The Ministry Team of Hope

MINISTERS - EVERY MEMBER OF HOPE
Pastor: Rev. William C. Ryden
Executive Director: Dwight Sieger                                                                                                                                         Treasurer: Karen Rousculp
Church Administrator: Cathy Wernli

MEET OUR STAFF

Rev. William C. Ryden - Pastor

Pastor Bill Ryden was born and raised in Frankfort, Il. He graduated from Lincoln Way High School in 1990 and went on to Concordia College in Ann Arbor, Mi. There he earned his B.A. with a major in Biblical Languages. During the summer months, he worked at Walcamp Outdoor Ministries as member of the summer staff (‘91-‘94, ‘96) There he met his wife Kim, and they were married in 1995. Pastor Ryden continued his studies at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, MO. His vicarage was at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Eau Claire, WI. Pastor Ryden graduated from the seminary in 1998 and took his first call to Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Milford, NE. He served there just over seven years. While in Nebraska two daughters were born to Bill and Kim – Rebekah and Tabitha. In 2005, Pastor Ryden and his family moved back to Frankfort. In 2006, Pastor Ryden was called to Immanuel Lutheran Church in Mokena, IL where he served for ten years as Associate Pastor. While in Mokena, two sons were born to Kim and Bill – Matthew and Nathanael. Then in 2016, Pastor Ryden received a call to Hope Lutheran Church in Shorewood, Il. where he has served ever since. Pastor Ryden enjoys golfing and helping out with his daughter’s theater group. He serves on the board of directors for Walcamp.

Cathy Wernli - Church Administrator

Cathy Wernli was born and raised in Chicago, IL. She graduated from J.F. Kennedy High School and attended several Junior Colleges in the area for specific classes in which she was interested.  Cathy currently resides in Crest Hill with her husband Ken and has one son, Bryan, married to Sarah, and two grandchildren. Over the past thirty years, Cathy worked for the largest chemical distribution company in North America as an Office Manager and Customer Service Manager before coming to Hope Lutheran Church. Cathy has been the Church Administrator at Hope Lutheran Church since Oct. 5 2020. In her spare time Cathy enjoys spending time with her family (especially those grandkids) and friends, reading, decorating cakes and crocheting prayer shawls.