Office Hours: Mondays via Zoom, Tues. & Wed. (in office) 10 am - 3 pm or by appointment
You can set up 15 or 30 minutes chats with Rev. Gilbert by phone, Zoom, or in-person. (In-person appointments require face masks.) Your chat can be a time to talk about whatever you would like. It can just be a time to get better acquainted. And, of course, if you require pastoral care.
To set up an appointment, click here, or call the church office.
Rev. Jon Gilbert Martinez, Gilbert as he prefers, is a multi-generational Tejano (Texan) and Chicano (Mexican-American) who's lived in Chicago since 2015. He is a 2019 Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary graduate with a Master of Divinity. He also holds a bachelor's degree in sociology minor in psychology from the University of Texas-Pan American and two associate degrees from South Texas College.
Rev. Gilbert was called senior pastor on January 9, 2022. Before that, he served as the designated-term pastor (February 2021), concentrating on interim work; Rev. Gilbert served San Lucas UCC-Chicago as the digital outreach minister, community pastoral care minister, and pulpit supply minister.
He is the vice-moderator of the Chicago Metropolitan Association, which allows him a seat on the Illinois Conference Council, church & ministry committee, and serves on the Church & Ministry Committee. Additionally, he works as the communications consultant for The Colectivo de UCC Latinx Ministries. He serves on the Advocate-Aurora Health's Mission & Spiritual Care committee and Council for Health & Human Services Ministries' (CHHSM) Welcoming Diversity Group.
Gilbert also served as a board member and vice-chair for the UCC Mental Health Network Board of Directors. As an advocate for mental health, Black Lives Matter, immigration justice, the LGBTQ community, and an extravagant welcome to all of God's children, and food security awareness, to name a few, Gilbert has completed Mental Health First Aid and Companionship training.
Part of his self-care includes spending time with his family, consisting of his two-year-old son, teenage nieces, sister, husband, and fur babies.
Riley is a student getting his Masters's in Social Work. He loves to draw comics, take his dog Cheers to the park, and frisbee golf. Riley joined the Christ Church UCC ministry in September 2021.
Hana is a pianist and music teacher in Chicago. Her three favorite things are jazz, chocolates, and good ramen from her hometown in Japan. She began creating music in our sanctuary in 2018.
All Members, Lay Ministry
