has been at PPPCC for six and a half years.  Prior to that, he and his wife Jane lived in New Jersey, where they met at Princeton Theological Seminary.  David and Jane have a 21 month old son, Liam, who they declare is “brilliant” in a completely unbiased way and on March 25th they brought home Katherine Alice Carlton.  David is responsible for the Caring and Nurture ministries at the church including the Board of Deacons and Stephen Ministries.  He also works with the Small Group ministries and is very invested in the ALPHA Course. When he’s not in his office or out visiting, he is often at Trinity Christian College, where he teaches the Basic and Intermediate Koine Greek courses.  He is also currently working toward his Doctorate of Ministry at Trinity International University in Deerfield.David loves watching and playing sports, strumming on his guitar, reading a good book, and (of course) playing with Liam and cuddling with Katie!

dcarlton@pppcc.org

Megan began her ministry at PPPCC on January 18, 2011.  She has hit the ground running working with the Chancel Choir, Children’s Choirs, Hand Bell Choir, and the Praise Team.  A classically trained soprano, Megan comes to us with 12 years of professional church music ministry experience as well as experience teaching in the public schools and conducting community choirs.  She received her BM in Music Education from Lawrence University, MM in Choral Conducting from Northern Illinois University, and the Artist Teacher Diploma from the CME Institute for Choral Teacher Education.  Most recently, Megan studied conducting with Simon Carrington at the Sarteano Chamber Conducting workshop in Sarteano, Italy.  Megan has a passion for sustaining traditional music forms as vehicles for inspirational worship while joyfully embracing newer styles of music and worship as well.  Megan and her husband Bart have two daughters, Frances and Eliana. 

megan@pppcc.org

Maggie Downs came to Palos Park Presbyterian Church in December of 1998.  She grew up in the Chicago area and later served a church in the Ft. Lauderdale area of Florida for 10 years.  She has spent her entire career working with children and volunteers, as a Recreational Therapist and as a Children’s Ministry Director.  She loves helping children (and volunteers) learn about God and the Bible, learn new skills and develop their creativity.   In her free time she likes walking in the woods, reading, and learning new things.

Robert "Bob" Van Baren came to Palos Park Presbyterian Community Church in July 2005 to take up the ministry with junior high and senior high students as a full-time staff member. Formerly Youth Director at the First Reformed Church in South Holland, Illinois.  Bob has over 13 years of experience in youth ministry and is still going strong.  What keeps him passionate about youth ministry is his love for Christ and for students.  Bob also has experience in their issues, needs and concerns. Mission trips, retreats, sports, discipleship and "hanging out" characterizes his time as he invites youth to consider the claims of Christian faith. Bob is married to Kristine, who is a history professor at Moraine Valley Community College. Bob and Kristine also have two daughters, Kyra and Delilah.  Bob is currently working on his Masters in Transformational Leadership from Bethel Seminary in St. Paul, MN.