Ryan Eikenbary-Barber serves as the senior pastor of Ravenswood Covenant Church. Ryan grew up in Seattle and moved to Chicago in 1990. Ryan met and married his wife Amy while they were students at North Park University. Together they have three children: Anja, Lukas, and Peter. Ryan earned his Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy in 1994 and his Master of Divinity in 1997 at North Park University. Ryan earned a Doctor of Ministry from Luther Seminary in 2015. Ryan has been a Covenant pastor since 1995. He has served as youth pastor at Winnetka Covenant Church; associate pastor and senior pastor at Bethlehem Covenant Church in Minneapolis; church planter and pastor of Anchor Covenant Church in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin; and senior pastor at Bethany Covenant Church in Mount Vernon, Washington. Ryan has also served interim pastorates at Arlington United Church in Arlington, Washington and Valley Covenant Church in Eugene, Oregon. Among Ryan’s favorite spots in Chicago are Wrigley Field, the Art Institute of Chicago, the Old Town School of Folk Music, and Tre Kronor. Ryan enjoys good conversation at coffee shops, reading widely and deeply, playing guitar, and finding scenic new places to walk.
ryan@ravenscov.org
773-784-7091
Gregory Sager is a graduate of North Park University. He also works for his alma mater as NPU’s sports broadcaster, doing play-by-play for nine North Park sports via online livestreaming as “the Voice of the Vikings.” He was raised in upstate New York, but has lived in Chicago since college. A long-time member of Ravenswood Evangelical Covenant Church, he has served the church in several capacities over the years, including two terms as church chair. He leads the church’s weekly Bible study and has taught Confirmation for the past ten years. His interests include writing, reading, Scriptural interpretation, theology, and exploring Chicago.
Dana Jackson is our part-time worship band coordinator, and has enjoyed being active on Ravenswood’s worship team since she moved to Chicago in 2002. She graduated in 2002 from the nursing program at Calvin College with her RN, BSN degree and minor in Recreation. She currentlyworks full time for group of seven pulmonary physicians with North Shore University Health Systems. Dana has been playing the piano since age four. She started accompanying in church at age eleven and her first wedding at age twelve. She accompanied her high school choir on the piano and when she left for college a local church hired her to accompany the choir. She eventually got involved with singing on the praise team and helping out with the worship committee. In addition to her love for playing the piano and singing, Dana also has a strong addiction to running and loves playing church softball. She also loves her most important full-time job as a wife and being mom to her three delightful and energetic kids.
Cynthia Arden joined the staff of RECC in July, 2009 as organist. She began to study piano at age 2 and 1/2, violin and organ at age 10. her Aunt Elmo Timeus was her piano and organ teacher. Cynthia learned to play organ at the Lutheran Church where she grew up in Sidney, OH. She accompanied her Jr High and HS choirs as well as a Messiah performance. Cynthia graduated 2nd in her HS class. She earned her Bachelor of Music Education degree from Butler University, magna cum laude in 1973 and Master of Music in violin performance in 1975, full scholarship. Cynthia studied violin with the famed Eddy Brown. Cynthia taught public school music for 2 yrs as a string specialist in the Indianapolis area and Lincoln NE. She transitioned to professional playing with the Lincoln, NE symphony as concertmaster for 3 yrs and with the Omaha Symphony as Principal Second Violin. She played Principal Second Violin with Houston Grand Opera and Associate Concertmaster of Symphony of the Americas while living in Ft Lauderdale, FL. Cynthia presently serves as concertmaster of the Lake County Symphony Orchestra, conducted and directed by her husband, Ron Arden. They have 2 adult sons and 1 daughter-in-law. Cynthia enjoys directing the choir (since 2016) and she maintains an active teaching studio and freelance work.
