Staff
Kyle Brown - Senior Pastor
I have a very strong sense of family, and am truly blessed for the one God has given me. I was raised in a wonderful home with parents who showered my three brothers and me with love, support and a sense that we were created by God for a distinct purpose. This strong sense of family instilled within me grew into a desire to have one of my own.
My wife and I grew up in the same home town of Brighton, MI. I met Shari in typing class; I was a senior taking a blow off class and she was a smart studious sophomore. My wife is my best friend and the best road trip buddy I could have ever asked for on this journey called life. God has blessed us with three great kids; Jillian, Rachel and Jacob.
I am a bit of a sports nut, with a die hard passion for the Detroit Pistons. I love movies, going out to eat with friends and reading but most of all I love anything I am doing with my family.
Kevin Lee - Worship Leader
When did you accept Jesus Christ into your life?
When I was 19 years old wholeheartedly accepted Jesus into my life! There was nothing else for me! I had tried to find my purpose in almost everything this world had to offer.....yet I was so lost and alone inside. When I thought I had nothing else to live for I cried out to God! He heard me! Since then, accepting Jesus as my Lord and Savior, I have found a greater purpose than I could have ever imagined.
When and why did you become involved in ministry?
After I started attending a church regularly, I was invited to play the guitar for the worship team. I tried telling the guy that the music I played was a little different than theirs. I cannot tell you how grateful I am that he invited me to join them anyway!
Tell us about your family?
I married my beautiful bride Gabrielle Ann Lee on July 19th 2009! God has gifted us with two amazing daughters since.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
Spare time? What is that? We intentionally plan time to be together as a family. Thats a lot of fun! Gabrielle and I also enjoy spending quality time indoors, outdoors, and going out on our date nights. We also have hopes of taking on some dance classes in the near future!
Krew - Chris Augustat
What do you get when you mix a room full of energetic kids, gummy worms, silly string and basketballs? The answer is my life.
My journey to children’s ministry has not been typical. I graduated from Michigan State University in 1988. While MSU probably isn’t a great choice for learning theology, it was a great place to learn new and improved ways to teach children. I began teaching English at Lansing Christian Middle School. Yes, Middle School. They say you either love it or don’t and I certainly did. One night after work, I joined our church single group for a game of volleyball. Little did I know I would meet my future husband there. Tom and I married and moved to Grand Rapids in 1991. We have two children, Taylor and Marissa. I chose to stay home while the kids were young. When Marissa went to kindergarten, first I cried and then I listened to the new tug that God placed on my heart for the children of the world. Since then I have used my education and my calling to create new ways to help kids come to Christ and be Jesus to the world. It is a great privilege to learn to grow closer to Christ with parents and kids.
When I’m not at work, my family and I enjoy camping, hiking, golf and hanging out with friends.
United - Larry & Jodi Smith
Larry and Jodi are excited to be working with the youth at Berkley Hills and bring a bit of youth ministry experience with them. Larry graduated from Huntington College in 2000 with a degree in youth ministry. He worked for Youth For Christ for four years, leading their Campus Life ministry in his hometown school of Unionville-Sebewaing. Jodi graduated from Hope College in 2002 with a degree in religion/youth ministry and served as the youth director at Open Hearts Community Church in the Godfrey-Lee area for five years. They met on a blind date at a Michigan State basketball game (neither had high hopes, but were excited to see a game!) and were engaged four and a half months later. Larry works at St. Johns Home in Grand Rapids as a house manager and Jodi works part-time at Rose's Embroidery in Wyoming. They love hanging out with family, whether that be at Jodi's family cottage or on Larry's parent's alpaca farm, watching sports (especially MSU basketball), going out to eat, and doing youth stuff.
Mosaic - Kurtis Koffkey
Kurtis Koffkey
Role: Mosaic Director – young adult group
Email:
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Tell us about your family: Christine and I married on August 8, 2009 and we were blessed with a beautiful daughter, Kendall Rose, on August 21 of 2011.
What makes you laugh? Getting together with our friends for dollar burger night every week.
What makes you cry? I cry when I see young adults living out God’s call in their lives. Seeing the Spirit of God move in the people I love is amazing.
What is your favorite place on earth? Our favorite place has to be northern Michigan. It’s where Christine and I went for our honeymoon and where we spent our first anniversary.
If you were a color what would you be? I would be plaid. What if we could color with plaid markers? It would make coloring Al Borland’s shirt so much easier!
What is the best part about your role? Mentoring young adults into Christ-like lifestyles. I am blessed to be able to see young people becoming who God has called them to be.
Growth - Janine Conway
My husband, Eric, and I grew up in a small town in northern Michigan. After attending Hope College for music performance, I married and became a stay at home mother. During this time, I was given the freedom to work with school programs, the church youth group, and direct many productions over the years. I help run a mentor program in the Northview School District, and also volunteer with Northview Campus Life.
While I have only two biological children, the pictures on my fridge are many. God has given me a passion for youth and the gift of cooking. These two go well hand in hand. After many years of life, I have finally perfected the chocolate chip cookie. I have not endeavored upon this task alone, but with the help of many taste testers along the way. When I am not cooking for the masses, I love to garden, bike, and golf (although I usually lose to my husband and daughter).
Oasis - Josh Jacobson
Treasurer - Barb Knauf
Barb is married to husband Joe and has one son, Albert Annibali. She has three grandchildren, (Alexis, Adrian and Annalise) that she takes on camping trips and to church. She is retired from public education as a Finance Director and teaches 1-3 grade girls discipleship class at church. Besides working in the church office as a bookkeeper, she is the Treasurer. She also works during tax season for a small bookkeeping and tax firm in Lowell where she lives. Barb loves reading, traveling in her RV, her dogs, and works at gardening and bird watching.
Custodian - Mel Bajema
I was born in High Wycombe, England many, many years ago. My dad and war bride mom settled in Grand Rapids. I attended West Side Christian School and Union High and served my country in the United States Air Force for four years. I met my wife, Evelyn, on a blind date and we have been married for 41 years. We have three children, two boys and one girl. We have been blessed with 7 grandchildren ranging in age from 17 years old to 6 months. I worked for the US Postal Service for 32 years as a letter carrier and now spend some of my retirement days cleaning the church. When I am not at church I spend time at Aberdeen Public schools 3 times a week tutoring 1st graders in reading. One day a week I volunteer at the Grand Rapids Public Museum in the old Herpolsheimer's store. Some summer nights you can find me umpiring slow pitch soft ball. After taking care of my lawn and garden I try to get in some golfing and fishing.
Office Manager - Elise Smith
I was born and raised in the Netherland and moved to the USA in 1991 when I married Fred. We have three sons; John (senior at Rockford HS), Ray (sophmore at Rockford HS) and Ken (freshman at Rockford HS). We enjoy skiing, golfing, camping, playing tennis, walking our two golden retrievers and biking together. I love being home with my boys and attending their after school activities. When Fred and I can sneak out we like going out for dinner and a movie. At church I am responsible for keeping the office running in an orderly fashion and helping out with the administrative aspect of the different ministries.