board members
Professional Background
Steve is a retired pharmaceutical research chemist and patent professional. He worked for Abbott Laboratories in suburban Chicago for nearly 29 years in a variety of roles. After retiring, he spent 10 years tutoring first- and second-year college chemistry students at his local community college.
Family Life
Steve and his wife, Traci, have been married for 36 years. After living in Fishers, Indiana, for four years—where they met Mark and Emily Schuitema—they moved back to the Chicago suburbs in 2024 to be closer to their daughter and son-in-law as they started their family. They have one child, Megan, who is married to Andrew, a paramedic/firefighter. Megan and Andrew have a daughter, Hadley (1½ years old), and are expecting their second child in July 2026.
Role with Faithful Shepherds
In 2024, Steve helped Mark and Emily establish Faithful Shepherds as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit public charity. As a board member, he assists with finances, budgeting, and compensation.
Why they are involved with Faithful Shepherds
Through his relationship with Mark and Emily and their heart for the church, Steve became aware of the need for coaching, counseling, and encouragement for pastors and church leaders. Seeing how God uses their gifts to serve Christ’s church brings Steve and Traci great joy.
Favorite Bible verse, story, or passage
The story of the Prodigal Son in Gospel of Luke 15 is especially meaningful to Steve as an example of God’s grace and enduring hope. He believes that when someone seems to have strayed from God, God has not given up—and neither should we.
Interests or Hobbies
Steve and Traci enjoy attending arts and crafts fairs, especially in the summer. They have traveled throughout the Midwest seeking unique art and supporting artists. Each piece displayed in their home carries a special story and memory.
Fun Fact about Steve
Steve is also a fan of professional ice hockey. His favorite years were 2010–2015, when the Chicago Blackhawks won the Stanley Cup three times. A stamp collector since age nine, he later focused his collection on hockey-related stamps and covers—an interest that still occupies much of his free time.
Steve Crowley
Professional Background
Traci is retired and has spent most of her adult life in ministry. She served on staff with Cru, worked as a women’s ministry director at her church, and has volunteered in various capacities within the church over the years.
Role with Faithful Shepherds
Traci supports the Board and, especially, Mark and Emily through prayer, financial giving, and encouragement from the Word.
Why they are involved with Faithful Shepherds
Traci desired to be an active part of the work Mark and Emily are doing to encourage pastors and ministry leaders. She has personally benefited from watching them trust the Lord and wanted to see that work continue. She gladly welcomed the opportunity to serve and support them.
Favorite Bible verse, story, or passage
Her favorite passage is Epistle to the Hebrews 2:1: “Therefore, we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it.” She has been studying the concept of “drift” and has realized how intentional she must be about continually anchoring herself in God’s Word to keep from drifting.
Interests or Hobbies
Traci loves to read, especially books that challenge and deepen her relationship with the Lord. She also enjoys exercising and spending time at coffee shops.
Fun or Interesting Fact about Traci
She enjoys watching tennis and golf—something she attributes to growing up in Arizona.
Traci Crowely
Professional Background
Adam has worked as a mortgage banker for 24 years and is currently active in the field.
Family Life
Adam and his wife, Jann, have been married for nearly 25 years and have four children ranging in age from 21 to 14. They are grateful to have most of their extended family nearby, including both sets of parents. Their oldest son and daughter attend Taylor University, while their younger two daughters are in 10th and 8th grade. As a family, they enjoy staying active and spending time together, and they are especially thankful for the strong friendships their children share and their desire to walk with the Lord.
Role with Faithful Shepherds
Adam serves as Treasurer.
Why they are involved with Faithful Shepherds
Adam has personally seen the great need for care among those in ministry and missionaries, who often carry the burdens of others without having someone to care for and listen to them in return. He considers it a joy to be part of a ministry that seeks to fill that gap and care for those who serve in ministry. He also values that Faithful Shepherds encourages husbands and wives to serve on the board together, fostering mutual encouragement and spiritual health among its members.
Favorite Bible verse, story, or passage
dam especially appreciates the story of Abraham’s willingness to follow the Lord by taking his son Isaac up the mountain to sacrifice him in Book of Genesis 22. As a father, he relates deeply to the faith Abraham demonstrated in trusting God completely, even without understanding His purposes. The story reminds him that Abraham believed God was good and would provide. It also points to God’s own sacrifice of His Son to pay the penalty for sin, demonstrating His personal love for each of us.
Interests or Hobbies
Adam enjoys watching his children play sports—especially basketball and soccer—and coaching them, often using sports as a reflection of life lessons. He also loves traveling with his family and participating in mission trips. Some of the places they have visited include destinations in the western United States, Europe, India, the Philippines, El Salvador, and the United Arab Emirates.
Fun or Interesting Fact about Adam
Adam does not drink coffee or soda and somehow still manages to make it through each day.
Adam Snively
Professional Background
Jann holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and is a registered nurse. She had the privilege of working in a newborn intensive care unit for five years after graduation and has spent the past two decades at home raising her children.
Role with Faithful Shepherds
Jann’s primary role with Faithful Shepherds is prayer support. She is deeply encouraged by hearing how God is working in hearts through the ministry and prays that they would serve Him joyfully, with an eternal focus, using their time, talents, and resources faithfully.
