Leadership Team | Naperville

Hello, my name is Ethan Wentzlaff. I am 22 years old and I've been serving as an Intern at Village for just over a year.

I've had the privilege of being raised in a Christian family, where I was taught to love the Lord and His Word. I'm the fourth-born of seven children. My siblings and I have all called Village Bible Church home. The first 18 years of my life we attended the Aurora Campus. I would say that my faith did not become my own until I was a freshman in high school. It was at the Aurora Campus that I received Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior after realizing I was a sinner in need of a Savior, and it was there I was baptized.

Throughout middle school and high school, I loved going to our church's youth group. It was the highlight of every week. Youth group was where I felt the most at home, and it was really where I was able to develop my own walk with Christ. I participated in many mission trips and numerous fall camps. Around the time I was coming home from a mission trip, Mario asked me if I had ever considered preaching. I had never thought of preaching or teaching in any way, but the thought definitely stayed with me. Since graduating, I have enjoyed learning and growing from Mario and Jeremy as they've mentored me.

I have been serving in the youth group for four years now, and I currently lead a small group of 6th-grade boys. I also run our young adult group, The Grove, at the Sugar Grove Campus on Sunday nights. (Anyone ages 18-29 is welcome). Youth Ministry is definitely where I say I have the most passion for serving because I know how important youth group was for me, and I love being able to give back to the ministry that meant so much to me. Since I have been interning at Village, God has opened the door for me to work in the student ministries, and I'm excited to see where He leads me next.