Senior Pastor Search Information

We've recently made the decision (with Elder approval) to assign the Senior Pastor responsibilities across two positions: lead pastor and teaching pastor (click the link below to read the June 25 announcement from the committee).  
Read the June 25 Update
Lead Pastor (approved 7/18): Andrew Vanover
Teaching Pastor Candidate: TBD

MEet the Lead Pastor

Andrew Vanover,
Lead Pastor Candidate
At a special meeting on July 18, the congregation approved the calling of Andrew Vanover to the Lead Pastor position at Thornapple. We are thrilled to be moving into Thornapple's next chapter with Pastor Andrew and whoever God is preparing as our Teaching Pastor.

Do you have questions about this process or Pastor Andrew?

Watch Pastor Andrew's interview clips

Candidate Forum (July 12 Recording)
Jul 12, 2021  •  Andrew Vanover
Church Forum (July 8 Recording)
Jul 8, 2021
What is Vision?
Jul 28, 2021  •  Andrew Vanover
Vision Starts with Telling the Truth
Jul 28, 2021  •  Andrew Vanover
What is Thornapple's Way Forward?
Jul 28, 2021  •  Andrew Vanover
What should we be running from/toward as Christians?
Jul 28, 2021  •  Andrew Vanover
Spiritual Formation
Jul 28, 2021  •  Andrew Vanover
Top Personal Traits
Jul 28, 2021  •  Andrew Vanover
Interested in becoming our next teaching pastor?
We welcome the opportunity to get to you know you better and prayerfully consider if God is leading us to start this next chapter together.
Send Us an Email
  1. All interested candidates should submit a letter of interest/cover letter and filled out application (fillable PDF) to the Search Committee (spsearch@thornapple.org).
    • Covenant-ordained pastors should submit their CovConnect profile to us for consideration.
    • Non-Covenant pastors are invited to fill out this profile form (fillable PDF) which captures the same information as our denomination’s online database. Email completed form to the Search Committee.
  2. The Search Committee will be in touch with next steps.

For Your Information

Click on images below to download/view PDF files.
Lead Pastor
Job Description
Teaching Pastor
Job Description
Church &
Community Profile
Prospective Senior
Pastor Profile
Congregational
Survey Summary
Partner with Us in Prayer
  1. May we listen well to the counsel of the Holy Spirit and each other.
  2. May we discern God’s will and the will of the congregation.
  3. May the team stay focused on identifying and finding the very best candidate.
  4. May we see God clearly working through the process.
Senior Pastor Search Committee
Chair: Sue Smith
Members: Michelle Bennett (staff), Stephanie DeMeester, Todd Drenth, Susan Harrell, Kim Hoekstra, Jim Knight, Brian Peneycad, Beth Read, Jim Smith (Elder), Andrew Twining and Roy Williams