Meet Our Staff

F. Scott Manke

Executive Director 

scottm@familyempower.org 

Scott is the founder, President and Executive Director of Family Empowerment Centers and its daughter organization, Donate Your Boat, SMLLC. Scott holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Organizational Management with an emphasis in Psychology from Nyack College. Scott completed his Masters degree from Wheaton Graduate School in Mission and Intercultural Studies.

Scott had been part of a team of individuals who started a church in the Bronx, New York and held the position of Youth and Families Pastor. During that time Scott also operated in the role of general manager for a small business in New York City for a period of 4 years prior to beginning FECC.

Carlos Perez

Executive Pastor and Latino Pastor

carlosp@familyempower.org

Carlos and his family joined FEC in July of 2015 to lead the Spiritual Formation within the faith community of Latino families and through the S.A.Y. YES after school program. In 2017, Carlos was invited to bring his leadership experience to an executive role within the team as a Chief Operations Officer and Executive Pastor. He is passionate of equipping others and designing opportunities that lead families into gospel-centered communities. He holds a clergy worker’s license with the Christian & Missionary Alliance (C&MA). Carlos was born and raised in New Jersey, and his most recent home was Indianapolis, Indiana. Carlos and his wife now reside in the west side of Rogers Park, and have five young children.

Carlos graduated from LeTourneau University (Texas) with a Bachelor’s of Science in Electrical Engineering Technology. He has over 10 years of experience with process improvement and project management within the life sciences pharmaceutical industry. Carlos and his family are currently self-supported missionaries within the C&MA as Envision-Associates.

Tony Silker

Associate Pastor

tonys@familyempower.org 

Tony and his wife Rachel joined the FEC team in May of 2015. Tony holds a Bachelor of Arts in Pre-Counseling and Bible from the Moody Bible Institute and a Masters in Bible from Moody Theological Seminary. He was born and raised in Youngstown, Ohio where he learned to love the family of the church. Tony is passionate about community building and loves the story and color of the Bible. Rachel is a sixth grade teacher in a local Chicago Public school. They live in Rogers Park and enjoy music and neighborhood festivals.

Tony is passionate about men’s discipleship and has a heart for the homeless men in our community.

Phil Palmer

Associate Pastor

phil@familyempower.org

Phil Palmer, a Chicago area native, moved to the Rogers Park neighborhood in January 2019, after sensing a calling to be part of what God is doing at FEC. Phil holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Church Ministries from Northland International University and a Master of Arts degree in Biblical Exegesis from Wheaton College Graduate School. Prior to joining FEC, he helped other churches and ministries to better understand the Bible and foster deeper discipleship together. In addition to using his administrative gifts at the Center, he is excited about helping the members of our community grow into mature followers of Jesus as they invest themselves into deeper connection together. As a pastor, Phil loves hearing people’s stories, helping them to find rest in Jesus, and encouraging them to pursue friendship with God.

Outside of his position at Family Empowerment Centers, Phil also works for a local family business, where he loves to meet new people and create unique solutions. In his downtime, Phil enjoys exploring the city with his beloved Kristen, laughing at the antics of sitcom characters, and unwinding with a good book and a warm pastry. Phil is a very proud Uncle, a loyal Cubs fan, and a lover of Disney music.

Dylan Adams

Children’s Ministry Leader/ S.A.Y Yes! Director

dylana@familyempower.org 

Dylan Adams, a graduate of Toccoa Falls College (TFC) with a degree in Family and Children’s Ministry. At TFC, he learned that had God gifted him with a passion to for children, especially those from broken families. This passion has become a burden for suffering children and children feeling hopeless. He fell in love with the children in Chicago while doing his college internship the summer of 2015 and as a Envision intern for a year in 2016. He is currently on staff as the Children’s Ministry Leader of our children’s programs. He directs the After School and oversees our Sunday School Ministry. In addition, he teaches and equips various Christ-centered curriculum, builds relationships with the children and their families, and disciple some teenagers who have gone through the After School Program.

Rachel Madella

Director of English as a Second Language & Digital Media

rachelm@familyempower.org 

While pursuing her Master’s in Intercultural and Urban Studies at the Moody Theological Seminary, Rachel became a part of the Church community at FEC for 2 years. She joined the FEC staff team in January 2018.

Born and raised in Hyderabad, India, Rachel graduated with a Bachelor’s and a Master’s in English Literature there. With a Post-graduate Diploma in Digital Media and Communication, Rachel worked in Television and Broadcasting as a producer with Christian Broadcasting Network in India for 7 years before moving to Chicago in 2015. Diverse cultures, ethnicities, people groups and food piqued Rachel’s interest early on. Having history as a 2nd major in her undergrad and having a heart for missions at the same time just augmented her passion for cross-cultural ministry. Rachel brings a vast experience from her ministry and leadership involvement with Youth for Christ and her Church (New Life Assembly of God) back home in Hyderabad. She’s awed to see how God would actually combine her multicultural interests, love for people, the desire for missions and discipleship and place her at FEC. 

Warren Weber

Ministry Resident

Warrenw@familyempower.org

Warren was born in Chicago, and raised in Evanston IL, he came to faith at the age of 20 while living overseas in London. Raised without faith of any kind, following Jesus marked a radical departure from his old value system and way of life. Having studied the theater, he then moved to studying theology. His passion is to see lost people brought home to the Lord, and to see believers strengthened to live more fully for Christ. He hopes to learn from the wonderful people here at Family Empowerment Centers, so that a life of ministry will be as fruitful as possible. In order to do that, he plans on loving and serving the church and local community in whatever way he can.

Anna Vetters

Ministry Resident

Annav@familyempower.org