Senior Pastor

Rev. Mikyska began his ministry in the Church by serving as a Youth Director at Gloria Dei (Downers Grove, IL) in 1999. He graduated from the Lutheran School of Theology and was ordained into the Ministry of Word and Sacrament in 2010. Pastor Jeff has previously served in ordained ministry at congregations in both Aurora and Elgin.
​
Rev. Mikyska spent his childhood in Mount Prospect, IL, attending Forest View High School and graduating from Rolling Meadows High School. He received a Bachelor of Science Degree in History​ Education from Illinois State University, with Minors in both Political Science and Psychology.

Following college, Pastor Jeff taught Social Sciences for five years at LaSalle-Peru High School. Upon moving back to the Chicago area, he began his work in youth ministry, and eventually chose to enroll in seminary. He earned his Master of Divinity Degree from the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago in May, 2010. Pastor Jeff writes a Devotional Blog called Experience the Trinity, which is available on WordPress.com. He also published a devotional book in 2013, called Breath of God: Works of the Spirit. He describes himself as a Contemplative Christian writer and preacher.

Rev. Mikyska and his wife, Gail, have two adult children. Their son James lives with his wife in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Their daughter Allison lives with her husband in Elburn. In his free time, Pastor Jeff likes to take hikes through the woods with his camera, capturing as many nature photos as he can. Pastor Jeff is also a large sports fan, especially following hockey and baseball. Amongst his favorite places to visit are Lake Geneva, Door County, and Ontario, Canada. He is quick to point out that if we look hard enough, we can see the fingerprints of God all around us!

Director of Music

I attended college at St. Olaf in Minnesota and Concordia in River Forest, IL, studying theology, music and education. My entire career has been spent serving Christ in churches in Texas and Illinois as an educator, musician, and administrator.

I have two sons living with their wives in Chicago and Milwaukee. When not working I like to hike, camp, travel and read. Travel is a passion, having spent much of the past years planning and managing international travel for university students and alumni.

​I am delighted to be back in parish ministry serving the people of Bethany Lutheran and the Batavia community.

Organist

Alan Spear has been the organist at Bethany since 2006, having previously served as organist for a number of churches, including Methodist, Baptist, Disciples of Christ, United Church of Christ, and Catholic. Alan studied organ at the New England Conservatory of Music, Christ Church Cathedral in Hartford, CT, and at Knox College in Galesburg, Illinois. With a strong interest in creative improvisation, Alan feels very fortunate to be able to play the wonderful Aeolian Skinner organ and Kawai piano at Bethany.