Sharon Engert
Sharon and her husband Doug have been married 46 years and have lived in Bolingbrook for 43 years. Their daughter Patty and her husband Rick have been married 13 years and they and their daughter Rochelle (9 years old) live in Pasadena, California. Both Patty and Rick have graduated Fuller Seminary with their Ph.Ds in Psychology and are currently with Christian, private practice, counseling agencies helping others get through the tough times of life.
Sharon was raised in Joliet and went to Northern Illinois University and Chicago Medical School, graduating in 1973 with a degree in Physical Therapy. She then went on to work at a number of hospitals and facilities in Joliet, Evergreen Park, Palos Park, and LaGrange as a Physical Therapist. She was the Director of Rehabilitation Services at LaGrange Memorial Hospital.
Sharon was raised (E)LCA Lutheran and was a Lutheran for over 30 years. She joined Friendship UMC, Bolingbrook in the 1980’s. At Friendship, she served in many leadership and servant roles including Worship Committee, Ad Board, Lay Leader, and Stephen Ministry. She was also on staff at Friendship as Director of Congregational Care.
Sharon is now in her second career and is a Licensed Local Church Pastor within the United Methodist Church. She graduated the 10 years of Local Church Pastor studies of Course of Study in 2015.
She served a short term, 9 month, interim appointment at Green Garden UMC, Manhattan. And she served at Christ UMC, Lockport for the past 11 years. She is now excited to be appointed to her home church, Crossroads of Faith UMC, Bolingbrook.
Sharon currently serves as the Northern Illinois Conference Registrar for the 75 Local Church Pastors in the Conference. She serves on Conference Board of Ordained Ministry. And she frequently serves the Emmaus Community as a Weekend Spiritual Director.
Sharon loves crisis ministry and caring for others in the stressful times of life. She has been a Bolingbrook Police Chaplain serving the police officers and community since January, 1998. She has also served as a Northern Illinois Critical Incident team member since 1998 in caring for 1st responders following crisis events. She was also a Crisis Line worker for 10 years caring for others. She was also a hospital chaplain for 3 years at Edward Hospital, Naperville.
Through all of this prior involvement and training in caring for others, Sharon feels that God has given her the spiritual gifts, has prepared her, and has called her for just such a ministry as being a pastor. And she thanks God for this blessing.
