Pastor Fred has been lead pastor at First since April 2020. He and his wife, Ingrid, have three adult children and two terrific grandchildren. They love making new friends and developing meaningful relationships.
Fred is passionate about preaching, developing healthy leadership teams, and creating strong community among people who share and show Christ’s love. He runs a marathon annually in support of church planters in Myanmar (Burma). He enjoys golf, especially when his slice is under.
Mitchell has lived in Illinois and Indiana, and graduated from Ivy Tech Community College. He's been part of our church family since he was eight years old, and he joined the staff in 2019.
Mitchell has a passion for creating and leading Biblically-rooted, Christ-centered worship, proclaiming the Gospel in full surrender to our one true Worship Leader, Jesus Christ, by the work of the Holy Spirit. He loves walking alongside people in their faith, seeing the bondage to sin broken, and freedom in Christ experienced, while growing in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3:18).
He loves to make coffee, read, run, bike, and explore nature with his wife, Nicole. Being part of an authentic faith community is something that they cherish, and they love to meet new people!
Andi has lived all over the country and settled here permanently in 2011 when she married the love of her life, Brock. They have two boys, Lane and Clint, that keep her very busy! She is pursuing a Master’s Degree in Bible Exposition (Interpretation) from Biola University and has a passion for helping others understand how to read the Bible the way God intended and engaging them in their faith on a deeper level. Andi and her family spend most of their free time outside playing with the dogs, feeding chickens, swimming or riding four-wheelers around! She loves to read, so when she’s not washing toad guts off tiny little fingers, she can be found on her back porch doing just that.
Alex joined the team here in January of 2021. Prior to coming to Indiana, he served for five years as a Student Ministries Director in West Michigan. His passion is seeing kids come into a new or deeper relationship with Jesus Christ. He also enjoys seeing students involved in the everyday life of the church AND the church getting involved in the everyday lives of students. He builds all of his work around creating real relationships with those around him.
In his spare time, Alex enjoys spending time with his wife, Stephanie, and their three kids. They enjoy fishing, hunting, sports and spending time outdoors. The girls especially love crafts and baking too!
Jenn was born and raised in Illinois. She is a graduate of Trinity Christian College - majoring in Elementary Education. Jenn is married to Tim and they have one son, Timothy. Jenn spent six years teaching in various roles before becoming a stay-at-home mom. Jenn has always had a passion for children and was called into this ministry position in 2013. She considers it a privilege to serve as Children’s Ministry Coordinator at First. She has a passion for shaping children’s faith and supporting the calling parents have to teach their children about Jesus. She has an even greater passion for Christ and is in awe of His love, mercy, and faithfulness. She loves to take trips with her family, spend time outside, read, and cheer on Timothy or the Cubs while watching baseball games.
Kelly and her husband, Jason have lived in Crown Point since 2010. They have three children Abigail, Reed and Luke. She attended and graduated from Indiana University with a Bachelors in Advertising from the school of Journalism. Kelly has been in customer service for over 20 years and enjoys promoting small businesses in Crown Point. She feels blessed to be a part of the staff at First CRC. In her free time Kelly enjoys outside activities and crafting. Kelly enjoys meeting new people wherever she goes.
Connie came to work at First Christian Reformed Church after attending for a decade and after retiring as Director of Volunteer Development for an international ministry for nearly twenty years. Even with six children (counting the in-laws), eleven grandchildren, and one great grandson, she soon found out she couldn’t sit at home, so she began filling in at the church office the beginning of 2018. It wasn’t long before she was encouraged to stay on and knew that she could “begin” again, “belong” to a team, and “become” another instrument for the Lord with this church family. It is a joy to serve Him in this place!
Lorye and her husband, Kevin, have lived in Northwest Indiana since 1988. They have a son and daughter in-law, and three grandchildren. Before joining the office staff in July of 2020, she served as the Database Manager at Elim Christian Services for 27 years. Kevin and Lorye found the people who go to First to be so welcoming and friendly. They became members themselves in July of 2022!
In her free time, Lorye loves to be outdoors. She enjoys hiking, biking, gardening, and kayaking.
Amy has been the bookkeeper here at First since 2007. Amy graduated from Trinity Christian College with her Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting. Amy spent 5 years working in downtown Chicago in accounting and office management. She and her husband Larry have 3 boys and have been members at First since 2002.
In her spare time Amy enjoys being part of the worship team here since 2004. She also enjoys being able to travel with her husband, Larry, and going out with family and friends.
Ken came from an educator’s background formally being a teacher and a principal. He has lived in the states of Florida, Iowa, Wisconsin, Illinois and Indiana while serving students. Upon retirement he was approached to fill the custodian position here at church. He had experience in this field during his junior high years having helped his father in his janitorial job at their church. Ken has been on staff at the cleanest church in Indiana for over ten years.
