Leadership

The Executive Director

Matthew González, J.D.

Matthew was born in Chicago on a cold day in February, 43 years ago, the only child of Robert and Elizabeth, a medical journalist, poet, artist, and eventual health lawyer. Through his maternal line he is descended from nine Protestant pastors and ordained theologians. His father's family is also profoundly religious. He grew up in Skokie, Illinois, where he attended wonderful public schools. In 2000 he matriculated as an undergraduate at Northwestern University, where he studied history and prepared to be certified in Illinois as a middle and high school history and social sciences teacher. He also, as an undergraduate, was involved in extensive tutoring and teaching efforts. After graduation he spent three years teaching history and political science in the Chicago public schools. He then entered the private sector, founding and running a corporation, Grether & Company, that earned revenue from several sectors. He then attended Chicago-Kent College of Law, where he earned a Juris Doctor degree in 2021. In lieu of practicing law he embraced the call to pursue ordained ministry and matriculated at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary in 2022.

More about Matthew's professional background can be found on his LinkedIn page: http://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewdgonzalez

Matthew worshipped at Central United Methodist Church in Skokie, Illinois as a child, where he had wonderful experiences, but was away from faith and in the spiritual darkness for 14 years. During June of 2008 he had an extravagant born again experience, surrendered his life to Jesus Christ, and began worshipping at an African American Pentecostal church in Evanston, Illinois. Drawn to the Eucharist, he joined Church of the Holy Comforter (Episcopal), in Kenilworth, Illinois, during 2010. During 2023 he began to have a Catholic awakening. God grabbed hold of him, and through intense prayer he decided to become Catholic. He worships most days at Queen of All Saints basilica in the Sauganash neighborhood of Chicago. He is also enamored of the eucharistic adoration chapel at St. Paul of the Cross in Park Ridge, Illinois.

Matthew has struggled with depression and anxiety, which has caused him great suffering at times. He credits medication, lifestyle choices, and, most especially, celebrating the Eucharist almost every day, for his great healing and triumph over these conditions. He is passionate about mental health awareness and advocacy, which he sees as integral to his ministry.

Matthew, who lives in the West Rogers Park/West Ridge neighborhood of Chicago, is not married but would very much like to get married. He aspires to grow this nonprofit and be ordained a deacon in full communion with the Holy See (Catholic). Upon his ordination into the diaconate he intends to consecrate his entire ministry to St. Dymphna, patron saint of those suffering from mental illness, and her queen the Blessed Mother.

The Board of Directors

Job Pangilinan, J.D.

Job was born and grew up in the Philippines. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Electronics and Communications Engineering from University of the City of Manila. He then earned a Juris Doctor from Xavier University. He then studied business at Strayer University. He is currently a Master of Divinity candidate at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, where he will graduate this spring.

Before entering ministry, Job was an electronics and communications engineer, and then practiced as a corporate and trial lawyer, advocating for environmental protection and the rights of marginalized communities, including farmers, women, and children. Now, he is a member of the Board of Trustees for the Pacific Conference of the United States Methodist Church and is set to be comissionsed as a Provisional Elder.

More about Job's professional background can be found on his LinkedIn page: https://www.linkedin.com/in/attyjobpangilinan/

Job is a lifelong Methodist. He comes from a rich heritage of faith, with grandparents who helped establish churches in the Philippines. Immersed in church leadership from a young age, he has served as a youth leader, music minister, and evangelist.

Job cares deeply about the plight of immigrants to this country and has been involved in extensive outreach to them. In terms of mental health issues, he has a personal and familial connection to mental illness, having seen friends and family members struggle with it.

Job lives with his wife in the Greater Seattle Area. He has three children and six grandchildren.

Rev. John Reese

John is a graduate of a secondary education level seminary and served a two-year mission to the downtrodden people of Nevada Las Vegas. He was previously an ordained minister and functioned as a teacher and councilor for hundreds of individuals. John served his church and community in many ways including being Scoutmaster and Assistant Scoutmaster for the Boy Scouts of America for five years.

John has served in church welfare positions, and has had many experiences with mental health care being organized for parishioners. Mental health issues have affected people John loves dearly and he has given much person-to- person support to them through their difficult days. John personally has suffered from situational mental health issues when life got extra difficult, and he empathizes with those who struggle with mental health issues.

John has enjoyed learning through every stage of his life and has gained a wide variety of knowledge and skills. First he obtained a Bachelor of Fine Arts in oil painting. He won a merit scholarship, had two artworks published in academic journals, and graduated top in his division. The only hiccup in becoming a studio artist was that he met his future wife and married while in college. A year later they had their first son. His college teachers encouraged an art career, but family life created a need for other plans. John worked small jobs and helped raise the kids. He gained a certificate in graphic design and dipped his toes into law school. Later he found a career that combined his education and skills together as an airplane and jet engine mechanic. He earned Airframe and Powerplant certificates from a trade school. He now works for United AIrlines and has taken great interest in union meetings and activities. He looks forward to joining union leadership later in life because he appreciates labor protections and the safe work environments created by strong unions.

John lives with his wife and three children in the northwest suburbs of Chicago. His family and work responsibiliites keep him busy, but he enjoys traveling with his family to new destinations whenever possible.