Meet the staff
Andrew Vanover
Lead Pastor
Andrew is responsible for stewarding and shepherding the church, mobilizing them to serve and lead in the church and community, leading the staff, working with the elders and assisting the other pastors.
Julia Sandstrom
Teaching Pastor
Julia serves as the primary preacher in worship services, designing and implementing a comprehensive system for adult spiritual formation and discipleship through small groups and other ministry models/resources.
Lynne McLaughlin
Pastor of Community Life
and NextGen Ministries
and NextGen Ministries
Lynne attends to the care needs of the congregation and community. She also oversees children’s and student ministries to develop a cohesive plan of spiritual formation.
Ben Luker
Worship Director
Ben works with the pastoral staff to plan musical elements of our Sunday gatherings and leads worship during weekly Sunday services.
Peter Ek
Minister to Students
Peter oversees ministry to high school students, helping them develop their leadership skills and setting the foundation for Christian faith that will carry them into adulthood.
Linda Winer
Director of Middle School Ministry
Linda oversees our Middle School Student Ministry, including Sunday morning classes and Wednesday evening gatherings.
Lisa Udell
Minister to Children
Lisa plans and implements all aspects of our ministry to children, from newborn through 5th grade.
Michelle Bennett
Communications Coordinator
Michelle oversees creation and strategy for all digital and print communications.
Kimberly Korpak
Pastoral Assistant
Kimberly assists the pastoral staff, helps with coordinating facility operations and performs a variety of administrative and clerical tasks.
Angel Baum
Community & NextGen Assistant
Angel supports Lynne and the children's and student ministries with the details of their weekly gatherings and special events.
Ian Gilbert
Tech Director
Ian is responsible for things
in the sound booth
(audio/visual, livestream,
volunteer scheduling, etc.).
in the sound booth
(audio/visual, livestream,
volunteer scheduling, etc.).
Holly Smith
Receptionist
Holly manages our front desk, schedules groups for facility use and performs a variety of administrative and clerical tasks.
Ron Pleune
Facility Coordinator
Ron takes care of the many details that are involved with the daily care and maintenance of our facilities and grounds.
Meet the Elders
Thornapple’s Council of Elders are elected to three-year terms from our membership and are joined by the Senior Pastor and Treasurer. They serve as the board of directors and legal trustees of Thornapple and its property; this groups of tireless individuals typically meets the third Thursday of every month (a summary of their most recent meeting can be found below).
Our Elders are here to serve. Contact them at any time if you have concerns you would like them to be aware of or ideas you would like to share. Please refer to their contact information in the church directory (available by contacting Michelle Bennett) OR leave a note for them in the mailbox in the Copy Room at church.
Our Elders are here to serve. Contact them at any time if you have concerns you would like them to be aware of or ideas you would like to share. Please refer to their contact information in the church directory (available by contacting Michelle Bennett) OR leave a note for them in the mailbox in the Copy Room at church.
financial updates | Articles of Incorporation | Bylaws (Part A and Part B)
read a summary of the most recent Council of Elders meeting
Sarah DeBaets
Chair
Patty Dekker
Laura Bartlett
Doug Dozeman
Vice-Chair
Dawn Hoiem
Doug Josephson
Brian LeCleir
Secretary
Brian Rudy
Erin Russell
Josh Schwannecke
Mickey Tresh
Treasurer
Rick Kamminga
Financial Secretary