Staff

Edward Blonski, Sr.
​Pastor

Pastor Blonski was called to St. Matthew Lutheran Church in August of 2011, after serving parishes in California, Wisconsin and Michigan. He was ordained in 1995 and is a graduate of Concordia Seminary (1995) and Concordia University Wisconsin (1987). Pastor and his wife, Nancy, have three sons – Eddie, Kurt, and Mark.
 
In 2021 he was named Sole Pastor. In 2023 he became Lead Pastor, serving with Associate Pastor Ryan Ferguson.
 
Pastor Blonski preaches and leads worship regularly. He teaches Sunday Morning Adult Bible Studies, a Bible study at Saddlebrook Farms in Grayslake, and team teaches with Pastor Ferguson the Adult Discipleship/New Member Classes that are scheduled throughout the year.
 
Pastor Blonski hosts the Reflection Podcast which is on YouTube and other podcast apps.
 
Pastor Blonski has been married to Nancy for over 30 years. Nancy leads the Ladies Life Group on Thursday Evenings and is the President of the St. Matthew LWML (Lutheran Women’s Missionary League).
Pastor Ryan Ferguson
Associate Pastor

Pastor Ryan was called to St. Matthew Lutheran Church in July, 2023. He was ordained in July, 2023 after graduating from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis in May, 2023 and Concordia University, Irvine California in 2019.
 
Pastor Ryan leads worship and preaches and Men's Bible Study and Sunday Morning Bible study with Pastor Blonski. 
 
Pastor Ryan also teaches second year confirmation and is working with the Early Childhood Center.
 
Pastor Ryan is newly married to his wife Bethany. 

Brittany Johnson
Director of Youth and Family Ministry
​
Brittany was called to St. Matthew in 2024 after graduating from Concordia University Wisconsin with her Bachelor of Arts in Theology.  She began the Online Deaconess Studies Program through Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, in the Fall of 2025 and, God willing, will receive a Call as a Deaconess in the summer of 2029.

Brittany oversees the Sunday School and Youth programs, leads the Women's Bible Study, assists in the teaching of Confirmation, and serves in various other capacities at St. Matthew.

She is always up for visitors to her office for a chat and loves serving God's people every day. 

She is proud to call the Midwest home and has a strong support system in her family and friends. ​
Martha Sutton
Campus Administrator

Prior to joining St. Matthew, Martha was Director of Administration for two private foundations.  Prior to that, she worked for the Episcopal church for 18 years, serving two churches on the north shore.  Before working on the administrative side of nonprofits, Martha enjoyed a wondrous career as a pastry chef working for some incredible chefs and restaurants throughout Chicago and the suburbs.  Her passion for feeding people continues, and she often bakes for special events and co-workers.  She has a love of making gingerbread houses during the holiday season and enjoys making jewelry year-round.  In the summertime you may find her camping and enjoying the outdoors.

Martha was born and raised in Evanston and now resides in Wheeling.
Doug Duval
Cemetery Administrator
​
After 38 years of service in public education as an elementary and secondary teacher, administrator and coach, Doug joined the St. Matthew Lutheran Church and School family in 2007 as the Church and School Administrator. He recently retired from that position and is now our Cemetery Administrator.  He received his Bachelors of Science Degree from Northern Illinois University, Master’s Degree in Education Leadership and Supervision from Roosevelt University. Further studies at the University of Illinois, George Williams College and the University of Iowa. 

Doug and his wife Linda are blessed with three adult children and spend time with their four granddaughters.
Todd Johnson
Ministry Media Coordinator

Todd and his family have been members of St. Matthew since 1997.  Todd is retired from Allstate Insurance Co. after 38 years in Technology/Information Systems.  You'll often find Todd in the Media Booths located in the West Balcony or Krueger Hall running the Video Boards, Cameras, and Livestreams.  He also oversees social media and communications for St. Matthew and supports campus technology needs.

Todd and his wife Lori have been active in various church and school boards and committees over the years.  In their spare time, they enjoy the outdoors and traveling to Wisconsin and Arizona.  
Cheri Selimos
Administrative Assistant
​
Cheri and her family joined St. Matthew in 2010.  In 2011, Cheri started working in the  St. Matthew Lutheran School as the  Secretary and is now the Administrative Assistant of St. Matthew Lutheran Church.  Before Cheri was employed at St. Matthew, she stayed home to raise her children.  Cheri is active in the Sharing of Joy Ministry at St. Matthew.

Cheri and her husband Ted have been married for 30 years and have two children.
Bob Wilson
Music Ensemble Director

Bob earned a B.S. in Ed from Northern Illinois University and a M.Mus from Northwestern University.  He is a former band and orchestra director, guest conductor and clinician.   He has been principal clarinetist with the Northshore Concert Band, the Northbrook Symphony and the Park Ridge Orchestra.  After teaching he accepted a position in the music industry as VP of sales and marketing for the Getzen Company, makers of fine brass instruments, where he was director of national and international sales. There he worked with the wind players in the group "Chicago" and with the "Canadian Brass".  He also has served in the music department at St. Luke's Lutheran Church, Church of the Atonement, and St. Michael's Episcopal Church. He is still an active player and guest conductor and has a private studio of students that he teaches at home.
Michael Gagne
Director of Classic Music

Previously to serving in the Music Ministry at St. Matthew Lutheran Church and School, Michael served His Lord at Faith Lutheran in Arlington Heights, Grace Lutheran in Villa Park and prior to the historic Grace United Methodist Church in Lake Bluff for 5 years as organist/choir accompanist.

Michael joined our Ministry Staff as the Principal Organist, December 1, 2014.  Previously to this date Michael assisted in the Music Ministry by playing the organ on Saturday evenings, weddings and funerals at St. Matthew-Hawthorn Woods.  Michael did his undergraduate studies at North Park University in Chicago where he studied the organ under Mr. Leon Nelson. While at North Park, Michael was responsible for creating the annual "Hymn Festival" series in 2009 which continues to this very day. In 2003, ​Michael earned the Service Playing Certificate (SPC) from the American Guild of Organists.