Jon Panner is Christ Community Church’s new pastor

PRINCETON — When Pastor Jon Panner describes his new congregation, he is quick to speak about the loving people who worship at Christ Community Church on South Euclid Avenue in Princeton.

“One of the things I love about this church is we are a place where imperfect persons are perfectly welcome,” Panner said of the approximately 150 people who attend church every Sunday. “People in various stages of life — some dealing with brokenness — they are so loved on here and welcomed as they come to worship, for encouragement, teaching and care. They do this reflexively. That’s a pretty big important thing.”

Panner came to Christ Community Church in July, most recently serving in Pittsburgh, Pa., New Jersey and Texas. Growing up in Beaver Falls, Pa., a town he described as somewhat similar to Princeton, he attended Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, Calif. He said he’s pastored in huge churches, small churches and everything in between, believing his newest post in Princeton will be his final stop.

“That’s the plan,” Panner said. “We just bought a house, and we’re here.”

Christ Community Church is part of the Evangelical Free Church of America. On Sunday, Oct. 16, Panner will be officially installed as the pastor of the Princeton church, and Daniel Grell, the regional superintendent from the Northern Illinois Evangelical Free Church of America, will preach the sermon. A longtime friend and colleague of Panner, John Ramer of the Grace Pointe Church of Mundelein, will also participate in the service. The Sunday installation service begins at 10:30 a.m. When the time changes on Nov. 6, the church will change to a 10 a.m. Sunday service with Sunday school beginning at 9 a.m.

Panner said his general goals for the church/congregation are realistic.

“The primary aim is to make much of God, to exalt Him, to enjoy Him and worship together — to build up the church and extend God’s love in practical ways to a hurting world,” Panner said.

“I think one of our goals is to be a healthy church that is known for being very Christ-centered and involved with focusing our time together on worship, discipleship and mission. Having a healthy church community — we reflect that out to serve Princeton,” he said.

Panner said the church is also launching a new curriculum called The Gospel Project for children/students and even adults. It’s basically a three-year journey through the Bible which is age-specific for prekindergarten through adults, which allows the entire family to get an overview of the Bible with Jesus being the main theme.

Panner and his wife, Susie, have three sons, Jon (Lauren) of Wheaton, Ben (Joanna) of Wheaton and Sam, at home.

They also have one granddaughter, Piper, and another grandchild on the way.

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