Organization

Meet our Staff

	Reverend Andrew (Andy) Martinez, Senior Minister revandrew@fpc-elkrapids.org (“Reverend Andy” or just Andy) was born in Temple, Texas and grew up in Dallas as one of seven children. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Gordon College, a Christian school in Hamilton-Wenham, Mass.; a Master of Divinity degree and a Doctor of Ministry degree, Church Growth concentration, from Fuller Theological Seminary, Pasadena, CA     Bio        Interview
	Brittany Rice Peterson, Interim Family Life Coordinator bpeterson@fpc-elkrapids.org Brittany Rice Peterson graduated from Elk Rapids High School in 2003 and went on to earn her Bachelor’s of Theology in 2008, majoring in Youth Ministry in Emmanual Bible College in Kitchener, Ontario. Teaching and caring for others is a definite calling, and she recognizes them not only as gifts but as a source of joy in her life. She absolutely loves working with youth and children while fostering their spiritual growth and teaching them about Christ's redeeming work.
	Wayne Shuler, Director of Operations and Financial Officer wshuler@fpc-elkrapids.org Wayne is a graduate of Ohio Northern University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering. For 30 years he ran his engineering and architectural design firm in Cincinnati as well as serving as Chairman of the Board of BMF Savings Bank. Wayne then retired to Elk Rapids where the family has had a home for several years. In 2002 he was appointed Church Treasurer and in February 2008, he took on the additional responsibility of Director of Operations. Wayne and his wife Pam celebrated 40 years of marriage in September, 2009. They have two sons and a daughter who are all married and have four children.
	Liz Atkinson, Financial Secretary latkinson@fpc-elkrapids.org Educated at Schoolcraft College majoring in Business Administration and Accounting. Liz spent 16 years as the Operations Manager for an Accounting/Data Processing firm before moving north to Torch Lake with her husband, Robert. Liz and her husband have been married for 30 years and have 3 children. She divides her time between her financial duties at FPC and her position of Milton Township Treasurer.
	Sandra Lake, Church Office Administrative Assistant and Newsletter Editor slake@fpc-elkrapids.org
	Cheryl Knight, Director of Music cknight@fpc-elkrapids.org Cheryl is a graduate of Oakland University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in vocal music education, grades K - 12. She taught elementary vocal music in the Detroit metropolitan area as well as in northern Michigan. Cheryl is a past choir director at the Traverse City Presbyterian Church. She has been directing the Elk Lake Community Choir for a number of years and has participated in the Elk Rapids Rotary Show as well. Cheryl and her husband, George, live on Elk Lake. They have two daughters and a son living in the immediate area as well as one son residing in Boston.
	Melissa West, Coordinator of Child Care In November 2007 Melissa joined us as Nursery coordinator. She enjoys caring for the children and teaching Gods word. Melissa is a stay-at-home Mother. She and husband David have two young sons Koa and Kawai. Her primary goal is to give the children a safe and fun environment to learn about God's love.
	Ronnie Blackmore, Custodian of Church Property

2012 William Clark Susan Cook, Clerk Penny Novarro John West

2013 Barbara Cole Sarah Miller Nancy Muhlig John Werner Douglas White

2014 Charlene Hansen Kathy Moore Betty Tezak Erin Veliquette

2011	2012	2013
Sandra Davids	Saundra Blackmore	Peggy Bushnell
Janet Johnson	Dianne Hall	Denise Heeke
Leonard Orzechowski	Mark Haskell	Marcia Price
Diane Thompson	Phyllis Staley	Jan Shurte
Marge Weitschat	Cathy Weidman	Luella Wahl

2011	2012	2013
Loyal Cobb	Mark Blackmore	Jana Gillstrom
Roger Gehrt	Thomas Calkins	James Goodall
Charlene Hanson	Ken Cook	Don Shurte
Jon Heeke	James Mottern	Betty Sinclair
Richard Schurch	David West	Peter VanDenBerge

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• Ministry Teams
• Presbyterian Women
• Sanctuary Choir
• Stephen Ministry
• Youth Ministry

Fellowship activities    More information   Chef Eric Cooking Event

More information

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Outreach

• Be faithful stewards of the resources entrusted to the Outreach Ministry Team from the general operating fund budget. Three sub-teams, local, national, and international annually recommend approximately 45 different organizations as recipients of funds.
• Inspire the members and friends of our church to devote more of their God-given talents and treasure to serving those in need.
• Recommend to Session specific uses for the Mission Endowment Fund proceeds in accordance with the Fund’s guidelines.
• Plan an annual Mission Sunday in the autumn of each year.
• Control and approve budgeted expenses incurred in Ministry Team’s area of responsibility.
• Provide input for annual operating budget by August 1.
• The chairperson shall provide a written Annual Report of the current year’s activities due by mid-January of the subsequent year.

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Stewardship

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Worship

Co-Chairs:  Elder Nancy Muhlig – Judy Matchett

The Worship Committee works hard to create a welcoming atmosphere in which we, as a faith community, proclaim and praise Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior through various forms of worship.

Other Members

Sue Calkins Connie Clark Amy Schindler Carol Sinclair Le Rue Werner

Gary Bekkering Cheryl Knight

Prayers

In the quiet of Pastor Andy’s office during each service, people are praying. Jan Bellingham and Carol Sinclair are asking people to donate one Sunday Service a month to pray for our church and any other needs that are brought to our attention just before each service begins.

Are you shy and private in your praying? That is perfectly all right. You may sit quietly, praying by yourself. There is no format. It is the gift of your presence that Christ desires.

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    Youth Ministry Page

• Develop, plan and direct the Christian Education programs, outreach programs, fellowship activities and mission projects for grades 6 through 12 and college.
• Recruit and train volunteers for Youth Ministry programs
• Provide guidance and support for the DYM
• Assist with job evaluation for the DYM
• Represent the session to youth ministry
• Provide regular reports to Session
• Youth Camping Ministry
• Develop and plan the confirmation program
• Provide input for annual operating budget by August 1
• Control and approve budgeted expenses incurred in Ministry Team’s area of responsibility
• The chairperson shall provide a written Annual Report of the current year’s activities due by mid-January of the subsequent year.

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