Meet Our Team

Scott is the founder, President and Executive Director of Family Empowerment Centers.  He and his wife function as the Chicago Site Coordinator of Envision Chicago and Scott is known to wear a number of additional hats that capture his visionary and entrepreneurial heart. Scott holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Organizational Management with an emphasis in Psychology from Nyack College, as well as a Master’s degree from Wheaton Graduate School in Mission and Intercultural Studies. Scotts work experience (general manager of a delivery service in Manhattan, realtor, founder and director of a boat donation program) over the years has given him many skills that come to bear in his role as Executive Director. Scott believes in a simple theology that should operate as a rule of life and that is to love God and love one’s neighbor and put God first in everything. This has proved valuable over 20 plus years in work, life, relationships, and most importantly family as a filter for discerning life and making decisions.

In 2003, Natalie began her ministry journey with Scott and their now four adult children in the Rogers Park community of Chicago. Through the years she has had the privilege to serve this missional community through children’s and women’s ministries involvement, mentoring and crisis outreach. As of May 2023, she has taken on the role of Crisis Outreach Coordinator helping to assist new neighbors in acclimating to the community while helping create a place of hospitality and belonging in the body of Christ.

She received her Bachelor of Arts in Social Science from Nyack College and Master’s in Counseling from Concordia University. In her free time, she enjoys trips to the Botanical Gardens and spending time with family and friends.

Danielle was born in New York but raised in Chicago. She is bilingual and of Ecuadorean background. Her family has been part of Redemption Church for over 10 years. She and her husband Cesar are parents to a beautiful girl who is also a part of the After School Program. Danielle loves working with children and building relationships with families in the community. During her free time, she enjoys family outings, exercising, and reading.

Shayla graduated from Trinity International University with a double major in Business Management and Graphic Design in May of 2021. She helps with administration, design, and communications at the Family Empowerment Centers. She enjoys finding creative ways to share about the work being done at FEC through fun social media posts and newsletter designs. She loves traveling and doing DIY home projects with her husband, Chase, and expressing herself through fashion and art.

Jay grew up in the Chicagoland area and has entered into our Greenhouse initiative where he has committed 2 years to focus on his wholistic growth and preparation for possible future ministry opportunities. Jay is also one of the Food Pantry Coordinators where he has a role in the operations of the food pantry, the solicitation of food supplies, and the management of volunteers. He also is involved in the food related service of the migrant care activities of the Center. Jay is currently attending school at Liberty University and he is studying to get his bachelors in Bible. When Jay is not in the office, he is either spending time with his son, finding a pick up game of basketball or volleyball, or drinking coffee with friends.

Daniel was born in Evanston Illinois, but his family moved and settled in Omaha Nebraska where he grew up. He went to Crown College in Minnesota where he earned a B.A. in Pastoral Leadership. Shortly after graduation Daniel moved to one of the western suburbs of Chicago where he was a Youth Director at a church for four years. He felt God leading him to come to Chicago so he started the Greenhouse program to learn what it means and looks like to do ministry in an urban environment. He began working at Family Empowerment Centers in July 2023. Since then, Daniel has started working alongside Jay in overseeing the Food Pantry, helping out with Envision Teams, finished coaching his first football season at Sullivan High School, rappelled down a 27 story hotel (twice!), and got engaged to Hope Manke! 

Matt serves as Director of Student Ministries in Albany Park and formerly served as a Greenhouse Resident. He desires to see youth in Chicago encounter Christ, journey with them, and answer their questions as they grow into who they are in Christ. Apart from serving with youth, he also serves with homeless outreach, he prayer walks all over the city, and he is studying to become a chemistry teacher. Originally from Holland, MI, Chicago has been his home since he moved to Chicago in 2017 to study at Moody Bible Institute. Outside the Center, Matt enjoys to search for Bigfoot, drink kombucha, and learn about the theatrical world of Shakespeare.