Our Pastors

Tim Wolfe is the founding pastor of Gather, a vibrant multicultural faith community based in Chicago. He also serves as the Bishop of the Midwest Region for The Fellowship of Affirming Ministries, an interfaith collective of radically inclusive congregations in the US, Mexico, Africa, and Asia.

To support his ministry, Tim runs a thriving marketing communication consulting practice, relying on the care and good humor of his partner of 31 years, Walter Swift, and their two crazy cats, Maxwell and Oscar. Tim holds a B.S. in psychology from Northwestern University and an M.Div. from Chicago Theological Seminary. He lives in Chicago’s Lakeview neighborhood.

Angel-A delivers an extensive package of soul-stirring, heart pounding liberated music. A native Detroiter, currently residing in Chicago, she is a musical force to be reckoned with. Heavily influenced by a family of Jazz musicians, Gospel preachers and a city bursting with legendary Motown Music and Gospel Giants, at age 6 she began singing and playing the piano in church; And by the age of 13, composing her own music.

Trailblazing a brand new world with a captivating spirit, Angel-A delivers a brave fusion of jazz with the soul-stirring inspiration of gospel to create a refreshing, life-giving space for her listener’s spirit. She has toured and shared stages with Chaka Khan, El Debarge, Oleta Adams, Pattie LaBelle, Howard Hewitt, Eric Roberson, Dr. Bobby Jones, The Clark Sisters, Vanessa Bell Armstrong, Rance Allen, The Winans and many others. Angel-A’s versatility and vocal power are a driving force in Gather’s worship life. She provides a distinction that speaks to people in truly transformative ways.

Russoul is a Chicago-based cross-genre artist who infuses elements from soul, house, techno, gospel, r&b, and electronica into his works. He has performed, and continues to perform, a variety of roles as a singer, songwriter, producer, DJ, pianist, drummer, audio engineer, and label owner.
Russoul owes his attachment to music to his family. His mother is an award-winning music instructor, leaving him little to no room for error, which enabled him to take his creativity to new levels. In 2004, he won the Chicago Idol singing competition, giving him the opportunity to have a song produced by Kanye West. Since then, he has continued to grow, showcasing his talent as he takes audiences on a spiritual journey with music. He has opened for a variety of artists, including Green Velvet, Cajmere, Stevie Wonder, Kanye West, Rhymefest, New Edition, Chaka Khan, Erika Bahdu, Slave, Cameo, El Debarge, Chico Debarge, and The Twilite Tone.

While Russoul stays busy creating new music for his label, Company Pike Unlimited Music, he is an essential element in the Gather worship mix, where he brings all of his gifts to the table.

Shea Watts is a worship leader/songwriter/minister with a Pentecostal background. He has led worship in various denominations (Pentecostal, PCUSA, UMC, SBC, AME Zion, and UCC) and is committed to writing songs that are approachable and theologically robust. Beyond the music, Shea is published in the Journal of Hip Hop Studies and the Berkeley Journal of Religion and Theology. With an MA and PhD from Chicago Theological Semimary, his theological interests focus on the relationship between ritual and embodiment, particularly within Pentecostalism.

Shea and Tim began dreaming of Gather while Shea was in Chicago for his PhD coursework. They would spend hours weekly brainstorming and praying about what it would look and feel like. Knowing the church would need an online presence, they devised a way for Shea to continue his pastoral work at Gather from a distance. As a result, Shea now serves as Gather’s theologian in residence, helping guide the community’s learning and spiritual life. Shea lives in Charlotte, NC with Kathryn, his wonderful wife, and their cats Sophie, Curly, Rosalyn, and Douglas. He’s always down for a good brew—coffee or beer—and a chat, whether about theology, music, or sports.

Latonya Standberry has served our country for over 20 years. She retired from the military in 2019 and has been a civil servant since 2005. Latonya has a background in various industries including healthcare, aviation and health policy. Since her retirement from the military, she has found her passion in serving others. She has continued to serve others while she serves on the Gather Council Board. Currently, Latonya serves as the Secretary of the Board and has been in that role since September 2022. Latonya enjoys traveling, spending time with famliy/friends and watching crime shows. She currently resides in Chicago, IL

Cameron is a writer and producer by trade who is excited to be a part of Gather’s vision for radical inclusivity. He attended Columbia College Chicago where he studied Film Production and Creative Writing. When not at work, Cameron enjoys jamming to his eclectic Spotify playlists, eating lots of Tandoori chicken, and practicing his mixology skills.
Cameron lives in the Chicago suburbs with his girlfriend, Katie,and kitten, Frankie.

Tia Scott is a native of South Carolina and has spent the last 15 years in Maryland cultivating her administrative skills in various office settings before launching her business. She has a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Maryland (Go Terps!), a Certificate in Project Management and is now pursuing her M.B.A. with a focus on Nonprofit & Association Management from the University of Maryland- Global Campus. Tia is Gather’s lifeline, making sure we continue to build a healthy and high-functioning community together!