Pastor Mark Scholten
I was born in Michigan and spent most of my childhood living just outside of Grand Rapids. I attended the Reformed Church of America but did not know Christ. At 16 years old I was converted while watching “Jesus of Nazareth” on TV during the Easter season. I saw the huge divide between my life and Christ’s perfect life.
Hope College in Holland, Michigan was my choice for further schooling simply because they had a religion department. This course of study left me with more questions than answers, but I did grow in Christ more deeply while in school. I graduated with a BA in Religion in 1986.
I met my wife, Kathy, while at college. After graduation, we attended the L’Abri Study Center in Switzerland for six weeks. Kathy studied education, worldview, and family living. I studied the authority, canonicity, and inspiration of the Bible. We got engaged there and were wed later that year.
At that time, I was wrestling with a call to the ministry and thinking about seminary, but I needed to mature and feel undoubtedly certain about moving forward. For three years, I spent time in the “real” world. I worked in Social Services with youthful offenders and also with the developmentally disabled population; I was a spokesman for the Right to Life of Michigan and even did sales for a time too. During those years, I was under great preaching, studied several hours each day and experienced spiritual growth.
God finally impressed on my heart that I must follow His call to the ministry in 1989. I received my M.Div. from Reformed Theological Seminary in Jackson, Mississippi, in 1992. For the past 30 years, I have served in the ministry in Michigan, Connecticut, Ohio, and Georgia and have loved it! My one desire is to pastor a growing, thriving church by building a godly community of grace-based relationships.
My wife and I have been married for 35 years and have five children and six grandchildren. I enjoy golfing, all mountains, reading, and visiting our kids and grandkids up North.
ELDERS
Bryan McReynolds
Gary Mullen
Dan Nielsen
Ted Kuhn
Ed Payne*
Eric Eagle*
DEACONS
Bobby Martin
Rick Harmer
Scott Duffin
Larry Wooten
Randy Waters*
Jim Finlay*
STAFF
Kris Finlay
Administrative Assistant
Joshua David Ling
AV/Tech Director
Darlene Mullen
Music & Choir Director
Karrie Harmer
Children’s Director
*Inactive Officer