We are pleased to introduce Rev. David A. Voll as our incoming Intentional Interim Pastor at First Congregational Church, starting August 1. He is “coming home” to the Chicago area, having been born and raised in south suburban Dolton where his father was a UCC pastor. He attended UCC-related Lakeland University in Sheboygan, WI to major in music, but eventually switched to a religion major. During those years he married his wife, Janise, who was raised on the SW side of Chicago and whom he met at UCC-related Tower Hill church camp during high school.

“Pastor Dave” graduated from Lakeland in 1981, after which he began attending Chicago Theological Seminary (CTS) while also serving Zion UCC, Dyer, IN full time as Student Pastor. Following his graduation with a Masters of Divinity degree from CTS he was ordained at Zion in 1988 and went on to serve in Dyer until 1992, a total of 11 years. Other settled pastorates include Washington Reformation UCC in Monticello, WI (1992-1994); St. John’s (then UCC) in Archbold, OH (1994-2005); and St. Paul UCC in Oak Harbor, OH (2006-2019). Most recently he’s served as fulltime Intentional Interim Pastor at Trinity UCC in Tiffin, OH (25 months) and St. John’s UCC in Holgate, OH (19 months).

Pastor Dave’s ministerial standing is in the Northwest Ohio Association, for which he served as Association Moderator from 2015-2017 and in other roles within the Association. While serving Zion, Dyer, IN (which is in the IL Conference) he served on the CMA Camp Committee and the IL Conference Outdoor Ministry Committee.

As an Intentional Interim Minister, Pastor Dave will not make himself available to become our next settled pastor. He is a trained Interim Minister, a path he has chosen to follow for the remainder of his full-time ministry career. We don’t know what will be the duration of his interim time here, but he will help us continue the work of transitioning to and preparing for the future of FCC in seeking and calling our new Settled Pastor.

Pastor Dave and Janise have two adult sons and five grandchildren, all living in NW Ohio, although their granddaughter is a student at Butler University in Indianapolis. Both sons – Josh who is divorced and Zack who is married – have degrees in vocal music education but have pivoted to careers as Tech Coordinators for their respective school districts.

With God’s blessing we look forward to a fruitful mutual ministry with Rev. Voll and getting to know him and Janise during this interim period!

Your Interim Pastor Search Committee:

Dale Bryson
Lisa Mitchell
Susan McNeal-Bulak
Sara Walker