Eldership
Current Eldership
Mike Carnahan
Family: I have been married to my wife Lisa since 1987. We have 3 adult children: Kyle - 33 moving to Denver, Colorado, Zachary - 31 lives in Ewa Beach, Hawaii and Mariah - 27 lives in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Hometown: Oakwood, Illinois
Education: I graduated from Oakwood High School then attended Monmouth College before transferring to Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville where I graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering.
Hobbies: Traveling, hiking, golfing, and watching most sports.
Favorite Sports Teams: New England Patriots, Cincinnati Reds, and Philadelphia 76ers
One fact people likely don't know about you: I am a 27-year cancer survivor.
How have you served in ministry? At my previous church, I was an adult Sunday School teacher, treasurer, and Elder for +/- 20 years before we had to close our doors. Since coming to First in 2018, I have served on the Guest Services team.
Jonathan DeNeal
Family: Married to Sarah for 18 years. We have 2 kids, our son Nathaniel(15) and our daughter Annaliese(14).
Hometown: We have lived in Tolono for almost 13 years, but I grew up in Hoopeston, IL.
Education: Associate of Arts from Lincoln Christian University in Office Management and Bible; Audio Technology Certificate from SAE Nashville (School of Audio Engineering)
Hobbies: Hiking, Mountain Biking, Playing Board/Card Games
Favorite Food: BBQ
Favorite Sports Teams: Chicago Cubs, Chicago Fire (MLS soccer), Tennessee Titans
Favorite Band: Skillet
Favorite TV Show Growing Up: Star Trek: The Next Generation
How have you served in ministry? My wife and I helped in several areas since we came to FIRST including chair stacking and setup, communion prep and leading a community group. You will find us helping the most in the creative arts ministry helping with the video directing and iMac on Sunday mornings. Prior to FIRST we served in the children’s ministry while we lived in Tennessee and I helped with a Celebrate Recovery ministry.
Jeff Dickenson
Family: I’ve been married to April since 2015. We have four sons: Sawyer, Bryce, Chance, and Max. We have a chocolate lab named Gracey.
Hometown: Donnellson, IL, but we live in Oakwood now.
Education: Associate in Biomedical Equipment Technology from the Community College of the Air Force
Hobbies: Fishing, hiking, and camping
Favorite foods: Pizza, burgers, and seafood
Serving: Student Ministry, Night to Shine, Welcome Team.
Tom Ewing
Family: I have been married to my wife Lisa for 39 years. We have three sons and two amazing daughters in law.
Hometown: I grew up in Champaign but have lived in Mahomet for 30 years.
Education: BS in secondary education from the University of Illinois
Hobbies: Woodworking and reading
Favorite Food: Grandma Fleenor’s cherry pie
Favorite Sports Teams: St. Louis Cardinals, Fighting Illini and Green Bay Packers
Favorite Band: Eagles
Favorite TV Show Growing Up: Batman
How have you served in Ministry? I have served as an adult Sunday school teacher and as an elder.
Eric Friedmann
Family: Married to Diana, two kids – Jude & Avery
Hometown: San Diego, CA
Education: Bachelors and Masters Degrees both from Johnson University (Knoxville, TN)
Hobbies: Basketball, golf, playing with the kids, woodworking, reading
Favorite Sports Teams: LA Dodgers, LA Lakers, Miami Dolphins
One fact people likely don't know about you: Surfing accident when I was 19 left me permanently blind in my right eye.
How have you served in ministry? I started as a Student Pastor in various churches for about 6 years. After, I transitioned to Campus and Executive Level leadership at FIRST for about 5 years. In 2022, I began serving our church as Lead Pastor.
Mike Larson
Family: Married to Lori Ann for 22 years (we've known each other for over 30). Our kids are William and Grace. We also have a dog named Sophie.
Hometown: Urbana, IL
Education: I went to Urbana High School, then after that gained a B.S. and M.S. in Mechanical Engineering, and an MBA from University of Illinois.
Hobbies: When I have time, I enjoy tinkering with all things mechanical, golf, snorkeling and SCUBA diving
Favorite Sports Teams: Fighting Illini
Favorite Band: Several including U2, Casting Crowns, and The Police
Favorite TV Show Growing Up: The Simpsons
Crazy fad you went through: Long hair in high school, turned into a “rat-tail” when the rest was cut short.
One fact people don’t know about you: My first job out of college was as a forensic engineering, investigating automobile and heavy truck accidents. I was a “CSI” for vehicle accidents before it was a hit show. I also have a CDL as a result of that job.
How have you served in ministry? I have attended FIRST since college over 20 years ago. In that time I have helped with Elementary Kids' Ministry (leading Sunday school class with Lori), Junior High Ministry (helping out at events), High School Ministry (serving food on Sunday nights), and properties ministry. I also had the opportunity to go on a mission trip to the Dominican Republic this last summer.
Kevin Teal
Family: Married to Yvonne since 1992. Son:Gabriel- lives in Savannah. Daughter: Carissa, Senior at SIU Carbondale.
Hometown: Dallas, Texas
Education: Princeton University: BA in Psychology, U.T. Southwestern Medical School in Dallas: M.D., Internship/Neurosurgery Residency Training: Parkland Hospital in Dallas
Hobbies: Reading, Movies, Working out in gym
Favorite Food: Ribs and collard greens
Favorite Sports Teams: Dallas Cowboys with the Triplets, Golden State Warriors before the wheels came off
Favorite Bands: Third Day, Newsboys, Salvador, U2
Favorite TV Show Growing Up: Cheers
How have you served in ministry? Currently: Chair Stacking and teaching Adult Group on Sunday mornings. Previously: Prison Ministry, Prayer Team, Men’s Ministry, Couples Ministry, Youth Ministry.
Scott Trumbull
Family: Married to Stacy since 1984. We have Ben (who is married to Sarah and has our grandchildren Max and Aliza) and Jenna (who is married to Nathan). We also have 2 cats.
Hometown: St. Joseph, IL
Education: Bachelors from Illinois State University
Hobbies: Wood working, auto repair
Favorite Sports Teams: Illini, St. Louis Cardinals
One fact people likely don't know about you: Deb Orr is my sister.
How have you served in ministry? I served as an elder at FIRST in 2015. Outside of that, I volunteer as a Kids Ministry teacher and as a Welcome Team greeter.