About Our Leaders

The Center Leadership

Kelly Corcoran
Executive Director

Kelly Corcoran is the proud mother of two talented young women. She is a gifted shepherd with a passion for connecting with and serving the young people of The Center. Her commitment to them is apparent as they flourish under her leadership. She has been one of the few constants in many of their lives.

Kelly has had the opportunity to serve as a teacher both in Guatemala and Thailand. She has served the local community through Joliet Cares, Pray Joliet, Wellsprings of Freedom, and the local food pantry. She has a Masters of Education in International Teaching from Framingham State College, a BA degree from Olivet Nazarene University, and is fluent in Spanish.

Mark Bogdan
Co-director

Mark is a former business owner who started volunteering at The Center and now has joined the staff as Co-Director. He is actively involved in the lives of the young people, disciples, and helps plan and execute the Thursday night program. Mark is the bridge between The Table and The Center.

Mark loves to help whoever and wherever he can. He is ordained as a local minister at The Table, his home church. He serves as a volunteer there and as the facilitator for GriefShare. Mark has traveled extensively within the United States and enjoys many outdoor activities such as fishing, hiking, and camping.

Eva Ja Baay
Board member

Eva has been volunteering at The Center for several years. She has the gift of hospitality and a passion for cooking. On Thursday nights she can be found at The Center in the kitchen. She is a wife and a mother of two beautiful young ladies.

When she is not at The Center, she enjoys traveling abroad, especially to Latin America. Some of her most memorable adventures have been mission trips to Cuba. It helps that she is bilingual!

Additionally, she has experience in the insurance industry, homeschooling, and substitute teaching. Eva also enjoys leading women’s Bible studies and getting together with family and friends.

Dan Stinnett
President

Dan grew up in Will County and has been involved in a variety of ministries for more than 25 years, locally and internationally. Dan provides guidance and direction for The Center. He is involved with the big picture direction of the Center, and is intentional with the leadership. He is a gifted educator, speaker, and pastor who enjoys gardening and building. Dan is happily married to Maria and they have 3 young children.

Paula Jarot
Secretary

Paula has a passion to see the Gospel reach the ends of the world, and many years ago, God led her to teach missionary kids overseas, which also led to teaching international kids how to read.

She served as a teacher for missionary kids in Papua New Guinea and Thailand and was also part of the start up team for Grace International School in Thailand.

Paula and her husband Paul raised their three boys in the mountains of Papua New Guinea along with a local native boy, Bizo. After moving to Thailand, they rescued two Cambodian girls, which they adopted.

Paula still takes trips to Papua New Guinea and Kenya to serve with Ramu Valley Academy and Living with Hope.

Paula serves the Center by not only attending the Thursday night programs, but also the retreats and discipleship events. She uses her years of experience to counsel the leadership with direction and wisdom.