Our Staff
BRIAN KEEPERS, MINISTER OF PREACHING AND CONGREGATIONAL LEADERSHIPbkeepers@fellowshipreformed.org (616) 399-9280 ext. 12
Brian grew up in northwest Iowa and received his B.A. in Humanities from Northwestern College in Orange City, IA. He received his Masters of Divinity from Western Theological Seminary in Holland, MI. Prior to coming to Fellowship Reformed Church in 2005, Brian spent four years serving as the pastor of Bethel Reformed Church in Sheldon, IA. He is married to Tammy and they have two daughters, Emma and Abby. Brian is currently working on a Doctorate of Ministry on the subject of preaching and the missional imaginiation from Western Seminary. His primary responsibilities on the staff include facilitatating a vision for what it means for Fellowship to be both a Reformed and missional church, encouraging the staff and lay leadership, preaching and equipping the body of Christ for ministry and mission in God's world. Among his favorite things are books, art, theology, listening to good jazz, spending time with people and eating fresh sushi.
MEGAN HODGIN, MINISTER OF DISCIPLESHIP AND MISSIONmhodgin@fellowshipreformed.org (616) 399-9280 ext. 14
My heart beats for the truths and mysteries revealed in Sciptures, the glimpses of God's Kingdom present even in our broken world, and opportunities to walk alongside God's people in some of their most precious moments. With an undergraduate degree in Theatre and a Masters in Divinity, I feel blessed to have united my two strongest passions in life - story and faith. In the waters of baptism we are named as Children of God, our faith is affirmed and we are invited to participate in God's story as it unfolds all around us. This is the journey of discipleship and the richest gift we will ever receive. As Dietrich Bonhoeffer reminds us, "Discipleship means joy," and I find it a tremendous joy to minister with God's people at Fellowship in the mountains and valleys of this journey. Because discipleship is a lifestyle, I imagine with others how we might look more like Jesus as we spend time together, break bread, praise and serve together (from Acts 2:46-47).
MARIJKE STRONG, MINISTER OF CONGREGATIONAL CARE AND COMMUNITY LIFE
mstrong@fellowshipreformed.org (616)399-9280 ext. 17
I came to Holland from Canada, where I studied Theology, Theater and English, was a camp program director and lived in an intentional community. One of my life-themes is the Hebrew word, shalom, which has to do with “wholeness, unity, balance... gathering in (but much broader than) peace, it means a harmonious, caring community with God at its center as the prime sustainer and most glorious inhabitant” (Richard Foster). I believe this is the vision that calls God’s church to be a wild and sweet foretaste of the coming kingdom. Some of the ways I hope to live into this vision at Fellowship are in the areas of reciprocal pastoral care and asset-based community building. I'm excited for us to dream together about how to be Jesus-followers: conduits of God’s love, instruments of peace, caregivers for all people, nurturers of creation, fighters for justice, ambassadors of reconciliation, advocates for inclusion, voices of diversity, experimenters in artistry, encouragers of playfulness and revelers in joy! I love reading, hiking, camping, kayaking, art, writing, making music with friends, experimental cooking, communal events, talking about books and ideas, growing things in the garden, and playing with kids.
JIM BAAR, PASTOR EMERITUSjbaar@fellowshipreformed.org (616) 399-9280 ext. 19
I came to Fellowship Church in 1981 as Minister of Youth and Education. Since then, I have "morphed" into the Minister of Congregational Life and Mission. I work with the Care Leadership Council addressing pastoral care and church life needs and issues. For the past ten years, I have also lent leadership to the mission efforts of the church. I attended Central College in Iowa and Western Seminary. I am married to Sue who is a reading specialist with West Ottawa Schools. We have three grown children, Kent, Drew and Tori. In my free time I enjoy golfing, fishing, reading and caring for my yard.
BETSY BRUINS, INTERIM MINISTER OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES
bbruins@fellowshipreformed.org (616)399-9280 ext. 18
After being involved in Children's Ministries in many different ways, Betsy was hired in August of 2012. She has been attending Fellowship since 1987, since she earned her teaching degree at Hope College. Betsy is married to Bob Bruins and has three girls. She received her Master's in teaching and taught in the West Ottawa School System for ten years before taking eleven years off to be an at-home mom with her girls. Betsy has been involved with VBS at Fellowship for many years, and also became the children's choir director five years ago. One of her passions is helping children learn to become faithful followers of Jesus. She also enjoys camping, going on walks, reading, and watching her girls in soccer and theater activities.
