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Meet Our Ministry Team
Pastor Jean Gomes
Senior Pastor
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, and in 2025 he accepted the call to be Senior Pastor. 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, and in 2025 he accepted the call to be Senior Pastor. 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 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
Pastor Karis Mpindi is our director of missions and outreach.
He is married to Becca, and has 4 wonderful children.
He enjoys spending time with family and friends, eating, playing soccer, watching movies or TV series, preaching the Gospel, and seeing
people know Jesus and become more like him.
He serves as the Director of Missions and Outreach at our church,
the Associative Executive Director of Mission French Africa Ministries,
and is also a ThM student at Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary.
Pastor Karis Mpindi is our director of missions and outreach.
He is married to Becca, and has 4 wonderful children.
He enjoys spending time with family and friends, eating, playing soccer, watching movies or TV series, preaching the Gospel, and seeing
people know Jesus and become more like him.
He serves as the Director of Missions and Outreach at our church,
the Associative Executive Director of Mission French Africa Ministries,
and is 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 5 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 5 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.
Lindsay Vander Ploeg
Director of Children's Discipleship
Lindsay Vander Ploeg grew up in Byron Center, Michigan. She recently graduated Cornerstone University with a degree in Worship Arts. She serves at First Byron CRC as the Director of Children's Ministry. In her free time, she enjoys to sing, bake, read, and spend time with friends and family.
Lindsay Vander Ploeg grew up in Byron Center, Michigan. She recently graduated Cornerstone University with a degree in Worship Arts. She serves at First Byron CRC as the Director of Children's Ministry. In her free time, she enjoys to sing, bake, read, and spend time with friends and family.
Cherie Zondervan
Office Administrator
Cherie Zondervan and her husband, Grant, started attending First Byron CRC after they married and moved to the area in 2002. She graduated from Grand Valley State University in 1999 with a degree in Education and received her masters degree in Ed Leadership in 2007. She serves at First Byron as the Office Administrator. In her free time she enjoys reading and spending time relaxing with family, skiing, and going to their family cottage.
Cherie Zondervan and her husband, Grant, started attending First Byron CRC after they married and moved to the area in 2002. She graduated from Grand Valley State University in 1999 with a degree in Education and received her masters degree in Ed Leadership in 2007. She serves at First Byron as the Office Administrator. In her free time she enjoys reading and spending time relaxing with family, skiing, and going to their family cottage.
Becki Doornbos
Bookkeeper
Becki Doornbos says that her and her husband and are grateful to be part of First Byron Christian Reformed Church. They have four amazing children and six grandchildren, with two more grandchildren joining their family soon — which keeps life joyful and busy!
Becki loves design and decorating, especially creating warm and inviting spaces. She also love to travel.
Becki Doornbos says that her and her husband and are grateful to be part of First Byron Christian Reformed Church. They have four amazing children and six grandchildren, with two more grandchildren joining their family soon — which keeps life joyful and busy!
Becki loves design and decorating, especially creating warm and inviting spaces. She also love to travel.
Chris Kruithof
Kid's Hope Director
Chris Kruithof has been the Kids Hope director since 2006. She graduated from Grand Valley State University with a degree in psychology and criminal justice. She is married to Kurt and have 3 daughters - Rachael, Nicole and Katie. In her spare time, she enjoys volunteering at a local animal shelter, reading and hanging out with her family.
Chris Kruithof has been the Kids Hope director since 2006. She graduated from Grand Valley State University with a degree in psychology and criminal justice. She is married to Kurt and have 3 daughters - Rachael, Nicole and Katie. In her spare time, she enjoys volunteering at a local animal shelter, reading and hanging out with her family.
Aubrie Vredevoogd
Media Specialist
Aubrie Vredevoogd serves our church as our media specialist. Aubrie is a full time art teacher at Unity Christian High School, and she is also a portrait and wedding photographer. In her free time she likes to travel, read, and spend time with her family and friends.
Aubrie Vredevoogd serves our church as our media specialist. Aubrie is a full time art teacher at Unity Christian High School, and she is also a portrait and wedding photographer. In her free time she likes to travel, read, and spend time with her family and friends.
Brett & Deb Dykema
Facility 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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