OUR STAFF
MARIO PAUL FLORES
CO-LEAD PASTOR
Hello there! I’m originally from southeast California but came to the Midwest after high school to study Ministry at MidAmerica Nazarene University.
I serve as the co-pastor of this church. On Sundays, I get to preach regularly to our incredible community of followers of Jesus. During the week I help prepare for Sunday by checking with our ministry leaders and I particularly love getting to ask people to read Scripture and/or lead our time of congregational prayer. I also help guide our team of preachers. We are immensely blessed to have multiple gifted preachers in our church and utilizing their unique voices for the sake of others. My wife and I also offer pre-engagement and pre-marital counseling.
It is remarkable to witness how much sacrificial, generous, and hospitable love is demonstrated by so many in our church. If you struggle with feeling seen or feeling heard, we have so many people who will reflect God’s character of love, compassion, and challenge.
I also serve as the senior emergency response chaplain for three local police departments, one fire department, and our local dispatch. I also just started clinical pastoral education units at one of our hospitals. Caring for people in crisis is something I feel uniquely called and equipped to do. We deeply love our city and believe our best days are still ahead of us. I’m also an above-average fan of college and professional football, Marvel, DC, Star Wars, Lord of the Rings. Hope to meet you soon!
MAKENZIE FLORES
CO-LEAD PASTOR
Hi! I grew up as a Nazarene missionary kid and consider South Africa to be my childhood home.
I have a Bachelor's degree in Ministry from Mid America Nazarene University and a Master's degree in Social Work from Aurora University.
I have been serving on staff at Community Cup since we opened in 2017. Currently, I am honored and privileged to serve this amazing church community as the co-Lead Pastor, alongside my husband, Mario Flores. In this role, you will regularly see me preaching and leading liturgy from the pulpit, as well as working behind the scenes to build connections with those that walk in our doors. I am the primary liaison for our agency partnerships and contact for building use.
I also work as a medical social worker and as a crisis counselor for the police department. My calling in life is to usher Heaven to Earth!
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I am a huge coffee fan and a wanna-be barista. I also love to paddle board with friends on the river and spend time with my family! We have 2 biological kiddos and 2 teenagers that we have the honor of loving; my family is one of my greatest joys.
I have a deep love for the Church and the City of Kankakee and feel so called to this city for such a time as this; in Kankakee as it is in Heaven!
I would love to meet you!
SUSAN MORRILL
worship arts & small groups pastor
Hi, I’m Susan! I love Jesus, people, laughter, 3-part harmonies and chai lattes. I was born in Oak Lawn, IL but have been living in the Kankakee area since 2017.
I have a Bachelor's of Arts in Music Ministry from Olivet Nazarene University (class of 2015).
I serve as Pastor of Worship Arts and Small Group Ministries. In both of these roles, my responsibilities center around creating meaningful spaces for people to encounter God.
My desire in life is to know God and make Him known. Who I know God to be is who my neighbor might need God to be! Whenever someone discovers more of who they are and who God is, I come alive.
I can't wait to meet you!
CELESTE TABOR
YOUNGEST WORSHIPERS DIRECTOR
Hey, I’m Celeste! I was born and raised in good old Kankakee. I attended Olivet Nazarene University and double majored in Youth Ministry and Children’s Ministry.
I serve on staff as the children’s director and hopefully soon to be pastor! My ultimate passion is walking alongside children and their families as they build a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ. My ministry is formed by the belief that children are not only the future of the church, but are an active and essential part of the body of Christ today.
The best part of my job is watching children experience God in their own raw and unique way. I learn from them each and every day! Another blessing of my job is getting to play a small part in the lives of the families in our community: celebrating with them, mourning with them, and everything that goes in between.
I love old homes, and currently live in the Riverview Historic District with my husband Nathan, daughter Sutton, son Sullivan, and our pup Ainslie May.
I enjoy bike rides, participating in our local MOMCO group, dance parties, and any new creative hobby I can get my hands on. I am terrified of horses, and unfortunately, don’t drink coffee! Feel free to reach out with any questions about children’s ministries at Community Cup!
ALEXANDER FREYTES CAMPOS
connections pastor | Care & Outreach
Hello! I’m Alexander, born and raised on the beautiful North coast of Puerto Rico. I moved to Illinois for college and have made this my home ever since.
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I hold a Bachelor’s in Biology from Olivet Nazarene University (ONU, ’20) and currently work in surgery at a local hospital while preparing for medical school. My path into ministry might seem unexpected, but I believe God's will is perfect. It has blended my passion for science and medicine with a deep commitment to social justice and missions, leading me to earn a Master’s in Theology (’24), also from ONU.
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As the new Connections Pastor at Community Cup, my goal is to build meaningful relationships within our community—whether with persons in our congregation, visitors, other churches, or community partners. Though I am naturally introverted, I truly enjoy getting to know new friends. My life and ministry are guided by the theological truth that every person is made in the likeness of God.
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Outside of ministry, I enjoy playing the saxophone, researching, and cooking with my darling wife, Allison. I delight in nature, from the mountains to the ocean, and I also love cataloging my book collection and a good cup of tea.
I look forward to connecting with you!