Welcome Pastor Linda!
Quest leadership is excited to announce that Pastor Linda Vonck has been appointed to Quest UMC as our new pastor, starting Jan 1, 2025 !
Pastor Linda brings a wealth of experience, passion, and spiritual guidance to our community. She'll be a wonderful addition to our church family and help us grow in faith and love. Linda will assume pastoral responsibilities on January 1, move mid-January, and begin preaching February 2.
There will be many opportunities in the next few months to show her our hospitality in tangible ways. Let's extend a warm welcome to Pastor Linda! We look forward to the many blessings she will bring to our church.
Pastor Linda brings a wealth of experience, passion, and spiritual guidance to our community. She'll be a wonderful addition to our church family and help us grow in faith and love. Linda will assume pastoral responsibilities on January 1, move mid-January, and begin preaching February 2.
There will be many opportunities in the next few months to show her our hospitality in tangible ways. Let's extend a warm welcome to Pastor Linda! We look forward to the many blessings she will bring to our church.
What is my role?
You can do three things to help during this transition.
First, praise God! Thank God for bringing Pastor Linda to our church. Arrive in plenty of time to get a good seat for Pastor Linda's first service on Feb 3rd, 2025.
Second, pray for Pastor Linda and Quest. Moving and starting a new job can be stressful. Pray for a smooth transition and clear guidance from God. Pray that our Quest family will feel the same sense of peace and confirmation as is felt by Pastor Linda and the leadership team.
Third, "lean in" to the Quest community. Our outgoing pastor, Casey, recently reminded us that "connection is a choice, not an accident." Times of change may tempt us to "lean out" from relationships in the church, adopting a "wait and see" attitude. But this is also an opportunity to lean in, be more intentional connecting with church family, and committing to help out however you can.
First, praise God! Thank God for bringing Pastor Linda to our church. Arrive in plenty of time to get a good seat for Pastor Linda's first service on Feb 3rd, 2025.
Second, pray for Pastor Linda and Quest. Moving and starting a new job can be stressful. Pray for a smooth transition and clear guidance from God. Pray that our Quest family will feel the same sense of peace and confirmation as is felt by Pastor Linda and the leadership team.
Third, "lean in" to the Quest community. Our outgoing pastor, Casey, recently reminded us that "connection is a choice, not an accident." Times of change may tempt us to "lean out" from relationships in the church, adopting a "wait and see" attitude. But this is also an opportunity to lean in, be more intentional connecting with church family, and committing to help out however you can.
FAQ
1. When will the new pastor start?
Her appointment begins on Jan 1st. Pastor Linda is looking forward to a vacation (planned prior to the new appointment) with her family in early January and then moving from Dunlap, IL to the Quest parsonage in Savoy. She will be preaching her first sermon at Quest on Feb 3, 2025.
2. What part of our community will the new pastor live in?
Pastor Linda will reside in the Quest Parsonage, located in Savoy.
3. What was the process that the search team went through to find our new pastor?
The Staff-Parish Relations Committee (SPRC) and Lead Team worked together, along with input from the congregation, to describe the culture, norms, symbols and relational style of Quest. This missional lens was an important factor as the Bishop and his cabinet worked through their process of finding the right appointment for Quest. Please find detailed information of the process here.
4. What is the new pastor's family like?
Pastor Linda is the mother to 4 grown daughters, and 9 grandchildren. They are spread out, but 1 daughter and 2 grandchildren live in the C-U area and attend(ed) Judah.
5. When will I get to meet the new pastor?
The Lead Team will host a welcome gathering coinciding with Pastor Linda's start. Details to come.
6. Are there any resources to help ease the transition?
Changing Pastors? It's Going to be Okay - United Methodist Communications
7. I have more questions, who should I ask?
Reach out to anyone on the SPRC team (Kim Clapp, Holly Swaim, Ronna Benoit, Robin Styan). You can also email staffparishchair@questwired.com
Her appointment begins on Jan 1st. Pastor Linda is looking forward to a vacation (planned prior to the new appointment) with her family in early January and then moving from Dunlap, IL to the Quest parsonage in Savoy. She will be preaching her first sermon at Quest on Feb 3, 2025.
