Staff – Second Presbyterian Church

James Acquaah

Pastor

Pastor James Acquaah is originally from Ghana. He has lived in Chicago since 1989, obtaining a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Chicago State University, then receiving his Master of Business Administration (MBA) and his Master of Management (MM) degrees. He has also received certificates in Human Resource Management, International Business, and Marketing of Services from North Park University in Chicago.

He began his ministry after graduating from the Lay Pastoral Institute program by the Presbytery of Wabash Valley. He then studied at McCormick Theological Seminary. He has been pastor of the Ghanaian Presbyterian Fellowship since 2009 and was ordained and commissioned by the Presbytery of Chicago in 2012.

Michael Shawgo

Organist

Michael Shawgo is our organist and directs the Second Presbyterian Quartet Choir. Originally from central Illinois, he received his Bachelor of Music degree in organ performance from Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington. Additional organ study was with J. Marcus Ritchie at the Cathedral of St. Philip in Atlanta, and with Dexter Bailey in Chicago. He is a member of the American Guild of Organists, the Organ Historical Society, the American Theatre Organ Society, and Phi Mu Alpha fraternity.

Marco Alberto

Sexton

Marco is much in demand as the sexton, where, legend has it, he can fix or repair anything! The father of five children, Marco is an avid soccer fan as well as an accomplished soccer player. He has served since 2011 as sexton of Second Presbyterian Church.

Ashley McLean

A Chicago native and graduate of Bradley University, Ashley joins our staff bringing experience in the areas of communication and office management with a background in graphic arts. Ashley is a former runway model and the author of the book Confidence Your Secret Weapon. She enjoys creating artworks and writing.

SecondChurch1936@comcast.net

Reverend Judy Landt

Parish Associate

Reverend Judy Landt is an ordained Presbyterian minister (honorably retired.) She earned her BA and MA degrees from the University of Chicago, and a Juris Doctor degree from Illinois Institute of Technology-Chicago Kent College of Law. She received her Master of Divinity from McCormick Theological Seminary. She has served churches in Illinois, Wisconsin and Minnesota and has a special interest in mediation and conflict resolution.