I grew up in Pasadena, CA. I graduated from Point Loma Nazarene University in San Diego, CA and Princeton Theological Seminary. I was ordained in 1977 at the Church of the Lighted Window in La Canada, CA, and held pastoral positions at Methodist Hospital in Brooklyn, NY, Wilson Memorial Church in Watchung, NJ, and East Congregational Church in Grand Rapids before coming to Ada Congregaional in 1986. My wife Jackie, a reading specialist at Breton Elementary, and I have been married for 30 years and have three children, Jim, Caralyn, and Matt.

I'm doing my best to follow Jesus' call to "Love God and Love Others." I love my wife Lindsey and young kids Grace and Lucas. I've spent a significant part of my life hanging out with teens. I coach several sports, worked with Young Life for a decade, and have served Ada CC since 2007. I love adventure and am the proud driver of a minivan.

I received my Master of Music degrees in piano performance and pedagogy from Michigan State University. I have been soloist with the University Orchestra and received scholarships to study at the Mozarteum in Salzburg, Austria as well as the Interlochen National Music Camp. I currently teach classes to parents and their children from birth to age 9 in the VanOveren Musik Garten Studio, as well as private voice and piano lessons to students ages 5 to 86 in the Grand Rapids area. I am organist, accompanist and co-director of choirs with my husband, Ed, at Ada CC.

I did Bachelors and Masters work in choral conducting and vocal performance at Michigan State University and also have a Masters degree from Aquinas College in education. I work at Spectrum Health as a Customer Support Technician, teach music to young children in the VanOveren Music Garten Sutdio and am the choir director for Ada CC. I am an ardent Spartan fan, swimmer and devoted dog lover.

I am transplanted from Ohio - I played hand bells for 12 years at Plymouth (MI) Presbyterian Church, sang with the Grand Rapids Symphony Chorus for 9 years, performed in two operas (Aida and Turandot) with Opera of Grand Rapids, and currently sing and tour Europe with the Grand Rapids Touring Choir. I have been an active church choir member since high school. I love the ministry of music and continue to be lifted by that venue daily. I have two wonderful children and a grandchild who fill me with JOY! "God Loves Bells!"

I have been working for Ada Congregational Church since 1995. Prior to coming here, I worked as an office manager for a court reporting firm. I am married with one biological daughter, one step-daughter and one step-son, all adults. I have 3 very active grandsons from my daughter, Tracy, and her husband, Benny. I play drums and my husband, Paul, plays guitar in our Praise Team at Greenville Church of the Nazarene.

I have been married to my husband Dave for 21 years and have 3 school-aged children, Emily, Tyler, and Abigail. Before coming to Ada CC, I was a stay-at-home mom, with a banking/finance background. Our family enjoys taking vacations to the U. P. to discover the many waterfalls and other wonderful things the U.P. has to offer. In whatever spare time I can find, I like to read and scrapbook.

I was privileged to join the Ada Congregational staff in October 2010. Prior to coming here, I worked as executive assistant at a food service company for 36 years before being laid off due to the economy. Everyone has been so welcoming here, and it has been very healing to feel useful again! I live in Rockford with my husband of 24 years, Howie, manager at a local grocery store, and son Adam, 16, who is a junior at Rockford High School. I enjoy spending time with my family, reading (mainly mysteries), and walking my little Westie, Sammy.

A Massachusetts native, I now live in Ada with my husband Mike and our two sons, Anthony and Mateo. I have a doctorate in Spanish Literature, and love to teach, travel, run and read. I sang in school and church groups growing up. The joy of music has been reawakened in me since joining ACC six years ago and I haven’t stopped humming since. I especially love to work with children, who so enthusiastically share their spirit. The Cherub Choir kids are a gift from whom I continue to learn!