2. What part of our community will the new pastor live in?
Pastor Linda will reside in the Quest Parsonage, located in Savoy.
3. What was the process that the search team went through to find our new pastor?
The Staff-Parish Relations Committee (SPRC) and Lead Team worked together, along with input from the congregation, to describe the culture, norms, symbols and relational style of Quest. This missional lens was an important factor as the Bishop and his cabinet worked through their process of finding the right appointment for Quest. Please find detailed information of the process here.
4. What is the new pastor's family like?
Pastor Linda is the mother to 4 grown daughters, and 9 grandchildren. They are spread out, but 1 daughter and 2 grandchildren live in the C-U area and attend(ed) Judah.
5. When will I get to meet the new pastor?
The Lead Team will host a welcome gathering coinciding with Pastor Linda's start. Details to come.
6. Are there any resources to help ease the transition?
Changing Pastors? It's Going to be Okay - United Methodist Communications
7. I have more questions, who should I ask?
Reach out to anyone on the SPRC team (Kim Clapp, Holly Swaim, Ronna Benoit, Robin Styan). You can also email staffparishchair@questwired.com
A Greeting from Pastor Linda
Hello Everyone,
I'm thrilled to join Quest Church as your new pastor, Rev. Linda Vonck. I have a passion to help people develop a deeper, more meaningful relationship with Jesus Christ, to see their lives changed through a vibrant and growing relationship with Him. I'm blessed with a loving family: four grown daughters and ten grandchildren, ranging from 18 to 3 years old. Oh, how I love my family. I am truly blessed!
I hold a bachelor’s degree in Pastoral Ministry and Psychology from Greenville University and a Master of Divinity from Christian Theological Seminary. I've served five (soon to be six!) churches in the Illinois Great Rivers Conference, including Midland UMC in Kincaid, where we received the first "One Matters Award" for church growth from the UMC General Board of Discipleship.
My top strengths, according to Clifton Strengths, are strategic thinking, positivity, a love of learning, organization, achievement, and building relationships. What do these strengths look like in my life? I enjoy taking a big-picture approach to problem-solving. I'm a positive person who loves building relationships and finding the good in every situation. I'm passionate about Jesus and His people, and I'm always eager to learn and grow in faith. I'm a natural organizer, and I love putting things together in efficient ways. With these strengths, I'm committed to setting and achieving goals that build God's kingdom. I'm excited to apply these strengths to our church and community.
I can't wait to get to know you all and work together to make a difference in Champaign-Urbana. Feel free to reach out through email: pastorlinda@questwired.com or text (217-820-6676), to introduce yourself or just say “Hi!”.
May God bless our new journey together at Quest UMC!
Pastor Linda
I'm thrilled to join Quest Church as your new pastor, Rev. Linda Vonck. I have a passion to help people develop a deeper, more meaningful relationship with Jesus Christ, to see their lives changed through a vibrant and growing relationship with Him. I'm blessed with a loving family: four grown daughters and ten grandchildren, ranging from 18 to 3 years old. Oh, how I love my family. I am truly blessed!
I hold a bachelor’s degree in Pastoral Ministry and Psychology from Greenville University and a Master of Divinity from Christian Theological Seminary. I've served five (soon to be six!) churches in the Illinois Great Rivers Conference, including Midland UMC in Kincaid, where we received the first "One Matters Award" for church growth from the UMC General Board of Discipleship.
My top strengths, according to Clifton Strengths, are strategic thinking, positivity, a love of learning, organization, achievement, and building relationships. What do these strengths look like in my life? I enjoy taking a big-picture approach to problem-solving. I'm a positive person who loves building relationships and finding the good in every situation. I'm passionate about Jesus and His people, and I'm always eager to learn and grow in faith. I'm a natural organizer, and I love putting things together in efficient ways. With these strengths, I'm committed to setting and achieving goals that build God's kingdom. I'm excited to apply these strengths to our church and community.
I can't wait to get to know you all and work together to make a difference in Champaign-Urbana. Feel free to reach out through email: pastorlinda@questwired.com or text (217-820-6676), to introduce yourself or just say “Hi!”.
May God bless our new journey together at Quest UMC!
Pastor Linda