Leadership & Staff

Here at Christ Church, we have a Church Council consisting of seven members, who are voted upon. They meet monthly on the second Wednesday at 7 p.m. throughout the year. They address the needs of the church. 

The Reverend 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, a minor in psychology from the University of Texas-Pan American, and two associate degrees from South Texas College.

Rev. Gilbert was called 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.

Currently, he serves on the Church & Ministry Committee of the Chicago Metropolitan Association of the Illinois Conference of the United Church of Christ (UCC). Rev. Gilbert currently serves on the school board for School for Ministry, a partnership between the Wisconsin-Illinois Disciples of Christ (UCC sister denomination) IL Conference of the UCC and a school for lay leaders and those seeking to be local church pastors. He additionally serves on the Advocate-Aurora Health's Mission & Spiritual Care committee and Council for Health & Human Services Ministries' (CHHSM) Welcoming Diversity Group.

Rev. Gilbert previously worked as the communications consultant for The Colectivo de UCC Latinx Ministries. He also served as Chicago Metropolitan Association's (CMA) vice-moderator, which permitted him a seat on the Illinois Conference of the UCC Council. He also served as a board member and vice-chair for the UCC Mental Health Network Board of Directors and on the UCC Media Justice Ministry 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, to name a few, Gilbert has completed Mental Health First Aid and Companionship as well as a certified instructor for Companionship training.

Part of his self-care includes spending time with his family, consisting of his toddler son, teenage nieces, sister, husband, and fur babies.

Work Week: Sunday - Thursday

Office Hours: Tues. & Wed. (in office) 10 am - 3 pm or by appointment

Staff Meeting: Tuesdays 10 am - 11:30 am

Council Meeting: 2nd Wednesday of the month; Office Hours are 3 pm - 6 pm.

You can set up 15 or 30 minutes chats with Rev. Gilbert by phone, Zoom, or in person. 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. Email him by clicking here or calling the church office to set up an appointment.