About Us
Pastoral Staff
Duane Vander Klok
Lead Pastor
Pastor Duane Vander Klok has lead Resurrection Life Church since 1984. Before that he and Jeanie, his wife, were missionaries in Mexico for seven years. Together they lead this church with vision for lives set free and hearts in relationship with Christ. Click here for more on Pastor Duane.
Joe Tucker
Executive Pastor
joet@reslife.org
Joe Tucker serves our families as the Executive Pastor of ResLife and the Executive Producer of the television ministry, Walking By Faith. He uses his talents and abilities to provide oversight and leadership to the Pastoral and television production teams. Joe enjoys outdoor activities which includes regular motorcycle rides with his wife, Cindy, on their Harley Davidson. They are the parents of 5 children and have 12 grandchildren.
Bernie Blauwkamp
Senior Associate Pastor
bernieb@reslife.org
Just five days after recognizing Jesus Christ as Lord, Bernie came to ResLife and never stopped coming back. That was 1985. Since then he has seen God forgive, heal, and bless his life. Now he helps others experience the same thing. When he’s not overseeing ResLife administration, finances, or healing ministry, and helping start new churches; he’s probably with his wife or coaching sports with his five sons.
Merle Bremer
Senior Associate Pastor
merleb@reslife.org
Pastor Merle has many years experience in both business and ministry. He oversees Pastoral Care and the many Hospitality Ministries at ResLife. His passion to serve others and walk with them through the seasons of life is evident to those serving under his leadership. Merle enjoys serving alongside others, participating in mission trips, outdoor activities including regular motorcycle outings. He and his wife, Mary, have four children and two grandchildren.
Tom Smith
Senior Associate Pastor
toms@reslife.org
Just a few years after making a decision to receive Christ, Tom started coming to ResLife and saw his life change. He was a sales engineer until he joined the ResLife Staff. As a pastor he has found new joy in helping people discover their God-given destiny as he encourages and equips people for the work of the ministry. This happens through the Leaders For Christ Training Center and other areas he oversees including connecting volunteers, Life Groups and the membership class. Tom and his wife, Holly, enjoy spending time together with their three sons. In the summer you'll probably find him on the softball field leading his team to victory.
Pat Binish
Associate Pastor
Noah's Ark Nursery/Preschool
patb@reslife.org
In 2001 Pat left his engineering career in the automotive industry to pursue his greater passion of helping young families grow in the Lord. As the overseer of the nursery and preschool at ResLife church, Pat guides this ministry of excellence in providing a safe and caring environment for young children and families to experience and find Jesus. When Pat and his wife Tina are not active in the nursery ministry, they are usually involved in remodeling projects, camping and relaxing with their family, friends, and five children.
Chris Brooks
Associate Pastor
Student Ministries
chrisb@reslife.org
Building lives is Chris' passion. He desires to see a generation rise up in West Michigan who are equipped to do the work that God has for them. His goal is to develop a courageous and empowered generation. He is not only passionate about youth ministry, he is also absolutely crazy about his beautiful bride, Emily, and their champion of a son, Ethan. Chris loves anything that is motor sports related, and has since a very young age. When he's not in the office, you can find him with his family out in the sun.
David Christian
Associate Pastor
Pastoral Care
davidc@reslife.org
David is passionate about helping people grow as disciples of Jesus Christ, in the Word, in relationships, and in ministry. Serving at ResLife, he helps lead and minister in the Hispanic congregation (known as Iglesia Vida), is a part of the Life Groups ministry, does personal ministry in the area of marriage & family, leads an occasional mission trip, and puts his architectural design training to work on ResLife facility projects. His heart for people affects everything he does. Pastor David and his wife, Gerri, teach a 12 week series together called Bridging The Gap, concerning healing the broken hearted. When he’s not ministering at the church, he enjoys exercising, traveling or gardening with Gerri, or just a quiet evening of reading. David and Gerri have three wonderful daughters.
Clarke Clemens
Associate Pastor
RezKidz
clarkec@reslife.org
Pastor Clarke grew up in Grand Rapids, graduated from Michigan State University with a BA in Pre-law and International Relations, and is a masters candidate at Trinity Theological Seminary. He lived in New York for six years where he first began attending church and learning about the Bible at Times Square Church. After completing an internship at Resurrection Life Church-Grandville, Clarke accepted a position in RezKidz, the ministry for the almost 800 children in Kindergarten through the 5th grade who attend our weekly services. Clarke and his wife, Denise, have two boys.
Curt Coffield
Associate Pastor
Worship & Creative Arts
curtc@reslife.org
Curt Coffield is committed to helping others worship. He is a worship leader, teacher and songwriter who has been leading worship for over twenty years. In addition to leading worship, Curt serves as the Teaching Pastor that champions the Midweek service at Resurrection Life Church. As part of the Integrity Music’s band PK7, Curt led worship for Promise Keepers events in arenas around the nation for several years. Curt's songs have been recorded and released by a variety of artists such as Israel Houghton and New Breed, Maranatha Praise Band, Resurrection Life Church, Willow Creek Community Church, Saddleback Church, and Christ for the Nations Institute. Curt is married to Jennifer and has a daughter, Gabbi, and a son, Chantry.
Edgar Gomez
Associate Pastor
Holland Campus
edgarg@reslife.org
Edgar studied at Rhema Bible Training Center before he came to ResLife as a pastoral intern and grew into ResLife leadership with the Hispanic Ministry (Iglesia Vida). He now leads the Holland Campus, which has services in both English and Spanish and has been growing under his leadership since 2005. Besides teaching and leading at the church, he enjoys spending time with family and friends.
