Kevin Hart, Senior Pastor

It’s perhaps no coincidence that Senior Pastor Kevin Hart lists fishing among his favorite pastimes. Like the New Testament Apostles, Pastor Hart is in the business of casting a wide net for the harvest of souls. Kevin’s call to ministry extends back to a decade of co-pastoring with wife Suzanne prior to being hired at SRC in 2008—first at the Federated Church of Kerhonkson in upstate New York, and then at Three Bridges Reformed Church in New Jersey.

 

A graduate of Hope College, Pastor Hart has a Master of Divinity degree from New Brunswick Theological Seminary. Preaching, visiting and coordinating church ministries comprise the short list of Kevin’s primary duties, while sharing God’s love is central to all he does. “The more I learn and grow in the depth of my faith,” says Kevin, “the more I am absolutely overwhelmed by the love of God.” And this testimony is affirmed in his experience serving the congregation: “The people of Second Reformed Church have a deep faith that is not maintained in head knowledge, but continually seeks out new and abiding ways to live out the love of God.”

 

Born in South Carolina, Kevin grew up in Fenton, Michigan. He credits his visit to the Holy Land as one of the most formative experiences that has helped shaped his spiritual insights. “I traveled to Israel and was amazed by how much the land further opened my understanding of the Scriptures,” he says. Pastor Hart and wife Suzanne have four children, three grandchildren and a miniature schnauzer named Mia.

Jim Lester, Church Administrator

Jim Lester has served as SRC’s Church Administrator since 2011. With four decades of sales and marketing experience in the private sector, Jim’s superb administrative skills and understanding of church dynamics have helped bring structure and stability to church operations. Jim’s duties include overseeing all church finances and payroll while managing special projects as directed by the church consistory. “I like the opportunity my position affords me to share my skills of building consensus and budgeting time and finances,” Jim says. “It has been a blessing to see the way SRC has been a part of fulfilling the needs of people in the greater Kalamazoo area, as well as our outreach to the world.”

 

Prior to taking on the position of church administrator, Jim served as vice president of the church consistory, and chair of the pastoral search committee. “Jim deeply invests in people,” says Pastor Kevin. “He has a big heart that quietly cares for and supports others. He has a talent for working with all kinds of people.”

One of Jim’s passions is food preparation. He is a fantastic cook and delights in feeding people. The congregation has often been the beneficiary of Jim’s culinary talents.

 

Born in Tennessee and raised in Three Rivers, Michigan, Jim made his personal commitment to Christ in 1960 while attending a vacation Bible school. Jim’s wife Barbara is a substitute organist at SRC. The couple resides in Three Rivers.

Beth Johnson, Ministry Assistant

If you call Second Reformed Church during the day, you’ll likely be greeted by the friendly and helpful voice of Beth Johnson. For Beth, assisting in the work of the church is a labor of love, and a life-time calling. Beth came to Second Reformed Church in 1989 having worked in a church office since high school. Her commitment to Christ, however, came at the early age of seven through a neighborhood Child Evangelism Bible Club. Arriving home from Bible Club one day, she approached her father, a local pastor, about the Gospel message. “He took me aside,” she says, “and showed me how I could become a believer in Christ and give my life to Him.” Beth and her husband Steve (also a pastor) have committed their lives to full-time ministry. In her experience serving the church and the Kalamazoo community, Beth offers this testimony: “Internal peace, joy, and assurance in one’s personal life is a big need and can only come through the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.”

 

Beth was born in South Bend, Indiana and moved to Michigan at age 15 when her father was called to pastor a church in Fremont. As SRC’s Ministry Assistant, Beth’s many duties include helping prepare the Sunday bulletin and slide presentations, maintaining membership records, scheduling, and assisting with Prime Timers—SRC’s program for church retirees. And then there are special tasks and assignments . . .

 

Beth and Steve have two daughters and seven grandchildren. Beth enjoys spending time with her grandchildren, sewing and reading. She and Steve share a special affection for their Goldendoodle named Mack who weighs over 80 pounds and thinks he’s a lap dog. And for those who don’t know, a Goldendoodle is a cross-breed between a Poodle and Golden Retriever.

Dennis Marsman, Building Supervisor

Dennis Marsman is SRC’s Building Supervisor. He joined the church staff in 2003 with a background in sales. Dennis oversees the maintenance of the church building and grounds and is responsible for special events set-up and purchasing of supplies. His other duties include carrying out the directives of the church security team.

 

Affirming the old proverb “cleanliness is next to godliness,” Dennis says, “my goal is to provide a clean, safe environment, so no matter what reason brings you here—from sports to worship—you are able to feel at home.” And home for Dennis is Kalamazoo—born and raised.

 

Dennis and his wife Marjan have two daughters, and when not keeping an eye on the church building facilities, Dennis enjoys reading mystery books, and working with stained glass. He also keeps an affectionate eye on his pet dog, Tobi. Dennis’s stewardship ethic stems from his personal calling: “I seek to do God’s will, nothing more, nothing less, nothing else!

Dianne Gill, Kids Hope Director

An abiding love for children is the passion that drives Dianne Gill’s work with Kids Hope—a national mentoring program for at-risk kids. As SRC’s Kids Hope Director, Dianne coordinates our church’s partnership with Kids HopeUSA to meet the needs of students at Kalamazoo’s Northeastern Elementary School. Dianne joined the SRC staff in 2013 and is responsible for recruiting, training and scheduling Kids Hope mentors. Equally important, she enlists prayer partners to pray for each mentor and student.

 

A native of Valley Stream, Long Island, New York, Dianne received her associate’s degree in clothing design from the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City and a bachelor’s degree in clothing and textiles from the University of Southern Mississippi. Her varied work experience includes being a children’s clothing designer in New York City, and employment in the non-profit sector, most notably here in Kalamazoo as executive secretary to the Director of the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts, and Gilmore Keyboard Festival office manager.

