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Thursday, March 28, 2024

Former Good Shepherd Youth Minister returns to lead the church

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Above / Good Shepherd Church in Naperville welcomes new Senior Minister Tara Beth Leach. (Photo courtesy Good Shepherd Church)

Pastor Tara Beth Leach

Good Shepherd Church recently named Pastor Tara Beth Leach as its newest Senior Minister. Pastor Tara Beth Leach is the first woman to be named to the top role of leadership at Good Shepherd.

Leach formerly served on Staff at Good Shepherd as a Youth Minister from 2008-2013 and most recently as Pastor of Servant Ministry & Missional Life at Christ Church of Oakbrook. She returns to the role of senior leadership, having previously been Senior Pastor of First Church of the Nazarene of Pasadena, California.
 
She is a graduate of Olivet Nazarene University (BA) and Northern Theological Seminary (M.Div.). She is the author of Kingdom Culture, Emboldened, Radiant Church, and Forty Days on Being a Six. Outside of her local church duties, she speaks widely at conferences, retreats, and universities across America on church leadership and women in ministry.

Journey back to Good Shepherd

“When I first stood on the platform to preach my first sermon nearly 15 years ago, I never imagined that the then 25-year-old would one day lead this church,” said Pastor Tara Beth Leach. “Over the years, I have referred to Good Shepherd Church as my ‘first love.’ It is a church with a rich history of passionate worship and missional work both globally and locally. To think that I get to now partner with this beautiful flock on 1310 Shepherd Drive is a dream made reality. Only God could orchestrate such a story. I look forward to many years of living on mission together.” 

Good Shepherd’s Council President remarks

“Pastor Tara Beth is a bridge builder,” noted Froschauer. “With division in our world, she brings the love of Jesus and loving others to the forefront. Once people are around her, it won’t be hard for them to see how warm, relational, and authentic she is and the hope she holds in Jesus. We are overwhelmed with joy to be welcoming back Pastor Tara Beth to Good Shepherd as the lead pastor.” 

New pastor set to preach first sermon on March 19, 2023

Eager to begin work within the congregation and local community, Pastor Tara Beth Leach, her husband, Jeff, and two sons, Caleb and Noah, are excited to return “home” to Good Shepherd. 

Pastor Tara Beth Leach and her family. (Photo courtesy Good Shepherd Church)

Pastor Tara Beth Leach will preach her first sermon as Senior Minister on Sunday, March 19, 2023. A welcome reception will be held in between services. All are welcome to join Good Shepherd on this special Sunday. Good Shepherd is a multi-venue campus offering two styles of worship: Contemporary and Traditional. Services are held at 9AM and 10:30AM on Sundays in-person and online. 

Good Shepherd since 1979

Serving the community since 1979, Good Shepherd actively supports individuals with disabilities, families, and youth through weekly programs and events throughout the year. Locally and globally, Good Shepherd works with mission partners to help create impact through tangible ways of generosity and support. 

Good Shepherd Church is a missional, multi-generational, and family-oriented Christian church with roots in the Lutheran tradition and membership in the ELCA. Good Shepherd serves locally in the western Chicago suburbs and beyond. Visit goodshepherd-naperville.org to learn more. 

Story and photos submitted by Vanessa Ely, Communications Manager, Good Shepherd Church.

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