We are Christopher & Carrie Gillespie, and along with many other great volunteers, serve as the Youth Ministry Team here at Kewanee First UMC. We were both born and raised in Kewanee, Il.  We have known each other for 25 years and were married in October 2021 here in our beautiful sanctuary!  We enjoy spending time together with family, camping and fishing, and doing just about all things outdoors.  We believe the Lord has called us into this ministry to bring His word of truth and spirit of love to the children and young adults of our community.  Our mission is to provide a safe and positive environment for the children while building young disciples for Christ.  We believe that instilling the Word of God into the heart of child at an early age plays a vital role in their spirtual developement as they grow into adulthood.  We have many great opportunities here at Kewanee First UMC for children to learn and grow to become who God has called them to be. Oh yeah, and did we mention we have a lot of fun doing it!!!   

Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.  

Matthew 19:14 Jesus said, Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.     

Donna was born and raised in Kewanee where she and her family still reside. Her beloved husband of 39 years, William Boardman is now with Jesus. Together they were blessed with a daughter Heidi, son Ty, and three grandchildren.

Donna is a graduate of Kewanee High School, Black Hawk College and was in management at Boss Manufacturing Co, Kewanee for 49 years, retiring in Oct 2020.

She has been a member of the Kewanee First United Methodist Church since she was 5 months old.  In 2005 God called her into active ministry.

After additional education and training, in 2009 Donna was approved by the IL Great Rivers Conference to be a Certified Lay Minister of the United Methodist Church, one of the first in the denomination and the state of Illinois.  She is currently serving God and His people at Kewanee First UMC, on two IGRC committees and regularly assists other churches in the surrounding area.

Donna says, 

“Since God touched my heart, I want nothing more than to live responsively to His call and purpose on my life, to share His forgiveness, love, joy, hope and peace with others.  I have a passion for the lost and those hurting.” As a Certified Lay Minister the gifts God has given me through the Holy Spirit empower me to do ministry, my mission, in His service.  He inspires and enables me to preach, teach/disciple, visit the sick and elderly, encourage and serve .. and it humbles me to do so.  Serving God and the people dear to His heart and mine is an indescribable joy. To God be the Glory!” 

Jay is a retired Ironworker who became a Lay Speaker after responding to God's call. He and his wife Annette have been married for 41 years, and enjoy spending time with their grandkids and riding their Harley.