Pastor Dan and his wife, Annette, have been married for 26 years. They have been the proud guardians of their granddaughter, Kalyn, since she was 13 years old; she is now 19.

Pastor Dan began his career at a local steel mill in 1970 after graduating from high school. Over the years, he completed a millwright apprentice program, became a journeyman millwright, worked as an overhead crane operator, and later transitioned into the Central Receiving Department as a clerk. During his time there, he served as a supervisor in both the shipping department and Central Receiving.

In 1980, he felt led to build a church in Henry, Illinois. The congregation transformed an old lumber warehouse into a beautiful house of worship, where he pastored for ten years before stepping down. That church continues to thrive today.

He retired from the steel mill in July 2001 when the plant prepared to shut down. Shortly after, he began working as a third-year plumbing apprentice. In April 2002, he passed the state board exam and obtained his plumber’s license. He worked as a plumber for seven years before retiring once again in 2008.

Following his retirement, Pastor Dan and Annette, along with his brother Gary, sister-in-law Kay, daughter Margit, son-in-law Clay, granddaughter Teresa, and Andrew Adams, felt God calling them to start a new church. They began in a storefront building, trusting God to lead the way.

In 2012, while driving through Spring Valley on the way to church in Mendota, Pastor Dan felt a burden from God for this city. Every time he traveled, he intentionally went through Spring Valley, weeping for souls and praying for the community. He and Annette began searching for a building to rent, eventually finding one on Saint Paul Street. They signed a three-year lease and, with the help of others, remodeled the space to prepare for services by February 2013. After petitioning the city for a special use permit, they were granted approval to begin ministry there.

For the next three years, Pastor Dan attempted to purchase a different building that he felt God had set aside for the church. In 2015, they were given an old restaurant building known as the “Big House.” However, when they petitioned the city for rezoning, the request was denied, and they decided to sell the property.

In November 2016, the owner of the building Pastor Dan had been pursuing finally called to say he was ready to sell. With a down payment and a ten-year contract for deed, the church secured the building. By God’s grace, the mortgage was paid off in just four years, in November 2020.

The church operates entirely through volunteer efforts; no one, including Pastor Dan, receives a salary. Instead of passing an offering plate, a box is placed at the front of the sanctuary for those who wish to give. Thanks to the generosity of the congregation and a hands-on approach to remodeling, much has been accomplished.

Today, the church family continues to grow, averaging about 75 in attendance. Annette serves faithfully as the worship leader. She sings, plays the keyboard, and schedules worship songs for every service. Her dedication and partnership are vital to the ministry, and her contributions are deeply valued.

The leadership team is excited about what God continues to do through the church and looks forward to seeing how He will move in the lives of those in the community.