Who We Are

Staff & Elders

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
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. 

Hannah Patterson

Music Coordinator
Hannah works with Pastor Julia to plan musical elements of our Sunday gatherings, coordinates the music team and leads worship during weekly Sunday services and special 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 6th 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. 

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 pastoral staff 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.

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 OR leave a note for them in their mailbox in the Copy Room at church.

financial updates | Articles of Incorporation | Bylaws (Part A and Part B)

Email the elders

Laura Bartlet

Molly DeHoog

Lori DeKruif

Doug Dozeman

Chair

Dave Harrell

Dawn Hoiem

Vice Chair

Doug Josephson

Brian LeCleir

Secretary

Brian Rudy

Josh Schwannecke

Steve Abbott

Treasurer

Rick Kamminga

Financial Secretary