Our Staff
Our Ministry Staff
Kenneth A. Baker (M.Div., D.Min.), Minister of Worship and Discipleship has served as our Minister of Worship and Discipleship since coming to us from British Columbia, Canada, in August 1992. In May of 2004 Ken received his Doctor of Ministry degree from Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary in the area of "Christianity in the Workplace." Ken serves as our primary preacher and worship designer, gives direction to our ministry of discipleship, and provides leadership and support to our staff. Among the ministry developments for which he is most grateful are our transition to a blended worship style, our adoption of a new statement of core values, mission, and vision, and our commitment to a new comprehensive discipleship strategy. revbaker@3rdcrc.org
Margaret J. Jenista (M.Div.), Minister of Community Life and Witness began her ministry among us in August 2008, after completing her Masters of Divinity at Calvin Theological Seminary in Grand Rapids, MI. Prior to that, Meg, was a self-professed "vagabound," travelling in Europe, nannying in South Bend, IN and working, for a brief time, in the social work offices of White's Family Services. Meg has her B.A. from Cedarville University in Cedarville, OH, where she studied Communication Arts and Christian Education of Youth. Meg serves in many capacities at Third Christian Reformed Church, overseeing our small groups, Coffee Break, and ALPHA ministries. She also preaches several times a month and takes part in worship, pastoral care and the overall community life of the congregation. She is most eager and excited to see how God will continue to direct Third Church so that we may become a church that seemlessly welcomes and enfolds new members, while providing on-going care to our members. pastormeg@3rdcrc.org
Cyndee Viel, Director of Children's Ministries and Kids Hope USA Director is another or our "home grown" staff members. After working 18 years as a director of volunteers and activities at senior housing-facilities, Cyndee joined our staff in 2003 as our Kids Hope Director and a year later as a part-time Director of Children's Ministries. An encourager and leader, she has built our Kids Hope USA ministry into one that now involves nearly 35 mentors and an additional 35 prayers partners - all dedicated to reaching out to at-risk children at our neighborhood school, Winchell Elementary. As Directory of Children's Ministries she oversees our growing ministry to children from nursery through elementary school. We are truly blessed by Cyndee's passion for showing the love of Christ to every child in our church family...and neighborhood. cviel@3rdcrc.org
Joy Koning, Worship Coordinator began serving in this new staff position in July 2007. Joy has been a church organist and pianist for nearly forty years, and is a published composer. She has a gift and passion for worship planning and is intentional about involving young children, youth, and adults in worship leadership and participation.
Joy has many years of experience planning worship. Her goal is to assist the pastor in crafting a service that is thematically unified, and flows naturally from one element to the next. In planning music, Joy draws from the best congregationally friendly music from many genres - from psalmody and classic hymnody to global songs to gospel, to liturgical folk, to contemporary "Praise and Worshp." Heartfelt and God-glorifying singing by the assembled congregation is a priority at Third Church, whether accompanied by the organ or the band.
Marcia Taylor, Administrative Assistant joined our staff in the spring of 2005. A member of St. Thomas More Catholic Church, she came to us with a wealth of experience in office administration in a variety of marketplace and church settings. Her effervescent personality has endeared her to the rest of our staff and also to the many congregants who have contact with her by phone or in person. As our ministries continue to expand, we value her skills in managing the growing administrative challenges we face. We also value the broader ecumenical perspective that she brings to our staff deliberations and planning.
Mary Jager, Custodian joined the staff in 2004. Being a member of Third since youth, she was well aware of the challenge of maintaining a clean and hospitable facility in which so much activity takes place every week. Mary has met that challenge admirably. Thanks to her diligence, Third Church is an attractive and inviting place in which church and community activities can take place. She provides a significant service to our staff and volunteer leaders.
 
Bryan Keeley
Bryan Keely, Youth Pastor began his ministry among us in the fall of 2009, after completing his B.A. in Recreation, Youth Leadership and Youth Ministry from Calvin College. Previously, Bryan was the program director at Camp Greenwood and worked with the youth program at Plymouth Heights Christian Reformed Church in Grand Rapids. Bryan pastors college, high school and middle school students at Third and leads the high school and middle school youth groups. Brayn is excited to see how God will work with our young people! bryan.keeley@3rdcrc.org
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