top of page
top-banner.jpg

Meet Our Staff

staff5_6.jpg
Kent Frens

Minister of Worship and Preaching

Kent and Betsy Frens have two daughters - Madelyn and Josie.  Kent was installed at Thornapple Community Church in September 2015, and enjoys outdoors endurance activities like trail running and backpacking,as well as coaching his daughters in softball and basketball.  "Sitting around a campfire is sheer delight to my soul."

Tim Dieffenbach

Minister of Outreach and Administration

Pastor Tim Dieffenbach has served TCC since February 2005. He’s married to Brenda and has 4 children. His hobbies include: fishing, house projects, and travel with family. He is a fan of the Chicago Cubs! He also serves as the chaplain for the Cascade Fire Department. 

staff2_1.jpg
staff3_1.jpg
Kim Peckham

Office Administrator

Kim is in charge of the office and maintaining certain aspects of the church. She is married and has three daughters.

Michelle VanGeest

Director of Music

Michelle is the pianist and organist currently at TCC. Aside from that, she selects all aspects of music along with accompanying the choir. She has the most seniority over other staff members as she has been here for 27+ years! She enjoys fostering dogs and spending time with her family. She is married and has four children.

staff4_1.jpg
staff26_1.jpg
Catharina Matthews

Choir Director

Catharina finds it a privilege to work with the choir as they prepare for sharing in worship.  She is a private voice and piano instructor with her own studio.  She and husband Dale have 2 grown daughters and 3 grandchildren. Catharina enjoys working on creative projects, is an avid knitter, and loves to read.

Rachel Exoo

Director of Children's Ministry

Rachel graduated from Calvin University in 2019 with a degree in Strategic Communication and a minor in Ministry Leadership. She served as a Youth Intern during her college years, and now joins the staff as the Children's Director! In her spare time, she loves to spend time with friends and family, make all sorts of crafts, spend time outdoors. Her creativity and enthusiasm for ministry brings a fresh perspective to the program.

staff38_2.jpg
staff27_6.jpg
Jesse Zandee

Director of Youth Ministry

Jesse Zandee is the Director of Youth Ministry. He grew up in Grand Rapids and graduated from Grand Rapids Christian High School in 2016. He graduated most recently from Kuyper College with a double-major in Youth Ministry and Bible and Theology. He is currently enrolled at Calvin Theological Seminary in pursuit of his M.Div. 

Merle Elliott & Marilyn Thompson

Part-time Custodians

Merle is a part-time custodian and really enjoys cleaning the church.  In his spare time, he enjoys restoring Model A cars and collecting antique Farmall tractors. Marilyn is the custodian's helper.  She enjoys spending time with her two grandchildren, singing, baking, gardening, reading, taking piano & organ lessons, and is a docent at the Ada

staff9_1.jpg
nophoto_profile.jpg
Clyde Richardson

Financial Administrator

Clyde Richardson is our part-time Financial Administrator. He joined the TCC staff Spring 2021.   

