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 is always up for visitors to her office for a chat, stepping into the Youth Room for a game, or into the Historic Chapel for a time of prayer. 

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

Doug Duval
Church & School 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 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. 

In addition to being the Church and School Administrator, Doug is the Cemetery Administrator, Director of Human Resources, and the head of security for the church and school. 

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 29 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.
Jim Kuehm
Director of Contemporary Music

Jim Kuehm manages the music for the Contemporary Services and directs the Contemporary band SAVED here at St. Matthew.  He comes to us with 50 years experience in LCMS Lutheran Contemporary music.  Jim played the first "Folk Mass" church services at several Northwest Chicago LCMS Churches and led Luther North High School Chapel services in the late 60's and early 70's.  He has an Associates Degree in Classical Music Theory and Composition and in Double Bass Performance from Wright College in Chicago.  Jim has been involved and has led many different styles of professional secular music groups over the years including Rock and Roll, Jazz, Wedding Ceremony and Reception, Folk, and Popular Music. He played in Prince of Peace Praise Band from 1995 to 1999. Jim played in the Praise Band of Immanuel LCMS in Palatine from 1999 to 2002. Jim then played with St Peter LCMS in Schaumburg on Sundays from 2003 to 2005. Jim was asked to be Praise Band Director at St. Luke LCMS from 2005 to 2008 and went on to be Praise Director at Lord of Glory LCMS Grayslake from 2008 to 2011.  Jim was then Director of the Saturday Praise Team at St. Peter LCMS in Schaumburg from 2011 to 2017. Jim began directing the St Matthew Praise Team in 2014. Jim sings, composes and arranges songs, and plays acoustic guitar, electric lead guitar, and electric bass.