August 2026

The LCMS Northern Illinois District is blessed to have a dedicated, faithful staff in place to serve the needs of congregations, schools, ministries, pastors, commissioned workers, lay leaders, and the many others members of our District. For the July and August Ministry Theme topics, we wanted to take time to introduce (or re-introduce) them to you!

We hope you find it helpful to learn a bit more about each of them.

Meet Christena Estby – Communications and Special Projects Associate

Many of the stories, emails, and website updates that help connect the Northern Illinois District are touched by the work of Christena Estby.

As the Communications and Special Projects Associate, Christena serves the District’s communications team, helping create email communications, writing stories for NIDnews.org, updating the District website, and proofreading publications and resources. A self-described “word nerd,” she enjoys using language to tell the stories of God’s work throughout congregations, schools, and ministries across northern Illinois. Working as a part-time team member, she plays an important behind-the-scenes role in helping the District communicate clearly and effectively.

Christena has served on District staff for two and a half years, but her professional journey has included a wide variety of experiences. She holds a Master of Arts degree in Speech Language Pathology and began her career working in public schools. After her husband, Cory, entered the seminary, life brought new opportunities and callings. Over the years, she has managed a self-storage facility, taught pre-kindergarten at a Lutheran school, homeschooled her children, taught piano lessons, authored books, and helped operate a family-owned business. Each chapter has contributed to the skills and perspective she brings to her current role.

Family is at the center of Christena’s life. She and her husband, Rev. Cory Estby, pastor of Zion Lutheran Church in Grant Park, celebrated 27 years of marriage this summer. They have four children: Gabriel, a full-time EMT; Kaleigh, a recent Hope College graduate who plans to pursue a career in dance and choreography; and Samuel (12) and Josiah (10). Together with their oldest son and some friends, the Estbys recently opened a Bricks & Minifigs retail store, combining entrepreneurship with a desire to create community around a shared family passion. For Samuel and Josiah, who live with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, the business provides meaningful opportunities to remain active and engaged in a community they love.

One of Christena’s favorite Bible verses is Romans 15:13. The verse serves as a reminder that hope is not something we create ourselves but a gift that comes from God through faith in Christ.

When reflecting on those who influenced her faith and service, Christena points to the congregation where she grew up, Trinity Lutheran in Indianapolis. Faithful teachers, youth leaders, pastors’ wives, and church workers modeled a life of consistent service and Christ-centered relationships. Their quiet example taught her that sharing God’s love is often accomplished through simple acts of faithfulness over time.

Although she never set out to work for the Church at large, Christena recognizes how God has used each of her vocations—wife, mother, pastor’s wife, teacher, author, business owner, and communications associate—to create opportunities for service. Through her work with the LCMS Northern Illinois District, she is grateful to use her love of words to tell stories that encourage, inform, and point others to Christ.

We are thankful for Christena’s work with the LCMS Northern Illinois District, and we pray for God’s continued blessings on her and her family.