FUMCAH's New Lead Pastor
Bishop Dan Schwerin and the Northern Illinois Cabinet are pleased to appoint Rev. Brittany Isaac as Pastor to First United Methodist Church of Arlington Heights effective July 1, 2024. The appointment is made for the following Missional Reasons:
Strategic thinker
Strong spiritual leader and preacher
Equips and develops leaders for ministry
Good steward to continue the mission
Pastor Brittany is thrilled to join in the work of First United Methodist Church of Arlington Heights to love boldly so that a better world is possible. She resonates deeply with this mission and has enjoyed each interaction she has had with the congregation from buying (and eating) the homemade cinnamon bread in support of mission, to lively worship that includes a plethora of music and engaging children’s messages, to its longstanding witness as a Reconciling Congregation. Brittany understands FUMCAH is a thriving congregation that makes a difference in people’s lives both in the suburbs and throughout the world.
Right out of college Brittany began her career as an eighth grade Special Education teacher in Champaign Unit 4 School District. Upon completing her Mdiv at Emory University’s Candler School of Theology, and realizing the church would not ordain an “out” pastor, she chose to become a barista at Starbucks. Over the years she grew with the company until she was managing the 444. N. Michigan Ave store (now a Hoka Shoes). Inspired by many events, she quit her position and took an unpaid internship at a new church plant, Urban Village Church. This grew into the opportunity to become the planting pastor for the third site located in Andersonville/Edgewater. Most recently Pastor Brittany has been serving as the District Superintendent for the Lake North District, shepherding the ministry of approximately 70 pastors and congregations. In this role she focuses on leadership development, strategic planning, and encouraging them to try new things.
A teacher, a barista, a pastor—in every job she has had Brittany sees her work as investing in people. She believes the purpose of the church is to help people grow in likeness to Jesus, which in turn calls us out into the world to participate in the building of God’s dream. Joys in Brittany’s life include gardening, puzzles, and her 11 year old daughter, Ruby.