Sympathy Notice: Rev. Gessel Berry Jr.
Rev. Gessel Berry Jr., retired member of the Northern Illinois Conference, passed away Friday, November 24, 2023. During his ministry he served Vincent; Chicago: Gorham; Highland Park: Be…
Rev. Brittany Isaac
Bishop Sally Dyck is pleased to announce the appointment of the new Chicago Northwestern District Superintendent, the Rev. Brittany Isaac from Urban Village Church, effective July 1, 2018.
Rev. Brittany Isaac follows the Rev. Zaki L. Zaki whose next appointment will be announced later. Bishop Dyck thanks Rev. Zaki on behalf of the annual conference for his years of service on the Northern Illinois cabinet. He served the Chicago Northwestern District from 2012-present. In addition to his responsibilities as a district superintendent, he has reached out to immigrants and refugees, including Arabic-speaking communities.
“Since 2012, I have worked intentionally to support each congregation in the District encouraging them to engage missionally and effectively, locally and in the world,” said Rev. Zaki. “I have repeatedly witnessed the faithfulness and exemplary dedication of our laity and clergy alike; for this, I truly give thanks to the Lord.”
A former eighth-grade teacher, Rev. Isaac came into ministry after being a Starbucks store manager in Chicago for eight years. Following her call and seminary, Brittany built a congregation from 0 to over 200 at the Urban Village Church Andersonville site in Chicago which transitioned to Edgewater in 2017. Isaac has participated in strategic work in the annual conference being as a major contributor to the design of the new structure.
Bishop Dyck says like with her new colleague, Rev. Bross, Isaac brings a perspective of doing church differently to the cabinet table, local churches, clergy and the annual conference.
“Brittany brings a strategic outlook to ministry, often being the person in the room who asks the questions that open up a new vision and solution,” said Bishop Dyck. “She balances both progressive and evangelical understandings of our Christian faith and ministry.”
Isaac says her time at Urban Village Church has been foundational for the way she does ministry while offering her the opportunity to continually learn and grow as a person and pastor.
Rev. Zaki L. Zaki
“I am excited to work with the laity and clergy of the Chicago Northwestern District to understand our present circumstance and find creative ways to engage in the mission of the church,” said Isaac. “This district has many assets and I look forward to leveraging them so we can make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.”
Isaac is from Mahomet, Illinois and is passionate about leadership development, good coffee, homegrown vegetables and her daughter, Ruby.
Opportunities for saying “thank you” to Rev. Zaki and “welcome” to Rev. Isaac will be publicized when details are finalized.
Rev. Gessel Berry Jr., retired member of the Northern Illinois Conference, passed away Friday, November 24, 2023. During his ministry he served Vincent; Chicago: Gorham; Highland Park: Be…
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