GAYLE BORGMAN, MINISTER OF ADMINISTRATIONgborgman@fellowshipreformed.org (616) 399-9280 ext. 11
Mostly serving "behind the scenes," Gayle has been on staff at Fellowship for 24 years, the last 20 years as Minister of Administration, managing the various details of an active church. After working in law firms and attending Davenport College, she discovered she enjoys administration and accounting over law. "I feel blessed to serve at Fellowship Church and to be part of such a great team!" In her spare time, she enjoys outdoor activities like biking, boating and swimming and watching college football and basketball (go MSU!) in the fall and winter. Gayle is married to Randy and they have three children and five grandchildren. Being able to watch grandchildren in their sporting events is also a lot of fun. A favorite Bible verse is John 14:1-2.
JORDAN CLEGG, MINISTER OF CREATIVE ARTS AND WORSHIPjclegg@fellowshipreformed.org (616) 399-9280 ext. 15
Jordan has been serving as Minister of Creative Arts and Worship at Fellowship since 2007. In 2008, he graduated from Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan with a B.A. in Music in Worship. While at Calvin, Jordan served as a Worship Apprentice, studied voice, and was a member of one of the school's elite choirs, Capella. Jordan grew up in Wyoming, Michigan where he met His wife, Anne, whom he married in July of 2007. His parents, Rev. Will and Joni Clegg also reside in Wyoming along with his younger brother, Justin. Jordan is currently pursuing a Masters in Worship Studies from the Robert E. Webber Institute for Worship Studies in Orange Park, Florida. Aside from work and school, Jordan enjoys movies, science-fiction and historical novels, and singing lead for a local cover band.
KATLYN DEVRIES, OFFICE MANAGERkdevries@fellowshipreformed.org (616)399-9280 ext. 24
Katlyn joined Fellowship’s staff as the Office Manager in October 2011. She and her husband, Steven moved to Holland in August 2011 when Steven started his seminary education at Western Theological Seminary. Katlyn is a Northwestern College graduate in Communications who has a heart for working with Christian nonprofits. In her spare time she loves to read, knit, and listen to jazz.
KAREN DONKER, KIDS HOPE USA AND HAND2HAND MINISTRIES DIRECTORkldonker@fellowshipreformed.org (616) 399-9280 ext. 13
Karen is the KIDS HOPE USA Director and Hand2Hand Ministries Coordinator. She has been involved in the life and ministry of Fellowship Reformed Church since 1985, becoming the director of KIDS HOPE USA in 2001. Karen and her husband, Bob, have been married for 30 years and have two children, Rebecca and Matthew. Karen grew up in Shelby, Michigan and graduated from Hope College with a degree in Special Education. She taught at Blue Star Elementary School in Hamilton school district for 7 years before having children of her own. "Becoming involved with KIDS HOPE USA and working with the gifted and talented team on staff at Fellowship has truly been a blessing in my life," says Karen. A favorite Bible verse is 1 John 4:7-8, "Beloved, let us love one another; for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God... for God is love."
LINDA HUTCHISON, PARISH NURSElhutchison@fellowshipreformed.org (616) 399-9280 ext. 22
Linda is the Faith Community Nurse at Fellowship. She is a registered nurse with her bachelor's of science in nursing in 1984 from Illinois Wesleyan University. She attended a certification training class at Calvin College for faith community nursing. She started her nursing career on the medical/oncology floor of the hospital and has numerous years of home care experience. A note from Linda: "I feel very honored to be selected as your FCN. It is a calling from God to be chosen to serve you. Along with the health ministry team, I am eager to work with you in this important ministry." "Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you in good health, just as it is as well with your soul." 3 John 1:2
RENEE KRUEGER, MINISTRY ASSISTANTrkrueger@fellowshipreformed.org (616) 399-9280 ext. 10
DENNIS AND JULIE ROELOFS, FACILITIES(616) 399-9280 ext. 28
LESLIE RUSSELL, YOUTH MINISTER
lrussell@fellowshipreformed.org (616) 399-9280 ext. 16
Leslie has been a member of Fellowship for 18 years and has been involved with many areas including youth ministries, children's choir, Young Life, Wyld Life, Praise Team, VBS and Care Leadership Council. She started volunteering with Middle School Ministries when her triplet daughters were in 6th grade back in 2003. For the past three years, she has been on staff working with both Middle School and High School youth. Leslie has a degree in Music Education from Olivet College, so she still loves to sing during worship. Her biggest passion in working with youth is to affirm and encourage them to believe that God has a plan for their life, and that they are valued. When she's not hanging out with kids, Leslie likes to travel with her husband, Craig, explore antique shops and enjoy the summer months. Leslie's favorite verse is 1 Timothy 12:4, "Do not let anyone look down on you because you are young, but be an example to the believers in speech, life, love, faith and purity."
