Kenneth A. Baker (M. Div., D. Min.), Minister of Worship and Discipleship

revbaker@3rdcrc.org

Ken Baker 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 fron 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.  

Margaret J. Jenista (M. Div.), Minister of Community and Witness

pastormeg@3rdcrc.org

Margaret Jenista began her ministry among us in August 2008, after completing her Masters of Divinity at Calvin Theological Seminary in Grand Rapids, Michigan.  Pastor Meg has her B.A. from Cedarville University, where she studied Communication Arts and Christian Education of Youth.  Meg serves in many capacities at Third Christian Reformed Church:  preaching, pastoral care, overseeing community events, small groups, Coffee Break and our Thursdays @ Third programming.  She is expecially excitied about seeing Third Church grow into a missional identity - loving our neighbors as Jesus Christ commanded.

Bryan Keeley, Youth Pastor

bryan.keeley@3rdcrc.org

Bryan Keeley began his minsitry 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 Church and leads the high school and middle school youth groups.  Bryan is excited to see how God will work with our young people! 

Cyndee Viel, Director of Children's Ministries and Kids Hope USA Director

cviel@3rdcrc.org

Cyndee Viel is another of our "home grown" staff members.  After working eighteen years as a director of volunteers and activities at senior housing-facilities, Cyndee joined our staff in 2003 as our Kids Hope USA 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 forty mentors and an additional forty prayer partners - all dedicated to reaching out to at-risk children at our neighborhood school, Winchell Elementary.  As Director 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.

Joy Koning, Worship Coordinator

joykoning@3rdcrc.org

Joy Koning has served as our Worship Coordinator since July 2007.  Joy has been a church organist and pianist for nearly forty years, and is a published composer.  She has a passion for worship planning and is intentional about involving young children, youth, and adults in worship leadership and participation.

Joy's goal is to assist the pastors in crafting a morning worship experience that is thematically unified, and flows naturally from one element to the next.  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 songs.  Heartfelt and God-glorifying singing by the assembled congregation is a priority at Third Church, whether accompanied by the organ or other instruments.

Marcia Taylor, Administrative Assistant

office@3rdcrc.org

Marcia Taylor 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.  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.  Marcia received her B.S. degree from Michigan State University in Urban Planning and is currently studying fine arts at the Kalamazoo Institue of Arts.

Mary Jager, Custodian

office@3rdcrc.org

Mary Jager joined our staff in 2004.  Being a member of Third Church since youth, she was well aware of the challenge of maintaining a clean and hospitable facility in which so much actvity 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.