Our Elders

Chad was born and raised in Bloomington-Normal and has been attending Eastview since 1997. He has two wonderful children, his daughter Waverly and son Brecken and he is blessed to be the husband to an amazing wife and ministry partner, Roxy. Professionally, Chad runs 5 local businesses and is best known as the President and CEO of Cybernautic, a web design and web marketing company that he founded in 1998. In 2006, Chad founded GOYA Ministries, a mission organization whose vision is to radically transform Kenya with the love and hope of Jesus Christ. He later co-founded the Midwest Food Bank’s East African Division. Chad joined Eastview’s elder team in 2016 and served as Vice Chairman for three years before becoming the Chairman in 2024.

Like many in town, the Ghrist Family are transplants to Bloomington-Normal with the nearest family two hours away. For them, Eastview is as much a part of why they call McLean County home as their physical house. Adam and all three of his children were baptized at Eastview, and over the years their family has served in multiple different areas. Outside of Eastview, Adam is an attorney with a diverse general practice and Tracie is one of two educator coaches for 13 elementary schools in Bloomington-Normal, and together they are blessed to parent McKenna, Brooklyn, and Abram.

Travis has grown up attending Eastview with his family for over 30 years, serving in various ministries ranging from IT and photography teams to student groups and global outreach. In his day job, he works as a software engineer at State Farm. Travis met his wife Stephanie at Eastview in 2015 and since getting married in 2020, their family has served at both the Normal and Bloomington campuses in Eastview Kids and Special Needs ministries. Travis and Stephanie also serve in the community as CASAs (Court Appointed Special Advocates) for McLean County. Outside of these activities, they both love to spend their time traveling, enjoying tasty food, and trying to keep up with their adorable toddling daughter.

Austin Parker has been attending Eastview Christian Church since 2003. He is a graduate of Illinois State University with his BA in secondary history education. He attended Lincoln Christian Seminary and graduated with his Masters in Theology and Worship Studies in 2008. Austin has been serving as an elder since 2019. He currently serves as the Spiritual Life Director at Cornerstone Christian Academy, an independent Christian school in Bloomington. Austin and his wife Joan have three children: Ezra, Jordan, and Joy. Austin has enjoyed serving in many roles at ECC including the worship team and preaching in the junior high and high school services. Austin has led trips to the Holy Land, and loves adventuring in God’s creation. His passion is to see the bride of Christ shine in a broken world.

Aaron and his wife, Megan, are from Champaign, Illinois. After medical school at the University of Illinois and pediatrics residency at the Saint Louis Children’s Hospital they relocated to Normal in 2010 to join Carle BroMenn. Aaron and his family are glad to call Normal home and enjoy the wide variety of activities available in town, eating, traveling and being active. They have three girls, Avery, Amelia, and Abby, that all attend Unit 5 schools. After joining Eastview in 2010, Aaron and his family have been active with Eastview’s global partners in Haiti, El Salvador, and Kenya; participating in medical missions since 2012. Aaron also serves with the marriage ministry and Eastview Students as a small group leader.

Shortly after moving to Bloomington/Normal in 1993 to begin a career at State Farm Insurance, Eastview became a major influence in Steve's life. He met his wife Nancy and both accepted Christ during pre-marital counseling. They are now enjoying their children raising Emma, Norah, and Sam. Opportunities to serve within Eastview have been such a part of their growth - from kids ministry, to high school and adults small group leadership, marriage mentoring, and missions ministries. Steve has served as an elder at Eastview since 2013, shortly after the family returned from a two-year work assignment in Dallas.