Mike Strunga
Mike grew up in the Joliet/Plainfield area. He graduated from Lincoln Christian University and majored in general ministry with a focus on preaching. Mike started out with a part time youth ministry at Crossroads Christian Church in Joliet while he was in college. After he graduated, he moved to Catlin, IL and began a youth ministry at the Catlin Church of Christ before coming on staff at The Village helping to launch the new Coal City Campus in December 2022. Mike has loved working with students, but is now looking forward to working more with adults as the Coal City Community Pastor. He is ready to keep growing in his faith and help others do the same. Mike is excited to get to know everyone and work together to build a church community in Coal City that will move the church mission forward helping people experience life change, life growth, and life purpose. Mike and his wife, Kristen, live in Coal City with their two daughters.
Celebrate Mother’s Day
✨ Moms deserve to be celebrated. ✨
Justin Walsh
Justin’s prayer each Sunday as he leads worship at the Coal City Campus is that he would simply stay out of the way and allow the Holy Spirit to move in only ways that He can. Justin had this to say, “At 43 I find it hard to believe that the Lord has led me to this opportunity and yet, this is something that only He could do. I see myself in this Worship Leadership role encouraging others to respond to who God is, not just when we’re all together and not just in song, but through the thick and thin of our day-to-day lives.” Justin grew up in Morris, Illinois, interned (and volunteered) at First Christian Church in Morris for a couple of years before attending Cincinnati Christian University where he earned a degree in Leadership and Ministry. Justin and his wife, Julie, live in Braidwood, Illinois with their daughter and son.
Dan Eberhard
Dan grew up in Channahon, IL and now lives in Coal City with his wife, Abbi and their two kids. He is a graduate of Lincoln Christian University. Dan’s passionate about fostering an environment where students can authentically be themselves, feel connected and loved. His desire as Pulse Director for Pulse Jr. Coal City Campus is for students to know who God is, who He says they are, and to know how that impacts their lives. In addition, helping students find their way to refocus on Jesus and remember to be present in each moment of their day because it can be so easy to get distracted and lose focus. He enjoys drinking lots and lots of coffee and connecting with others, whether playing a game, a sport or over one of those many cups of coffee.
Sara Hurt
Sara leads Kid Village for infants – grade 3 and Pulse 45 at the Coal City Campus. Her experience, joy and passion for kids fit perfectly with her goal to build a fun, loving environment. Sara is excited to share her love of Jesus with the kids, build a strong faith foundation and further the mission of the church – to help people experience life change, life growth, and life purpose. Sara was born and raised in Morris, Illinois. In 2005, Sara and her husband Kevin began attending The Village, and she has been serving in kids ministry ever since. Kevin and Sara reside in Dwight where they are raising their three kids.
Amy Trucano
Amy is so grateful for the immediate community and connection her family found attending The Village Christian Church. She values the friendships developed through serving in Worship, Events, Rooted, and attending Life Groups. This fuels her desire for everyone to be connected and experience belonging, love, purpose, and fun! Amy moved to Illinois in 2005 with her husband Joe, saw the church signs on the roadside a week later, and have been attending since then! They currently live in Braidwood with their two sons.