Why they are involved with Faithful Shepherds
Jann was excited for the opportunity to serve alongside her husband and to be part of a ministry that clearly reflects how God has gifted and called Mark and Emily. She sees Faithful Shepherds as an extension of who they are and how God has uniquely equipped them to share His truth and the hope of the gospel.
Favorite Bible verse, story, or passage
Two verses Jann has returned to countless times to minister to her own heart and to others are Book of Isaiah 26:3 and Book of Psalms 62:8. She believes that, at some level, every issue is a spiritual issue. These verses remind her that hope is rooted in God—her steadfast Rock and Redeemer—and that trust in Him is secure when the Spirit fixes her mind on eternal truths rather than temporary circumstances. He is her refuge and perfect peace, and she finds comfort in laying every concern at His feet.
Interests or Hobbies
Jann enjoys connecting people and fostering fellowship rooted in their shared faith in Jesus. She loves watching God work in her children’s lives as they use their gifts to serve others for His glory. She also thoroughly enjoys watching her children play sports, often reminding them that sports are a microcosm of life and an opportunity to grow in humility and teachability.
Fun or Interesting Fact about Jann
Jann tends to over-prepare and often has just what is needed in any situation. She does not enjoy carbonated drinks and primarily drinks water but especially appreciates a good vanilla chai tea latte or a peach mango V8.
Jann Snively
Professional Background
Bjorn serves as a pastor and is currently active in ministry.
Family Life
Bjorn is married to Kendall, who also serves as a Faithful Shepherds board member. Together they have four children: Henrik, Evelina, Anders, and Greger.
Role with Faithful Shepherds
Bjorn serves as a board member.
Why they are involved with Faithful Shepherds
Having personally received coaching, care, and counseling from Mark long before Faithful Shepherds was established, Bjorn was excited to see the vision come to life. He is grateful to now be part of the ministry and its ongoing work.
Favorite Bible verse, story, or passage
Bjorn has several meaningful passages, but Book of Psalms 27:4 is his life verse. The desire of his heart is to dwell with the Lord and gaze upon His beauty. He longs for the day when faith becomes sight and he will behold the Lord face to face for eternity.
Interests or Hobbies
Bjorn enjoys woodworking, home improvement projects, good food and good coffee, family adventures, exploring new places, golfing, and spending time outdoors.
Fun or Interesting Fact about Bjorn
Bjorn is a fan of all the Detroit major league sports teams as well as the University of Michigan.
Bjorn Carlson
Professional Background
Kendall currently serves as the Hospitality Manager at College Park Church.
Role with Faithful Shepherds
Kendall serves as the Secretary.
Why they are involved with Faithful Shepherds
Kendall has personally benefited from the beautiful hearts and ministry gifting of Mark and Emily. Having witnessed the significant need for the care of shepherd leaders, she is excited about the ripple impact God is accomplishing through Faithful Shepherds.
Favorite Bible verse, story, or passage
One of Kendall’s favorite names of God is El Roi, “the God who sees.” This biblical encounter highlights God’s care for an exploited woman and serves as a powerful reminder that God sees all the unseen details of our lives.
Interests or Hobbies
Kendall enjoys singing, relaxing in her hammock, spending time with family and friends, laughing, and savoring meaningful conversations over good food.
Fun or Interesting Fact about Kendall
Kendall jokes that everything interesting about her happened at least 15 years ago. These days, her hobbies include clean countertops, open windows, and dreaming about not leaving the house for a week.
Kendall Carlson
Professional Background
Professionally, Matt has served as a Financial Advisor and Certified Financial Planner (CFP) for the past 33 years. Throughout his career, he has been committed to providing wise, trustworthy guidance to the individuals and families he serves.
Family Life
Matt has been faithfully married to his wife, Jill, for 33 years. Together, they have raised five children, a role he considers one of his greatest privileges and joys.
Role with Faithful Shepherds
President
Why they are involved with Faithful Shepherds
Matt and Jill are involved because they love the Schuitemas and have seen numerous real-world examples where this type of ministry is needed. They recognize a tangible need for shepherding shepherds and, as friends and board members, are honored to support them in their ministry.
Interests or Hobbies
At home, Matt and Jill live on a small hobby farm filled with orchards, fir trees, and thriving fruit and vegetable gardens. They especially love tinkering on the farm—whether improving systems, tending the land, or working on hands-on projects—finding joy in the steady, meaningful work of caring for what has been entrusted to them.
Matt Burke
Professional Background
She considers it a true blessing to have spent many years as a stay-at-home mom. Jill also homeschooled her kids on and off through junior high, demonstrating her deep commitment to their education and growth.
Before focusing primarily on her family, Jill worked professionally as a Graphic Designer and Manager for 10 years. Jill currently serves as the Direct Service Provider for her adult daughter with Down syndrome, a role she carries out with great love, dedication, and advocacy. In addition, she enjoys teaching three-year-olds at her church.
Role with Faithful Shepherds
Board Member
Why they are involved with Faithful Shepherds
Matt and Jill are involved because they love the Schuitemas and have seen numerous real-world examples where this type of ministry is needed. They recognize a tangible need for shepherding shepherds and, as friends and board members, are honored to support them in their ministry.
Favorite Bible verse, story, or passage
Psalm 15
Interests or Hobbies
Hobby Farm
Fun or Interesting Fact about Jill
We love spending time with our family!
