Meet Our Staff & Leaders
Evangelist
Jon Smith
Jonathan ‘Jon’ Smith began serving with the Philo Road church full-time in 2022. He graduated from the Southeast Institute of Biblical Studies in Knoxville, Tennessee with a Bachelor of Biblical Studies. Jon has served in youth ministry and campus ministry since 2016 in Texas, Illinois, and Mississippi. As central Illinois natives, Jon and his wife Emma have great love and appreciation for the
Philo Road church and the surrounding communities.
Office Manager
Elaine Estes
to be added at a later date
Shepherds
Elder
Carl Burkybile
to be added at a later date
Elder
Jerry Good
to be added at a later date
Elder
Jack McEntire
After a 24 year career in the US Army Nurse Corps, Jack and Nancy McEntire retired to Urbana in 1990. Nancy and I married in July 1965 in St Louis, Missouri. We have 3 children: Jason and Chris live in Edmond, OK; Cynthia lives in Rantoul, IL; Jon lives in Oklahoma City, OK. We have 2 grandchildren: Corina lives in Myrtle Beach, SC; Micah lives in Oklahoma City, OK. Nancy and I have been members of Philo Road Church of Christ since we arrived in Urbana. I have been an elder of this church for some 26 years. We are glad that we are in this community of believers.
Elder
Porter Battle
to be added at a later date
Elder
Mark Ried
Mark and his wife, Ann, have been members of Philo Road Church of Christ for 32 years. They have two daughters and four grandkids. During his time at Philo Road Mark has served as an elder, deacon, and worked with the youth. Mark and Ann live in Champaign where Mark is a roofing contractor and enjoys time with his grandkids and golfing with his buddies.
Elder
Tim Taylor
to be added at a later date
Deacons
Deacon
Tim Gateley
Tim Gateley, and wife Susanne, have been members at the Philo Road Church of Christ since 2003. Both Tim and Susanne work in the Unit Seven School District. They are the parents of Kyle Gateley and Leah Gateley.
Deacon
Kingsley Boateng
Kingsley Boateng was born in Ghana and became a member of the Lord's Church while in High School. Since then he has been active in ministry, serving in leadership roles both in Ghana and USA . He obtained his doctorate degree in Chemistry from Miami University of Oxford, Ohio and spent 7 years working at the National Institute of Health in Bethesda, MD. He relocated from MD to take up a position as a Snr. Research Scientist at the University of Illinois and has been fellowshipping with the Philo Road Church since 2014. He is married to Meldomi Asante (Boateng), a Registered Nurse at Carle Hospital with whom they have 3 children, Audrey, Kingsley (Kojo) and Elssy Boateng. Kingsley is passionate about preaching, teaching, and evangelism and is currently a WBS Instructor. He also helps to organize Men's Ministry activities and the Acts 2:45 Ministry.
Deacon
Chris Miller
to be added at a later date
Deacon
Michael Oelze
to be added at a later date
Deacon
Allen Cornett
Allen is a native of Slemp, Ky and graduated from DeVry University. Currently Allen works as an IT Manager in Champaign, IL. Allen has been married to his wife, Melinda, for 16 years. Together they have two energetic boys. Allen and Melinda have been members of the Philo Rd. Church of Christ since 2012.
Deacon
Stan Mercer
to be added at a later date