Jim Pollard
Email: Jim@fhpcusa.org |
Senior Pastor Jim is the lead pastor and does most of the teaching, and leads a great staff. After graduating from Western Theological Seminary, Jim served churches in Lake Geneva, WI, Harbor Springs, MI. and now Forest Hills. Jim’s life verse is Philippians 4:13 which states, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”. Jim is passionate that we as a church should be Christ-centered; People-focused and Mission- driven in all we do. Jim has three children, Lauren and her family live in Wisconsin. Jon and his family live in Traverse City, and youngest Jeremy lives in Colorado with his wife. Jim, on his days off, can be found volunteering in many different missions around town or on mission trips serving those in need. When he is not volunteering, he is on the river in his kayak, and some of those days, the kayak is even upright! Jim is recently married to Barb, who works in the Kalamazoo school system. |
w. zACHARY tAYLOR
EMAIL: Zach@FHPCUSA.ORG |
Director of Worship Arts Zach is the Director of Worship Arts at FHPC. He fuses his traditional worship upbringing with modern-day styles and creative elements to design worship gatherings that are deep and meaningful. His music career started at age 13 when he became a church organist. He'd tell you, "I was pretty much bred for worship ministry." His K-8 education was in parochial schools. Even his high school was a prep school for future pastors and teachers. Zach later graduated from McNally Smith College of Music, a contemporary music college in St. Paul, MN, with degrees in Music Production and Music Business. In addition to serving churches directly, he worked for Augsburg Fortress/sparkhouse Publishers as a Worship & Music Education Specialist. He is also a video producer for multiple Christian publishers, a music producer/engineer, and a worship consultant. Zach and his partner, Anthony, love to travel, cook, sing, and spend time on both West coasts (CA and MI). |
Ashley Atkins
Email: Ashley@fhpcusa.org |
Director of Family Ministry Ashley enjoys serving as our Director of Family Ministry and has been a part of the FHPC staff since 2010. Prior to God calling her to ministry, she completed her Bachelor's degree at Grand Valley State University in English and Elementary Education. She loves serving the students and families of our church and is thankful for the incredible team of volunteers who join her in sharing God's love! Ashley is constantly in awe of the marvelous relationships that have been built over the years at FHPC and can't imagine her life without this amazing community! In the Fall of 2017 Ashley purchased her first home and she and her 17 pound lover-not-a-fighter cat, Charlie, adore living in downtown Grand Rapids! Most of Ashley's human family resides between Novi, MI & Columbus, OH. In her spare time, you can find Ashley crafting, playing a rousing game of "where are my keys?", wandering barefoot or laughing.... all the laughter of the land. |
Jace andrus
EMAIL: jace@FHPCUSA.ORG |
Office Administrator & A/V Tech Director Jace is the A/V Tech Director at FHPC. He uses his general interest in technology and his background in music and lighting to provide a deeper and more meaningful worship service. While working as a trim carpenter full time, Jace is also a wedding and special events DJ on the weekends. As much as Jace loves tech, he also loves being outdoors and fully immersing himself in nature. He enjoys taking trips to the upper peninsula, and recently began a conversion on an old school bus to be repurposed as a RV/Smart camper. Jace’s favorite part about church is community, and he loves meeting new people, so be sure to say hi and spark up a conversation when you see him! |
Jana Trees
Email: Jana@fhpcusa.org |
Financial Secretary Jana is the Financial Secretary at FHPC, where she is the point person for all things financial: giving records/deposits, payroll, accounts payable, monthly reporting, budgeting, year end, and most recently setting up a new church financial system. Jana comes to FHPC with a B.S. in Management Accounting from Illinois Wesleyan, 8 years at Haworth serving mostly as a Logistics Plant Controller, and several years in a similar financial role at the now-closed Cherry Valley Presbyterian out of Caledonia. Jana hopes to continue this year's achievement of a balanced budget every year; the important work of the church is much easier to concentrate on if finances are not a pressing issue! Jana is married to Matt and has two boys - Nate and Justin. Jana also enjoys golfing; her claim to fame was playing on an otherwise all-boy golf team in high school. She is already looking forward to next summer's FHPC golf outings |
Jannalee Nieuwenhuis
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Children's Ministry Coordinator Jannalee is excited to join our team as FHPC’s Children’s Ministry Coordinator! Jannalee is a community driven spiritual seeker who is dedicated to living an intentional life. She is passionate about creating spaces that foster creativity, curiosity, joy, and growth. She has an appreciation for the depth of human emotion and connection as well as an appreciation for good comedy and silliness. In her free time you will find her singing, hiking, crafting, cooking, or cuddling her cats. Jannalee lives in East Grand Rapids, but her favorite place to be is on the shore of Lake Michigan. If she had to share one quote that summarizes her journey she would refer to the words of Alice Walker from The Color Purple, “I think us here to wonder, myself. To wonder. To ask. And that in wondering bout the big things and asking bout the big things, you learn about the little ones, almost by accident. But you never know nothing more about the big things than you start out with. The more I wonder, the more I love.” |
EMAIL: jannalee@fhpcusa.org
Nancy Ryskamp
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Organist & Accompanist Nancy serves as the FHPC organist, pianist, and choir accompanist. Previous to this, she was Director of Music at an area church. As a registered nurse, she does home care part-time. She has been married to Dave for over years - together raising 2 sons and now also enjoy 2 grandsons. In nice weather, you will find them on their tandem bike...having ridden 59,000 miles so far together. |
ELAIne bendle
EMAIL: elaine@fhpcusa.org |
Handbell Ensemble Director Elaine grew up in Ohio where she sang in the children’s choir, high school choirs and later, in the adult choir at her home church. Elaine moved to the Southfield, Michigan area in 1973 and in 1976, moved to the Grand Rapids area. It was at John Knox Presbyterian Church where she developed the gift of ringing handbells for over 30 years. The last eight of those 30 years, she served as director of the Peace Ringers Handbell Ensemble. Elaine is an active member of another handbell ensemble in Grand Rapids, and directs the handbell ensemble at Eastminster Presbyterian Church. She brings her God-given gift of music and experience of ringing to enhance the worship experience. She has been married to Jim for over 25 years and together they have 11 grandchildren. She loves to travel, read, crochet, and make homemade greeting cards (lots of paper, stamps and ink). |
Sue Clay
email: sueclay@gmail.com |
Preschool Director Sue Clay is the Director of the Preschool. She taught in the 3’s program and has been directing for 15+ years. Her hope for the preschool ministry is to be able to open the hearts of young children to God’s love while infusing in them a passion for learning. Sue graduated from Hope College and earned a Master’s Degree in Education from Aquinas College. Sue has three children; Nick, Mitchell, and Bridgett. Sue enjoys horses, diving and she LOVES the beach. |
Sheli Langejans
email: sheli@fhpcusa.org |
Kids Hope Director Sheli Langejans is our Kids Hope USA Mentoring Director. She is responsible for selecting and training members of FHPC to mentor students referred to the program by teachers at Kettle Lake Elementary. Sheli seeks to connect loving mentors with at-risk students offering them support and a confidence boost. It is wonderful to see the difference our mentors make in the lives of these students! Sheli is married to Scott and they have three children: Katie, Brian, and Tommy. She enjoys family trips, movies, popcorn and almond M&Ms. |