Ausrele Stoniene admitted that she had her dream job as the pianist at Chicago’s Joffrey Ballet. So how did the Burr Ridge resident wind up as the pastor of a 100-year-old church in Lemont? She can only attribute that to divine intervention.
“In 2013, I talked to God in my car,” Stoniene said. “He asked me, ‘Can you help me to build my kingdom?’ I started to question my lifestyle; my purpose in my life.”
Even though she didn’t want to leave the job she loved at the Joffrey, Stoniene quit, deciding that her purpose was to serve God. She just had to find a way to do that.
Stoniene and her husband had moved from their native country Lithuania to the United States with their two children in 2000. She was inspired to come here because her grandfather had lived in America at one time and spoke highly of the country. “He planted that seed,” Stoniene said.
She has lived in Burr Ridge for more than 20 years.
Stoniene had been a pianist in Lithuania, where she earned a master’s degree in piano performance. “I never even dreamed that I’d be able to play and work as a pianist here,” she said.
She began working at a ballet school when a teacher from Columbia College recruited her to work at that school accompanying dancers as they rehearsed and performed. Then, when the Joffrey Ballet opened a studio in Chicago, Stoniene competed for a position as their pianist, and got the job. She rehearsed and performed with the company.
“I was so excited,” Stoniene declared. “I was absolutely amazed how I was blessed. It was the best time of my life.”
Then she had that conversation with God.
“I left my dream job to become a servant for God,” Stoniene said.
Initially, Stoniene began praying with people. “There are so many people who really need help,” she said. “I dreamed that one day we will purchase a church.”
Then she discovered that 100-year-old building in Lemont that had been a church. In 2020, she convinced the owners to reduce the price if she promised that it would be used as a church.
The building was in very bad condition. It didn’t have water, electricity, or bathrooms. With the help of family members and friends, Stoniene spent four years restoring the church.
While she worked on restoring the building, Stoniene prepared herself for the role of pastor by earning bachelor and master degrees in ministry from King Jesus University in Miami, Florida.
Stoniene opened Glory House International on March 3, 2024.
“I am so glad that I can restore this old building and give to the American people something back,” Stoniene said. The grandmother of seven added that she wants to leave something for her grandchildren so they will understand the value of giving.
Stoniene holds services at Glory House international, 1361 State St., on Sundays at 9:30 a.m. in English and at 12:30 p.m. in Lithuanian. There are prayer meetings on Mondays at 7:30 p.m. There are also sessions for families and couples.
Myrna Petlicki is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.
