About Our Leaders

The Center Leadership

Kelly Corcoran
Executive Director

Kelly Corcoran currently resides in Shorewood, IL and is the proud mother of two talented young women. She is a gifted shepherd with a passion for connecting with and serving the teens 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, Joliet Alive, 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/Building & Grounds Manager

Mark is a former business owner who resides in Channahon with his wife and two children.

He currently volunteers at The Table, which is where The Center meets on Thursday nights. He’s on the First Impressions Team, he’s a facilitator for a GriefShare support group, and he also performs janitorial and maintenance tasks.

Currently a stay at home dad, Mark has traveled extensively within the United States and enjoys many outdoor activities such as scuba diving, fishing, boating, camping, hiking, fossil hunting and mushroom hunting.

Mark: “I love to help whomever, whenever and wherever I can. I see problems or issues and I assess and execute quickly to facilitate a seamless gathering such as Sunday service at The Table and Thursdays nights at The Center. I like to think I make people feel comfortable and listen very well to both problems and praise. The relationships I have built through the Center are genuine, joyful and have made me into a better version of myself. I get more than I give without a doubt.”

Eva Ja Baay
Treasurer

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 currently resides in Frankfort, IL and 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. 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 from 1986 to 2012. She was also part of the start up team for Grace International School in Thailand in 1998-1999.

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.