Sunday Schedule
Children: 9:00a.m. and 10:45a.m.
Youth: 10:45a.m. and 6:00p.m.
More Information
Map
Pastors and Staff
Pastors
Senior Pastor Dr. Gerhard T. deBock
Pastor Gerhard (nicknamed Gary) was born in Utrecht, Netherlands, and immigrated to Greenville, Delaware, at age four. He committed his life to Jesus Christ in 1973, before his sophomore year in high school, through friends in Hollis Center, Maine. He holds a bachelor's degree in Biology from The Kings College in New York, a Master of Divinity and a Doctorate of Ministry degree from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield, Illinois.
In 1980, he married his wife Kathy, and they enjoy three children: Ben (1984), Rebekah (1987), and Matthew (1990). Ben is teaching high school math in Oregon. Rebekah married Patrick Rich in 2009 and they now live in Oklahoma where both teach school. Matthew is attending LeTourneau University in Texas.
Pastor Gary came to Trinity Fellowship in the summer of 1983 as her first full-time pastor. His personal mission is to "multiply glory to God by equipping change agents, especially through teaching for life transformation." He has a passion for God's Word and helping us welcome it into our lives with accuracy, clarity and practicality. He has a heart for the world, partnering with and coaching missionaries and pastors in various places. He enjoys woodworking, restoring old things, reading, computer calligraphy, gardening, taking long walks, enjoying a day at the beach, and helping others have fun on the boat.
Pastor of POWERHOUSE Student Ministries Don Hancock
Pastor Don was born in Chicago Heights, Illinois and was raised in Lynwood, Illinois. He and his wife, Tammi, were married in 1988 and have two children: Jake (1989), who is pursuing a degree in Elementary Education at Ferris State University, while playing Division II football as the starting center for the Ferris Bulldogs; and Mandi (1991), who is pursuing a degree at Ferris State in Dental Hygene and a minor in Spanish. As a boy of seven Pastor Don became convinced of his spiritual need. It was at this time, with help of his mom, he yielded his heart and life to God. By his sophomore year of high school, he felt a call into full time ministry. He went on to get a Christian Education Diploma and a Teacher's Diploma from Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, Illinois.
Pastor Don came to Trinity Fellowship in 1994 after having completed six years of youth ministry at the Lena (Illinois) Evangelical Free Church, and one and half years as an interim youth pastor at the Glenwood Bible Church, also in Illinois.
Pastor Don's heart is to equip parents toward becoming spiritual heroes and mentors to their teenagers; as well as to reach and disciple students—who are transformed by Christ—to live as spiritual champions in their homes, on the campuses, and in the world. He enjoys running, reading, splitting wood, spending time with his kids, as well as camping, hiking, biking and enjoying the beach with his wife.
Senior Associate Pastor John Angell
Pastor John Angell was born and raised in New Hampton, Iowa. He graduated from New Hampton High School in 1976, and received his undergraduate degree in Marketing from the University of Northern Iowa (UNI) in 1980. At the age of 21, in the spring of 1979, Pastor John received Christ as his Lord and Savior.
After graduating from UNI, Pastor John was employed as a Pharmaceutical Salesman for 5 years with Bristol Myers. During that time, his walk with Christ deepened, and he sensed a call to Bethel Seminary. He received his Masters of Divinity in 1989 with an emphasis in Biblical Studies.
Before coming to Trinity Fellowship, Pastor John served 16 years in Appleton, Wisconsin at Appleton Alliance Church as an Adult Ministries Pastor, and 5 years in Gastonia, North Carolina at Bethlehem Church as a Senior Associate Pastor.
Pastor John met Pamela during his studies as a seminarian, and they were married in 1988. Together they have been blessed with seven wonderful children. Pastor John enjoys working on small projects around the house, golfing, fishing, hunting and attending the musical and sporting events of his children.
Ministry Staff
Laura Vallette - Children's Ministry Director
Laura Vallette came to Michigan with her family as an infant, and has attended Trinity Fellowship since then. She responded to Christ's call to a personal relationship as a young child and has revealed that relationship through a life of service and outreach.
Laura graduated from Crossroads Charter Academy, and has a communication degree from Ferris State University. She married her high-school sweetheart (Christopher) in 2005, and they currently live in Big Rapids with their daughter, Jaedyn, born in 2010. They enjoy camping, exercising and working in ministry together.
Laura has worked within Trinity's children's ministry for over 10 years in positions including: worship leader, small-group leader, teacher, large-group coordinator, summer staff and interim children's ministry director. She became the full-time children's ministry director in June of 2010. Laura looks forward to serving God and the greater Big Rapids community in the years to come.
Support Staff
Paula Nunn - Administrative Coordinator
Paula works part time and is normally in the office on Monday and Tuesday, and works from home other days of the week. She provides general oversight of office staff, equipment and procedures; and maintains the church database and records.
Kathie Richards - Office Manager
Kathie works part time and is in the office on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. Her responsibilities focus primarily on production of the regular publications (worship bulletin, announcements and monthly newsletter), recruiting and managing work for office volunteers.
Laurie King - Administrative Assistant
Laurie works part time and is in the office on Mondays, Tuesdays, and most Wednesdays and Thursdays. Her responsibilities focus on scheduling the use of the Ministry Center & Outback, keeping the church calendar and overseeing credit card purchases.
Phyllis Rolston - Administrative Assistant for Powerhouse Student Ministries
Phyllis works part time and provides administrative support for the Pastor of Student Ministries, Don Hancock.
Carla Kleinheksel - Controller
Carla works part-time and is in the office on Wednesdays. She oversees accounting procedures, provides financial reports and keeps our financial books in order.
Custodians
The church also employs two part-time custodians.