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Meet Our Ministry Team
Senior Pastor
Pastor Jean Gomes
Pastor of Discipleship
Pastor Jean was born and raised in São Paulo, Brazil. Before coming to First Byron, he served as a minister of the Word for 10 years in the Presbyterian Church of Brazil. Jean moved to Grand Rapids to study at Calvin Theological Seminary, where he received a Ph.D. in Systematic Theology. In 2022, he accepted First Byron's call to become a Pastor of Discipleship. He lives with his wife, Gesie, and two children, Valentim and Julia. In his spare time, Jean enjoys hanging out with family and friends, reading, playing basketball, and jamming on the guitar.
Pastor Jean was born and raised in São Paulo, Brazil. Before coming to First Byron, he served as a minister of the Word for 10 years in the Presbyterian Church of Brazil. Jean moved to Grand Rapids to study at Calvin Theological Seminary, where he received a Ph.D. in Systematic Theology. In 2022, he accepted First Byron's call to become a Pastor of Discipleship. He lives with his wife, Gesie, and two children, Valentim and Julia. In his spare time, Jean enjoys hanging out with family and friends, reading, playing basketball, and jamming on the guitar.
Pastor Richard Hartwell
Pastor of Visitation
Pastor Jordan Nickell
Pastor of Worship
Pastor Jordan oversees the worship services and the music ministries of the church. He is a graduate of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, but embraced fully reformed theology in 2017 and consequently moved from Kentucky to serve First Byron. Besides serving the church, Jordan is husband of Ashley, and father of their 3 young girls, as well as a roaster of coffee.
Pastor Jordan oversees the worship services and the music ministries of the church. He is a graduate of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, but embraced fully reformed theology in 2017 and consequently moved from Kentucky to serve First Byron. Besides serving the church, Jordan is husband of Ashley, and father of their 3 young girls, as well as a roaster of coffee.
Pastor Karis Mpindi
Director of Missions & Outreach
My name is Pastor Karis Mpindi.
I'm married to Becca, and we have 4 wonderful children.
I enjoy spending time with my family, and friends, eating, playing soccer, watching movies, and TV series, preaching the Gospel, and seeing
people know Jesus and become more like him.
I serve as the Director of Missions and Outreach at our church,
the Associative Executive Director of Mission French Africa Ministries,
and I'm also a ThM student at Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary.
My name is Pastor Karis Mpindi.
I'm married to Becca, and we have 4 wonderful children.
I enjoy spending time with my family, and friends, eating, playing soccer, watching movies, and TV series, preaching the Gospel, and seeing
people know Jesus and become more like him.
I serve as the Director of Missions and Outreach at our church,
the Associative Executive Director of Mission French Africa Ministries,
and I'm also a ThM student at Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary.
Steve Elenbaas
Director of Ministries
Steve Elenbaas is married to Paula and has 5 children and 3 grandchildren. They have lived in Byron Center for the past 25 years.
He graduated from Calvin University in 1985 and started his career as a Mechanical engineer, working for 4 different companies
over 28 years. In 2013, he began working for First Byron CRC as the Director of Ministries. He mostly enjoys family time with his
kids and grandkids, but also enjoys playing golf, walks, and biking.
Steve Elenbaas is married to Paula and has 5 children and 3 grandchildren. They have lived in Byron Center for the past 25 years.
He graduated from Calvin University in 1985 and started his career as a Mechanical engineer, working for 4 different companies
over 28 years. In 2013, he began working for First Byron CRC as the Director of Ministries. He mostly enjoys family time with his
kids and grandkids, but also enjoys playing golf, walks, and biking.
Josh Cnossen
Director of Youth Discipleship
Josh Cnossen grew up in Middleville, Michigan. After attending Reformed Bible College (now Kuyper College) where Josh discovered the depth of Jesus' love for him, he has worked at various Christian camps and churches in youth ministry. He has been involved in ministry for over twenty years dedicating his life to helping others grow in their faith. He is married to his wife Susan, with whom he shares four children: Clarissa, Silas, Lydia, and Titus. Josh continues to seek ways to serve Christ and help people understand the freedom they can only have in Jesus.
Josh Cnossen grew up in Middleville, Michigan. After attending Reformed Bible College (now Kuyper College) where Josh discovered the depth of Jesus' love for him, he has worked at various Christian camps and churches in youth ministry. He has been involved in ministry for over twenty years dedicating his life to helping others grow in their faith. He is married to his wife Susan, with whom he shares four children: Clarissa, Silas, Lydia, and Titus. Josh continues to seek ways to serve Christ and help people understand the freedom they can only have in Jesus.
Riley Keegstra
Director of Children's Discipleship
My name is Riley Keegstra. I grew up in Byron Center and am a life long member of First Byron CRC. I graduated from Grand Valley State University in 2023 with a degree in Hospitality and Tourism Management. I serve on the First Byron ministry team as the Director of Children’s Ministries, overseeing all the children from infants through 5th graders. In my free time I enjoy spending time with friends and family, playing games, and working part time at a wedding venue.
My name is Riley Keegstra. I grew up in Byron Center and am a life long member of First Byron CRC. I graduated from Grand Valley State University in 2023 with a degree in Hospitality and Tourism Management. I serve on the First Byron ministry team as the Director of Children’s Ministries, overseeing all the children from infants through 5th graders. In my free time I enjoy spending time with friends and family, playing games, and working part time at a wedding venue.
Joan Buiter
Office Administrator
I am a lifelong resident of Byron Center but have only been a member of First Byron CRC since marrying my husband Ken. We have 8 children by birth and 6 more by marriage and 19 grandchildren. I have worked in the office since 2008.
I am a lifelong resident of Byron Center but have only been a member of First Byron CRC since marrying my husband Ken. We have 8 children by birth and 6 more by marriage and 19 grandchildren. I have worked in the office since 2008.
Claire Duimstra
Bookkeeper
Chris Kruithof
Kid's Hope Director
I have been the Kids Hope director since 2006. I graduated from Grand Valley State University with a degree in psychology and criminal justice. I am married to Kurt and have 3 daughters - Rachael, Nicole and Katie. In my spare time, I enjoy volunteering at a local animal shelter, reading and hanging out with my family.
I have been the Kids Hope director since 2006. I graduated from Grand Valley State University with a degree in psychology and criminal justice. I am married to Kurt and have 3 daughters - Rachael, Nicole and Katie. In my spare time, I enjoy volunteering at a local animal shelter, reading and hanging out with my family.
Brett & Deb Dykema
Facilities Manager & Operations
Brett and Deb have been married 28 years. Deb has been a member of our church since birth and Brett joined when we got married. We have 4 children by birth and 1 more by marriage. Brett is the Facility Manager for the church and oversees everything that has to do with the maintenance of the church. Deb is the Facility Operator and keeps the church clean and coordinates with the church groups and rentals to help set up for their events. Together they enjoy spending time with their family.
Brett and Deb have been married 28 years. Deb has been a member of our church since birth and Brett joined when we got married. We have 4 children by birth and 1 more by marriage. Brett is the Facility Manager for the church and oversees everything that has to do with the maintenance of the church. Deb is the Facility Operator and keeps the church clean and coordinates with the church groups and rentals to help set up for their events. Together they enjoy spending time with their family.
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