David Jennings
Associate Pastor
Prison Ministry & Adult Singles (40+)
davidj@reslife.org
Music has been part of David’s live since he was a teenager. He ministries through music in prisons and leads worship in ongoing church activities. He uses his musical skills to help people grow closer to God. Along with regularly leading the adult singles group, David leads the ResLife Prison Ministry and has produced several musical recordings. When he’s not leading worship, he’s probably fishing or spending time with his wife, Judith.
Deb Kirgis
Associate Pastor
Walking By Faith
debk@reslife.org
Deb has seen God work miracles in her own life and now she passionately helps connect people with Christ through the television ministry of Walking By Faith where she is the ministry director. When she's not overseeing the business office, prayer center or ministry department at Walking By Faith, Deb is probably spending time with her family, gardening or camping, and reading. Her husband, Rod, is an elder at ResLife. They have two daughters.
Jon Lewis
Associate Pastor
Power House
jonl@reslife.org
After "accidentally" getting involved in Children's Ministry, Jon got hooked and has been doing it ever since. Besides teaching regularly at RezKidz, Jon oversees the Power House ministry that reaches children in the inner city of Grand Rapids with God’s love. Besides the hundreds he ministers to each week, Jon and his wife, Kristi, have two children of their own.
Brent Matzen
Associate Pastor
Access
brentm@reslife.org
Before he joined the US Air Force, Brent often found himself at Access on Thursday nights. After his time in the service and a degree from Regent University, Brent returned home to ResLife and joined the staff here in 2006. Now he heads up the very ministry he used to attend! He’s the joyful husband of Angela and proud father of their two children. When it comes to Access, he wants it to be a place where people completely surrender their lives to Christ’s kingship and grow together.
Dorie Meendering
Associate Pastor
Women's Ministry
doriem@reslife.org
After giving up a career in nursing and teaching piano, Dorie set her heart on helping women heal from the inside out so they can live in restored hope and joy. She ministers to women as the director of ResLife Women’s Ministry through weekly women’s events and personal ministry. She also enjoys outdoor activities and spending time with her husband, sons, and grandchildren.
Tim Ostrom
Associate Pastor
Production Manager
Media/Video/Audio
timo@reslife.org
After serving in the Air Force, Tim attended bible school where he worked in information technology and then television. Now he brings his skills to ResLife where he directs the media aspects of the church and produces the Walking By Faith television show sending the Gospel around the globe every week. Besides keeping up on the ever-changing world of media technology, Tim has been active in ministry and has experience teaching the Word at ResLife. He enjoys spending time traveling and outdoor activities with his wife and their children.
Ken Reynolds
Associate Pastor
Worship & Creative Arts
kenr@reslife.org
Ken has become one of the newest rising worship leaders today. He is a gifted songwriter, producer, and arranger who credits all he is able to do in the ministry back to God. Ken serves at Resurrection Life Church as a worship pastor. His latest release "For You I Live" with Resurrection Life Church was signed by Integrity Music and was also nominated for "Worship Project of the Year" (choral) by Worship Leader Magazine. "Great Things" is Ken's first solo release under the Integrity/Columbia label. Ken's songs are already being sung all over the world, including Korea, Hawaii, the Philippines, and Africa. Ken is married to Andrea and has two children, Kenton and Alyssa.
Todd Staal
Associate Pastor
Men's Ministry
todds@reslife.org
As an Associate Pastor and Director of Men's Ministries, Todd is passionate about equipping men to change their world. Along with his wife Cheryl, they also mentor on marriages and perfected love as they share the Gospel and real life experience. His bride of 19 years and two sons help frame his world. Todd also enjoys riding his motorcycle in the summer sun.
Daniel Vander Klok
Associate Pastor
Student Ministries
danielv@reslife.org
Connecting kids—simple words describe the big job Daniel does. His fun approach to leading students integrates activities and events on a groundwork of practical lessons for the life of a pre-teen. When he’s not planning the next activity, he and his wife, Amanda, are probably hanging out with a group of students, climbing a rock wall or out skiing on a lake when the temperature is above 45 degrees.
Samuel Vander Klok
Associate Pastor
Student Ministries
samuelv@reslife.org
Samuel is one active guy. Whether it's mountain biking, rock climbing or leading the Ground Floor ministry for high school students, he is always making things happen. Anyone who hangs out with Samuel and his wife, Becca, knows that they have a blast at what they do. When they are not hanging out with students in the Ground Floor or at a small group, they're probably planning something new and playing with their two daughters, Avery and Molly.
Bruce Vanderveen
Associate Pastor
Worship & Creative Arts
brucev@reslife.org
Have you heard ResLife music? Then you’ve probably heard Bruce. Skilled on a variety of instruments, he writes music for the ResLife worship band and regularly plays saxophone, keys, guitar, bass, and more in the Worship Center. An active trainer for the band, he also mentors intern musicians. When he’s not holding an instrument, he’s probably getting ready to pick one up or spending time with his wife and their three children.
Dean Wheeler
Associate Pastor
Pastoral Care
deanw@reslife.org
Pastor Dean and his wife, Celia, have been involved in ministry at ResLife since 1995. Throughout the years he has been involved with many areas, and has a heart for teaching classes and ministering to families. Pastor Dean oversees home and hospital visits, and the seniors’ ministry, Barnabas. Dean and Celia have two daughters and three grandchildren.
