Paul Stroup came to be our full time pastor in July of 2018. Paul frequently speaks of what an honor he feels to serve God and how humbled he is to be His hands and feet. Paul’s education includes a B.A. in Bible Theology from Moody Bible Institute in ‘92, a hospitality/culinary degree from Triton College in ‘93, and a M. Div. from Lincoln Christian Seminary in 2006. He enjoys learning new things and is dedicated to life-long learning.
Paul is married to Kathy. Kathy has previously worked in non-profit settings. Most recently she was volunteer coordinator for an organization helping victims and survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. Currently she is studying at Buena Vista University for her master’s degree. The couple attribute the strength of their relationship to the vows they made to pray with and for each other every day. A good sense of humor and Paul’s great cooking make things even better!
The couple share three children.
Allison Tomkinson is excited to be part of the Clinton Presbyterian staff. She grew up in Central Illinois before receiving her bachelor’s degree in Bible with a missions emphasis. After college, she spent a year in Israel before moving to California. There, she worked at a private school for eight years as librarian, fundraiser coordinator, and music teacher. In 2018, she completed her graduate degree in Writing for Children and Young Adults from Vermont College of Fine Arts. Reading, traveling, and baking are some of her interests.
Allison counts herself fortunate to have grown up in a Christian home as well as the global outreach opportunities she has experienced in Panama and Germany. Some guiding verses in her life are Isaiah 55:8-9 – “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”
Kevin Long serves as the director of the Chancel Choir at Clinton Presbyterian Church. Kevin began with CPC in this position in August 2004. That same year, Kevin and his family moved to Decatur, IL from Portsmouth, Virginia when Kevin took a position with Millikin University as Artist In Residence with the School of Music and the Department of Theatre and Dance. He continues to serve in that position as well as seeking professional credits in regional theater companies and arts education settings. Kevin previously served as the accompanist for Immaculate Conception Church in Hampton, Virginia for many years before moving to the Midwest. Kevin is so happy to have found a church home at CPC.
Jeremy has been the organist at Clinton Presbyterian since October 2014. He grew up in Forsyth, IL and holds a Bachelor of Music from Millikin University and Master of Music Education from the University of Illinois. His organ teachers have included Dr. Anita Werling, Dr. Susan Klotzbach, and Christopher Young, and he studied harpsichord with William Heiles. Jeremy is interested in all aspects of the pipe organ and its music. In his spare time he enjoys stamp collecting, old movies, and listening to music. Jeremy is happy to call Clinton Presbyterian his church home and to perform on its historic Hook-Hastings pipe organ.
Lindy has been on staff at CPC for many years and has a passion for creating a clean and welcoming church building. She always has a smile and a kind word to share with everyone and her love for God is evident in every task.