Living Waters Mental Health Series
Hosted by Pastor Zach Baer
Pastor Zach grew up outside of Philadelphia, PA, and later in Memphis, TN. He earned degrees in both psychology and religion at Saint Olaf College in Minnesota and then studied at the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg for his master of divinity. He has served as pastor at Living Waters Lutheran Church for almost 2 years. Pastor Zach has a passion for mental health in ministry and prays this series will be a resource for you in getting any help that you need. Pastor is hopeful for more collaboration with mental health organizations in the years to come as we serve our community's needs together.
Meet our Partners
Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital
Suzanne Martinez, Coordinator, Congregational Outreach
Suzanne is coordinator for Congregational Outreach for the Office for Mission and Spiritual Care for Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital, Condell and Sherman Hospital. Suzanne supports the area churches with Health and Wellness education seminars, for physical, mental and social well-being. In collaboration with the churches, Suzanne develops and initiates new programs and activities which strengthen partnerships between the Advocate Aurora and congregations all the while supporting health and wellness of body, mind and spirit, a “holistic” approach to caring for the whole person.
Advocate Health Care is the largest health system in Illinois and one of the largest health care providers in the Midwest. Advocate Aurora Health is redefining the standard for care with world-class doctors and caregivers, innovative solutions, outstanding outcomes, and leading-edge research and clinical trials.
Turning Point
Elissa Crowley Koroch, Outreach Coordinator
Elissa has been employed with Turning Point since November of 2019. Before working at Turning Points, Elissa worked in the childcare field since 2011 within schools, non-profits, park districts and 7 years with the YMCA. During her time at Turning Point Elissa has received her Certification as an Illinois Domestics Violence Professional. Elissa also took on the logistical challenge of the 2020 pandemic by creating a fully digital prevention education program to continue to reach the residents of McHenry County. Elissa holds a Bachelors of Fine Arts from the University of Wisconsin Superior.
McHenry County Mental Health Board
Greg Alexander, member of the McHenry County Mental Health Board
Greg Alexander has lived in Crystal Lake since June of 1998. In his career as a Ph.D. Chemical Engineer, he has also resided in Houston, Texas, Wilmington, Delaware, University City (St. Louis), Missouri, Overijse (Brussels) Belgium, and Minneapolis, Minnesota.
He was recently appointed to the McHenry County Mental Health Board. His interest in mental health was forged in the experience of both his late wife's and his father's struggles with depression and an older brother's diagnosis of autism. In addition, he had a son with a medically resistant strain of schizo-affective disorder, which ultimately proved fatal in 2017.
Dr. Alexander is a member of the Rotary Club of Crystal Lake Dawnbreakers, and has been a regular volunteer with Home of the Sparrow and Habitat for Humanity of Northern Fox Valley. After retiring from 40 years of corporate life, he hung out his shingle and began his own training and consulting company.
Dr. Alexander has been an active member of the First United Methodist Church of Crystal Lake for over 20 years, and is working to form a McHenry County cluster of the Interfaith Mental Health Coalition. He and his wife Patrice have four surviving children and ten grandchildren.
Please contact Pastor Zach if you have any questions
or comments or need assistance.
Pastor Zach may be reached at: pastorzachbaer@gmail.com
All correspondence is strictly confidential.