Meet The Staff
Dean Parham — Pastor
Dean is our Pastor and his responsibilities include teaching and
leading. Here is what he has to say about himself:
Who's your family? Linda and I have been married for 27 years.
We met while traveling on a summer teaching team when she was in college and I
was in seminary (yes, she is years younger than I am and wants everyone to be
aware of that). We enjoy traveling together and have had the chance to
visit several countries around the world while on mission trips. We have
three sons. Our oldest two are part of the Army National Guard and are currently deployed in Iraq. Our youngest is about to finish high school. We also have a miniature dachshund named Nessie who looks cute but will take the leg off anyone breaking into our house.
How did you come to know Christ? I had the privilege of
growing up in an active Christian home and so became convinced at an early age of the need for
Christ to be a part of my life. As a result I was very involved in church
as a child and as a teen. When I went to Bible college, after high school,
I met friends who helped to make my relationship with God even more personal and
dynamic. Though life has had its ups and downs, just like everyone else’s,
knowledge of God as revealed in the Bible is what brings stability to it
all.
What is/was your nickname? Dean is one of those names
that you can't shorten very easily and so I never really had a nickname (I feel a little
deprived, though I guess you could count Deano).
Who has been the most influential person in your life? The most
influential people have been a series of a few really good friends who have come
along at just the right time in life.
What is Your Favorite...
- Time of day? 5:00 pm — assuming the work day is done.
- Movie? Hunt for Red October and all three of the Bourne movies.
- Vegetable? There is no such thing as a favorite vegetable (and don’t let anyone try to convince you there is).
- Word or phrase? anticipation , it keeps me looking to the future.
- Sport/Team? Indianapolis Colts (my home team).
- Vacation place in the USA? Hubbard Lake, Michigan.
- Restaurant? Arby's on my normal budget, Applebee's on payday, and Great Lakes Shipping Company when someone else is paying.
- Color? Green.
What is your favorite verse in the Bible? It is Colossians 1:9-10:
Be assured that from the first day we heard of you, we haven't stopped praying for you,
asking God to give you wise minds and spirits attuned to his will, and so acquire a thorough
understanding of the ways in which God works. We pray that you'll live well for the Master,
making him proud of you as you work hard in his orchard. As you learn more and more how God
works, you will learn how to do your work. (The Message)
Karl zurBurg — Director of Middle to Senior Adults
Karl is our Director of Middle-Senior Adult Ministries. Here is
what he has to say about himself:
Who's your family? Linda J. zurBurg and I have been married
for 39 years, we met in 10th grade. Daughter: Jennifer Rhodes lives in Indiana
with her husband Mark and my grandsons Jacob and Jordan. Our son, Kurt zurBurg, lives
in Krasnodar, Russia with his wife Rochelle and my granddaughters Kayla and Anna.
How did you come to know Christ? I was born and was raised
attending an American Baptist Church, and I accepted the Lord and was baptized when
I was 12 years old. I became a committed follower of Christ in my daily life when I
was about 25, after a lay witness weekend activity, at our home church. I was
strongly encouraged in my growth with the Lord by serving with BSF (Bible Study
Fellowship) for 14 years, including both adult and children's, leadership.
What is/was your nickname? Joe.
Who has been the most influential person in your life? My father and my wife.
What is Your Favorite...
- Time of day? Morning — early morning, like 2:30 am morning.
- Movie? Mrs. Doubtfire.
- Vegetable? Fresh green beans.
- Word or phrase? Get a real life.
- Sport/Team? I couldn't care less about sports teams.
- Vacation place in the USA? Asheville, North Carolina.
- Restaurant? The Piper.
- Color? Denim Blue.
What is your favorite verse in the Bible? It is Proverbs 30:7-9:
Two things I ask of you, O Lord; do not refuse me before I die. Keep falsehood and lies far
from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise, I may
have too much and disown you and say, "Who is the Lord?" Or I may become poor
and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God.
Alyn Goossen — Director of Student Ministries
Alyn is our Director of Student Ministries. Here is
what he has to say about himself:
Who's your family? Megan is my wife and we were married on June 9, 2000. We have one son, Bradyn, who was born on October 30, 2004. Our large dog's name is Haddie.
How did you come to know Christ? I prayed to receive Christ as a young boy through the
work and testimony of my parents.
What is/was your nickname? In high school it was "Little Goose" and
"Big Al", but I really don’t have one anymore…
Who has been the most influential person in your life? Many! Megan (my wife), my
parents and lots of friends.
What is Your Favorite...
- Time of day? Tee-time.
- Movie? The Last Samurai, Braveheart, Black Hawk Down, Unbreakable, Tears of the Sun, The Village.
- Vegetable? I guess it would be French Fries — the curly ones from Arby's.
- Word or phrase? It's not about you!.
- Sport/Team? Golf, but normally there are not "teams" in golf.
- Vacation place in the USA? Anywhere near a fishing lake or golf course.
- Restaurant? Red Lobster or Crazy Horse.
- Color? Blue.
