Meet Our Staff

Rev. Ralph Robrahn, Pastor of Preaching and Congregational Care

Pastor Ralph is a recently retired RCA pastor extremely gifted in the areas of preaching and teaching, administration, leadership, compassion and care.

He comes to us with 41 years of pastoral ministry experience. During those years he faithfully served Jamestown Reformed Church, Bayshore Gardens Reformed Church, Fairview Reformed Church, Christ Church of Oak Brook, and Second Reformed Church of Kalamazoo. In each ministry endeavor he provided key leadership during times of transition. Pastor Ralph desires to focus on asking SRC two specific questions: Where is God at work and where do we need to join God? He shares our deep passion to 'walk across the community' and desires to assist us to reach new levels of faithfully living into our vision and mission. Pastor Ralph is a graduate of Hope College and Western Theological Seminary. For fun Pastor Ralph and Lynnore enjoy going for walks, reading, and spending time with their family which includes two married sons and four grandchildren. Pastor Ralph's main responsibilities include preaching, leadership, and pastoral care. .

[ Contact Ralph ]

Rev. Jessica Shults, Pastor of Discipleship Ministries

Jess joined the SRC staff in August 2004. Her primary responsibilities include guiding and directing the children's ministries, small groups, college and post-high, as well as serving other young adults and families. Jess is extremely passionate about helping people of all ages discover Christ in new ways and assisting people to feel like they are a vital part of this community of believers. Jess is a 2001 graduate of Northwestern College, where she earned a B.A. in Christian Education and Religion, and a 2004 graduate of Western Theological Seminary, where she earned her M. Div. While attending seminary Jess served Calvary Reformed Church in Holland as their college ministry director and Blacktop Rec coordinator. Jess greatly enjoys spending time with family, playing sports, baking, doing crafts, and having a good cup of coffee with a friend. She and Matt were married in January 2002, just before Matt joined the SRC staff as Director of Student Ministries.

[ Contact Jess ]

Jerry Slagh, Worship Leader

Jerry Slagh joined SRC as our worship leader in April of 2008, after retiring from AT&T. He has been involved in many lay positions over the years including Elder, Worship Leader, and missions participant. Jerry has a deep passion for music and sharing the gospel of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.   "I accepted Jesus Christ as my personal Savior in my teen years, and God has certainly been my guide in my life, through some difficult moments and also through some wonderful joys as the years rolled by."

Jerry attended Jenison High School, where he played trumpet and led the band as Drum Major his Senior Year. He graduated from Grand Valley State University with a major in history.   His interests also include traveling; missions; golf; U of M football(GO BLUE!); music, of course; collecting guitars; and having coffee and conversations whenever possible!

"I have a deep passion to participate with others in worship, praise, and sharing our faith together on Sunday mornings, and finding others who are passionate about music and growing in our faith together. It's my prayer that God continues to bring passionate musicians and singers to join the team at Standale and that we as a church continue to give God all the glory! "

[ Contact Jerry ]

Joyce Nyman, Administrative Secretary

When you call the SRC office, the friendly voice you're likely to hear is that of Joyce Nyman, our administrative secretary. Joyce joined the SRC staff in March 2004, after having had 20 years of experience working in both secular and church offices. In addition to general secretarial duties, Joyce produces the weekly worship bulletins and newsletters, handles the church's bookkeeping, and coordinates the scheduling of the facilities. When she's not working at the church, she enjoys traveling, scrapbooking, and spending time with family and friends. Joyce and her husband, Roger, have three adult children and six grandchildren, and they are members of Westview Christian Reformed Church.

[ Contact Joyce ]

Nancy May, Kid's Hope Director

Nancy began her ministry at SRC in 1994 as the assistant director for our Kid's Connection program, and she became its full-time director in the fall of 1995. She left that position in October of 1999 to become the director of Kid's Hope. She is very excited that our church has this opportunity to work within a local public school (Cummings Elementary), serving the neediest of the children there. To Nancy, the idea that a church is willing to sponsor such a program is truly what Christianity is all about. She completed her Bachelor of Arts degree from Aquinas College in August 2003. Nancy has 4 children and enjoys them tremendously. She also loves to work with her hands whether in her gardens or with some creative project. Nancy comments, "Children are the hope and the joy of this world and we need to do all we can to protect them and guide them as they grow."

[ Contact Nancy ]

Jeff Van Duinen, Custodian

Jeff puts in many hours each week keeping the physical plant and grounds looking sharp and seeing that everything is in good working order. Jeff is a member at First Reformed Church in Grandville, where he also serves as a deacon and church treasurer.