about

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Why We Exist…

When you get right down to it EverGreen Ministries is all about making passionate followers of Jesus. A passionate follower is one who lives out the STAR Focus.

EverGreen’s  STAR Focus

Service: We are devoted to showing love by doing good.
Text: We are devoted to studying and living out the Scriptures.
Authenticity: We are devoted to living genuine lives before God, others, and the world.
Recovery: We are devoted to healing and being healed of our addictions, hurts, and destructive habits.

Context of Our Mission…

Community: We believe that being part of a caring group of believers is essential to being a passionate follower of Jesus who lives out the STAR focus.
Prayer: We believe that being a person of prayer is essential to being a passionate follower of Jesus who lives out the STAR focus.

Highlights Along the Journey…

+Our first worship service was held in September of 1993 at a local elementary school.
+Our corners offering that began in 2006 annually raises more than $20,000 dollars for the poor.
+Our partnership with orphanages in Mexico and Uganda.
+A Recovery Ministry that serves more than 350 people as they recover from addictions.
+”Love Your Neighbor Day” where more than 200 people from EverGreen went into our community and served in a variety of ways.
+An emphasis on the arts that proclaims that God declares that all creation is His.
+An on-going emphasis on the text (the Bible) that helps people grow in faith.

What We Believe…

Historic creeds and confessions that EverGreen believes:

+The Apostles’ Creed – Read it

+The Nicene Creed – Read it

+The Heidelberg Catechism – Read it

+Our World Belongs to God – Read It

EverGreen is a body of believers that comes out of the Reformed/Presbyterian family of faith…Learn More

Who Leads Us…

Larry Doornbos – Head Pastor – larry@egm.org

I am the founding pastor of EverGreen.  I, along with my wife Linda, have found great joy in watching EverGreen grow and develop over the years.  We deeply appreciate the commitment of the people at EverGreen to live passionately for Christ.  I enjoy jazz, good books,  great theater, and movies.  I also work out, but don’t enjoy that at all. —————————

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Tom Kragt – Pastor of Congregational Life – tom@egm.org

I am in charge of our Recovery Ministry at EverGreen.  We currently have over 300 people that attend our various Recovery programs throughout the week.  My love for the broken, hurting, and struggling within our community has change the very DNA of EverGreen.  I can be found playing tennis and golf in my time-off as well as running the 5/3 run each year.

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Rick Kennedy – Church Administrator – rick@egm.org

My wife Deb and I have been at EverGreen for many years and have enjoyed our time here very much.  In February of 2011 I joined the EverGreen staff as Church Administrator.  I work with the administrative staff to make sure things run smoothly here.  I also am the director of small group ministries.

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Jodi Cole Meyer – Director of Arts & Outreach – jodi@egm.org

I first came to EGM in 1998, and have been on staff for the entire millennium. I love cooking and hate baking.  I love to mess around with pottery, drama, and words and am frustrated that we still don’t have flying cars or transporters. I have been married to a wonderful, crazy man for 23 years, and have three beautiful daughters.  And I can be bought with a bottle of carmenere, 18-year old balsamic vinegar, or dark chocolate.

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Adam Locker – Director of Productions/Music – adam@egm.org

In August of 2006, I was hired as EverGreen’s first full-time music and productions director.  Since then, I have also taken on the roles of  Director of keeping Larry on task and Director of redirecting the directions given from directors.  I coach both football and baseball and, along with leading worship on Sundays, can often be found playing music at bars, rock festivals, and retreats.  I am married to my beautiful wife Leah who works as a school counselor at Creekside Middle School in Zeeland, MI.

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Laura Kiefer – Director of Youth Ministries – laura@egm.org

After working for Herman Miller and as a youth mentor, I changed professions and started working full-time as a youth leader. In the summer of 2009, I became the Director of Youth Ministries here at EverGreen Ministries.  I oversee both the Middle School (Inside Out) and High School (SURGE) youth ministries and because of my stature, regularly look up to my students.  I enjoy biking, movies, and Ohio State football.

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Sally VanEss – Director of Children’s Ministries – sally@egm.org

In my job as Childrens’ Ministry Director, I  get to see the growth of children and adults as they teach and learn together.  My husband Mark and I have been a part of EverGreen Ministries for many years, a place where we see God working in people’s lives.  Outside of EverGreen I enjoy reading, quilting, and spending time with family and friends.

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Brenda Zuverink – Administrative Assistant/Project Coordinator - brenda@egm.org

I have been a member of EverGreen Ministries since 2001 and became the Administrative Assistant/Project Coordinator in July 2011.  My professional background is in Human Resources and office work has always been my passion.  My husband, Scott, and I are blessed with two amazing daughters.  I like to read, bake things I shouldn’t eat, and volunteer at my daughters’ school.

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David Kremers – Administrative Assistant to Arts & Outreach Director – david@egm.org

I have had the privilege of being a part of the EverGreen staff since October of 2007 as the Assistant to the Arts and Outreach Director.  Recently I also took on the role of WebMaster.  My wife and I, along with our three children, have been a part of EverGreen since 2000.  I have enjoyed being involved with the music teams, arts camp, and the drama team.  I especially love doing the big musical productions we do as a community outreach every other year and can’t wait to see what we are doing next.  In my spare time I like reading, photography, cooking, and hanging out with family and friends.

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Ryan Wallace – Discipleship Ministries – ryan@egm.org

I enjoy studying culture and the Text.  Along with this passion, I desire to connect the church and community through my teaching and discipleship ministries.  If you’re ever wanting to discuss community development, mentoring, fatherless children, or anything in the Text…buy me a coffee and we’ll talk.  I am married to Rebekah (youth assistant) and spend most nights listening to podcasts as I walk my dog Toby.

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Denny Wilson – Director of Facilities – denny@egm.org

I work in many capacities within the community (Recovery Program) as well as watching over everything at the church building.  I have truly grasped our open-door policy at EverGreen, and will always be there to give anyone a warm smile.  In my free time, I can be found riding my Harley with my wife Tammy.   *Yes, this is against all of staff’s wishes…Denny is a rebel, what can we say.

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Melissa VandenHoek – Kids Hope USA Director – kidshope@egm.org

I believe strongly in mentoring.  Because of this, I head up our Kids Hope partnership at EverGreen.  Many of our congregational members are mentors at Bauerwood Elementary School in Jenison.  I am married to a wonderful man, Mike, and we have been blessed with two incredible daughters.  Together we like to hunt and watch NASCAR.

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Deb Hibbard – Administrative Assistant to the Productions/Music Director – deb@egm.org

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Jan Stravers – Membership Coordinator – jan@egm.org

I grew up in Grand Rapids but have lived in many places, including Taiwan and the Philippines where I was also a teacher.  I have taught everything from kindergarten to 5th grade, to typing, and even art.  I keep member records up to date and do all the safety checks for volunteers in our youth programs.  My husband Dave is the president of Mission India and we have made numerous mission trips to India.

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