 

Dianne’s interests have always involved her love of painting, designing and decorating, and especially her joy in encouraging children to explore the arts. “Teaching children in Sunday School and Vacation Bible School,” she says, “has always been my love, and now I can share the arts with children at Northeastern.”

 

Dianne met husband Americus (Mack) Gill at West Point, New York. As a U.S. Army officer, Mack’s assignments took them around the world in 14 separate moves. They finally landed in Kalamazoo where Mack was assigned as Professor of Military Science at Western Michigan University. Dianne and Mack have been married 52 years and have four children, 18 grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, and an adorable West Highland Terrier named Winnie.

Jan & Ken Luchies, Youth Leaders

If you call Second Reformed Church during the day, you’ll likely be greeted by the friendly and helpful voice of Beth Johnson. For Beth, assisting in the work of the church is a labor of love, and a life-time calling. Beth came to Second Reformed Church in 1989 having worked in a church office since high school. Her commitment to Christ, however, came at the early age of seven through a neighborhood Child Evangelism Bible Club. Arriving home from Bible Club one day, she approached her father, a local pastor, about the Gospel message. “He took me aside,” she says, “and showed me how I could become a believer in Christ and give my life to Him.” Beth and her husband Steve (also a pastor) have committed their lives to full-time ministry. In her experience serving the church and the Kalamazoo community, Beth offers this testimony: “Internal peace, joy, and assurance in one’s personal life is a big need and can only come through the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.”

 

Beth was born in South Bend, Indiana and moved to Michigan at age 15 when her father was called to pastor a church in Fremont. As SRC’s Ministry Assistant, Beth’s many duties include helping prepare the Sunday bulletin and slide presentations, maintaining membership records, scheduling, and assisting with Prime Timers—SRC’s program for church retirees. And then there are special tasks and assignments . . .

 

Beth and Steve have two daughters and seven grandchildren. Beth enjoys spending time with her grandchildren, sewing and reading. She and Steve share a special affection for their Goldendoodle named Mack who weighs over 80 pounds and thinks he’s a lap dog. And for those who don’t know, a Goldendoodle is a cross-breed between a Poodle and Golden Retriever.

Jordan Palladino, Campus Ministries

True to our commitment to be an open door for area college students, Second Reformed Church partners with Young Life College Ministry in providing office space, and prayer and personal support for campus Young Life leaders. We are pleased to have Jordan Palladino as part of our extended Second family. Jordan is the Director of Young Life College at Western Michigan University (WMU), and Co-Pastor for the International Campus Ministry at WMU. Jordan was hired by Young Life College in 2011 and came to Kalamazoo in 2016. A Kalamazoo native, Jordan grew up in Holland, Michigan and earned a BA from Grand Valley State University (GVSU) with a double major in International Relations and Public/Nonprofit Administration.

 

Jordan characterizes his work on campus as one of building relationships. “I believe I’m called to walk with college students and help them navigate this new experience that’s college,” Jordan says. “Jesus wants a personal relationship with all his children, and I try to help students see that and come to Jesus when they are ready. I love Kalamazoo and the people here, and I love college students and serving at WMU. I think the Holy Spirit is moving in powerful ways on campus and I’m so excited to be a part of it!”

 

A true sports enthusiast, Jordan loves to play tennis, golf, frisbee golf and ultimate frisbee. He also loves to geocache, hike, travel, go exploring, and play the guitar.

 

Prior to coming back to Kalamazoo, Jordan was the Young Life College Intern at GVSU for two years, and a church partner with Young Life in Midland, Michigan. He also served as Youth Pastor at Midland’s Trinity Lutheran Church for three years. Jordan and his wife, Marcae, live in the Kalamazoo area.

Pastor Ron DeYoung

After many years directing the International Student Fellowship at Western Michigan University, Pastor Ron De Young has transitioned into a new role ministering to students at Kalamazoo Valley Community College (KVCC) with a new title—Pastor of Campus Connections. Since the spring of 2018, Pastor Ron has been assigned the task of developing a new SRC ministry to KVCC students—one that takes a holistic approach to the challenging needs of campus life. The goal is to help students be successful in their social, academic and spiritual life, meeting them where they are and at their point of need, helping them develop skills that will empower them for life. Participating in a Bible study with students and learning about community college life has opened multiple opportunities for Ron to positively impact the lives of KVCC students. Pastor Ron holds a Master of Divinity degree from Calvin Theological Seminary and has recently pursued studies in Life Coach Training to better help him connect today’s college student with the positive message of new life in Christ. Ron has earned an Excellence in Coaching certificate.

 

Born in Hammond, Indiana, and raised in South Holland, Illinois, Ron grew up in a Christian home. He made his commitment to Christ while in college after a period of questioning. He gives this testimony: “I know I have been forgiven of all my sins through the blood of Jesus Christ and have received the gift of eternal life. My goal is to live as an active witness of the gospel, and to both experience and share the grace and mercy of God in Christ Jesus.”

 

True to his calling as a campus minister, Ron has a keen sense of the impact the popular culture has on young people today: “We live in a world of chaos and confusion,” he says. “There are so many people living with multiple needs and so many areas where we can lend our help. With a little bit of friendship and guidance, their lives can open to a whole new way of thinking and living. As Christ followers, we have an awesome opportunity to journey with them and serve them in the name of Christ.”

 

Ron and his wife Fran have three grown children and six grandchildren. We are pleased to have Ron help us launch a new ministry sharing the light and life of Christ with students at KVCC.

Pamela Perry, Office Assistant