What is your favorite verse in the Bible? It is Matthew 22:37-39:
Jesus replied: Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself.
Russ Miller — Director of Worship & Music
Russ is our Director of Worship & Music, who also gets to oversee the Small Group and Outreach ministries. Here is what he has to say about himself:
Who's your family?
Amy and myself...just the two of us...we were married on August 2nd, 2003 and well and our dog who loves to go swimming.
How did you come to know Christ? His Grace! He used my Sunday school
teacher and my mother when I was 5 yrs old to present me with the truth.
What is/was your nickname? Don’t really have one...but age 8 and under it was Buck.
Who has been the most influential person in your life? My parents and my wife.
What is Your Favorite...
- Time of day? Meal time!
- Movie? Dos Tres Friends (The Three Amigos), Monte Python Search of the Holy Grail, and Tommy Boy
- Vegetable? Salsa!
- Word or phrase? yeash...yuppers.
- Sport/Team? D-town Lions.
- Vacation place in the USA? Perdido Key, FL.
- Restaurant? Qdoba.
- Color? Blue.
What is your favorite verse in the Bible? It is Galatians 1:10:
Am I now trying to win the approval of men or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still
trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.
Kandi Carman — Ministry Coordinator
Kandi is our Ministry Coordinator, which means she does way more than just
type the bulletin. Here is what she has to say about herself:
Who's your family?
Bryan, my best friend, and I were married on July 22, 1988. After 18 plus years of marriage and no children of our own we adopted our precious daughter, Lydia Grace, and have had her right from her birth on October 24, 2006. We also have a spoiled-rotten Sheltie named Raymond James, aka "Ray J.".
How did you come to know Christ? Raised in a wonderful
Christian home — I accepted the Lord when I was about five-years-old, and the
Lord has shown His faithfulness to me ever since.
What is/was your nickname? Bubbles (only by Dad), and Aunt Kandi
Bar (by nieces and nephews).
Who has been the most influential person in your life? My
Proverbs 31 Mom!
What is Your Favorite...
- Time of day? The in-between time (of sunrise and sunset).
- Movie? Toss up: Anne of Green Gables and My Big Fat Greek Wedding.
- Vegetable? Green beans (cooked tenderly).
- Word or phrase? Whatever you are — be a good one.
- Sport/Team? Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Florida) who play football at the Raymond James stadium (how we named our puppy).
- Vacation place in the USA? Wherever my family is, but I enjoy traveling where the scenery is flat (like Central Illinois) lined with cornfields and farms that have old well-maintained houses and big barns.
- Restaurant? Italian.
- Color? Any shade of Green (God must favor it too, because He used a lot of it when He created the world).
What is your favorite verse in the Bible? It is Hebrews 4:15-16:
For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One
who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. Therefore let us draw near
with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help
in time of need.
Bob DeRidder — Custodial Supervisor
Bob has been our Custodial Supervisor since about 1991. Here is what he has to say
about himself:
Who's your family? My wife, Toni, and I have been married
for 38 years. We have three single sons, Adam, Josh and Nate, and our one daughter,
Abby, is married to Greg, and they have our two grandchildren, Emma and Luc.
How did you come to know Christ? I accepted the Lord as a
child in my home after listening to a radio broadcast.
What is/was your nickname? Critter.
Who has been the most influential person in your life? My
dad and my wife share that role.
What is Your Favorite...
- Time of day? Fishing time.
- Movie? Whatever my wife watches — usually chick flicks.
- Vegetable? I don't play favorites; I love 'em all!.
- Word or phrase? Fish on!!!
- Sport/Team? Pro-football.
- Vacation place in the USA? Michigan's UP (Upper Peninsula).
- Restaurant?Brann's Steakhouse & Grille.
- Color? Blue (the color of water — and there may be fish in it).
What is your favorite verse in the Bible? It is Galatians 5:13:
For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an
opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.
Kathy Tryce — Administrative Assistant
Kathy is one of our Administrative Assistants. Here is what she has to say about herself:
Who's your family? My husband is Dick (married 35 years)
and we have two children, Ric and Melinda, who is married to Mike.
Mike and Melinda have two adorable, wonderful, smart, daughters, Joslyn and Justine. And
They live in Holland, and our son calls Chicago home. I also have a grandson, Jeren.
At this time we have no pets!
How did you come to know Christ? I asked Jesus to be my
Savior and Lord at 8-years-old. I really was afraid I would go to hell if I
died right then, so I asked him into my heart.
What is/was your nickname? Some of my nicknames have to do with
Kathleen, so Katchatory, Katchaleeny, AK, and just Kath.
Who has been the most influential person in your life? I would
have to say my Mother.
What is Your Favorite...
- Time of day? Early morning with my cup of coffee.
- Movie? Mr. Mom.
- Vegetable? Sweet Potatoes.
- Word or phrase? I love you!
- Sport/Team? Couldn't tell you.
- Vacation place in the USA? Robinson Lake, White Cloud, MI.
- Restaurant?Red Lobster.
- Color? Blue.
What is your favorite verse in the Bible? It is Philippians 4:11:
Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content.