Staff & Leadership

Rich Criss was called to be the Ministry Coordinator of Emmanuel Church in February of 2007. Growing up in the little town of Fulton, Illinois, Rich began singing solos in area churches when he was just three years old. He began being coached vocally by his mother who would work with him on the solos he would sing for area churches, nursing homes and wherever invitations to sing would present themselves. He then began taking piano lessons when he was in 2nd grade and continued for the next 10 years, also studying organ during that time. He became one of the organists at First Reformed Church, Fulton, in 1985, at the age of 15. He attended college at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb as a vocal music education major. Beginning in 1994, Criss spent the next 13 years as Director of Music at First United Methodist Church in DeKalb, Illinois where he had the privilege of founding the Celebration Chorale, an ecumenical choir based at First UMC that presented Christmas, Easter and Patriotic productions each year. Since coming to Emmanuel in 2007, Rich has been blessed to direct the 85-voice “Voices of Praise” which present Christmas and Spring cantatas each year.

Rich began driving school bus for Morrison students in 2012 and loves the daily interaction and outreach that occurs with “his other kiddos.” Rich teaches piano and voice lessons each week and gives of his time outside Emmanuel Church serving on the Foundation Board of Morrison Community Hospital as well as serving as volunteer accompanist for the Morrison School District’s choral program. Rich married the former Lynelle Bland on October 12, 1991. Lynelle serves as Director of Food Services for the Morrison school district and stays active at Emmanuel in the music ministry and serves as one of the cooks for the Wednesday night meal program. Rich & Lynelle are the proud parents of two daughters. Their oldest, Brittany, is married to Matt VanDrew. They are the parents of Rich and Lynelle’s pride and joy, three grandsons: Waylon, Jacob and Brayden. Rich and Lynelle’s youngest daughter, Allysa, recently graduated cum laude with her Bachelor’s Degree from Central College in Pella, IA as a certified athletic trainer and is on staff with Central’s Athletic Training department, residing in Pella. Visiting Pella is one of Rich and Lynelle’s favorite destinations.

Rich and Lynelle love to travel and have been blessed to visit many beautiful places since they were married. They look forward to seeing many more!