Upcoming Events

  • Multiple Dates
    Sun, Apr 27
    Thornapple Community Church
    Apr 27, 2025, 9:30 AM – 10:30 AM
    Thornapple Community Church, 3260 Thornapple River Dr SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546, USA
    Worship with us Sundays at 9:30 AM! Find us on Youtube @tccrca to watch our livestream from home.
  • Multiple Dates
    Sun, Apr 27
    Thornapple Community Church
    Apr 27, 2025, 10:50 AM – 11:45 AM
    Thornapple Community Church, 3260 Thornapple River Dr SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546, USA
    Second hour learning opportunities are available for all ages!
  • Multiple Dates
    Sun, Apr 27
    Thornapple Community Church
    Apr 27, 2025, 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
    Thornapple Community Church, 3260 Thornapple River Dr SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546, USA
    Weekly gathering for grades 6-12
  • Multiple Dates
    Wed, Apr 30
    Thornapple Community Church
    Apr 30, 2025, 9:45 AM – 11:30 AM
    Thornapple Community Church, 3260 Thornapple River Dr SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546, USA
    This weekly gathering of ladies will study "James—What You Do Matters" by Margaret Feinberg.
  • Multiple Dates
    Wed, Apr 30
    Facebook Live
    Apr 30, 2025, 12:00 PM – 12:10 PM
    Facebook Live
    Join us for a brief time of prayer on Facebook Live!
  • Multiple Dates
    Wed, Apr 30
    Thornapple Community Church
    Apr 30, 2025, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM
    Thornapple Community Church, 3260 Thornapple River Dr SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546, USA
    Participants in the choir will rehearse this evening.
  • Multiple Dates
    Fri, May 02
    The Gathering Place Restaurant
    May 02, 2025, 7:00 AM – 8:30 AM
    The Gathering Place Restaurant, 6886 Cascade Rd SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546, USA
    A casual gathering of men weekly for breakfast!
  • Multiple Dates
    Fri, May 02
    Sugar Momma's Bakery and Cafe
    May 02, 2025, 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
    Sugar Momma's Bakery and Cafe, 6504 28th St SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546, USA
    A simple gathering of ladies to discuss where they saw God this week.
  • Multiple Dates
    Sun, May 04
    Thornapple Community Church
    May 04, 2025, 9:30 AM – 10:30 AM
    Thornapple Community Church, 3260 Thornapple River Dr SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546, USA
    The choir will sing in the service this morning. Rehearsal begins at 8:50 AM.
  • Multiple Dates
    Sun, May 04
    Thornapple Community Church
    May 04, 2025, 4:30 PM – 5:30 PM
    Thornapple Community Church, 3260 Thornapple River Dr SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546, USA
    Members of the YMT meet.
  • Multiple Dates
    Tue, May 06
    Thornapple Community Church
    May 06, 2025, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
    Thornapple Community Church, 3260 Thornapple River Dr SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546, USA
    Members of Admin Team gather to meet.
  • Multiple Dates
    Thu, May 08
    Thornapple Community Church
    May 08, 2025, 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM
    Thornapple Community Church, 3260 Thornapple River Dr SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546, USA
    A group of knitters and crocheters meet up monthly to make prayer shawls in the company of others.
  • Multiple Dates
    Thu, May 08
    Thornapple Community Church
    May 08, 2025, 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
    Thornapple Community Church, 3260 Thornapple River Dr SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546, USA
    Members of the Community Supports program through MOKA come to volunteer around church.
  • Multiple Dates
    Sun, May 11
    Thornapple Community Church
    May 11, 2025, 10:50 AM – 11:45 AM
    Thornapple Community Church, 3260 Thornapple River Dr SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546, USA
    Stop by the Bible Memory Group gathering in the Consistory Room to recite your chosen passage. All are welcome!
  • Multiple Dates
    Thu, May 15
    May 15, 2025, 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM
    TBD
    Enjoy a lunch with friends from TCC!
  • Thu, Jun 12
    Gainey Athletic Fields
    Jun 12, 2025, 6:30 PM – 9:00 PM
    Gainey Athletic Fields, 3835 Burton St SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546, USA
    2nd Annual TCC vs. TCC Softball Game!
  • Sat, Jun 14
    Forest Hills Foods
    Jun 14, 2025, 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
    Forest Hills Foods, 4668 Cascade Rd SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546, USA
    Support the youth mission trip by getting your car cleaned!
  • Sun, Jun 15
    CranHill
    Jun 15, 2025, 5:00 PM – Jun 20, 2025, 4:00 PM
    CranHill, 14444 17 Mile Rd, Rodney, MI 49342, USA
event
slideshow12_2.jpg

Get In Touch

Please share any thoughts, questions and comments and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible. Thank you for contacting us!

Thanks for submitting!

Contact Us

Visit Us

3260 Thornapple River Dr. SE | Grand Rapids, MI 49546

contact us
bottom of page