Our New Senior Pastor

Rev. Derek Zeyl was elected by the congregation Sunday to serve as the new senior pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Evanston. Prior to the congregational meeting called to consider his election, Rev. Zeyl offered the sermon and helped to officiate the communion service along with Rev. Dr. Tassie Green, FPCE’s interim senior pastor.

Zeyl becomes the 13th senior pastor of First Pres. He and his wife, Sonia, will be moving from Kalamazoo, MI, where Rev. Zeyl most recently served as lead pastor of Third

Christian Reformed Church. They have three grown children, Noah, Anneke, and Phoebe, along with their family dog, Beau.

After his election—which included the approval of his terms of employment—it was announced he will begin his duties on Monday, January 5, 2026. Pastor Green also announced her last day at FPCE will be Sunday, December 28, 2025.