Pastor Clarke Clemens
Pastor Clarke grew up in Grand Rapids and graduated from Michigan State University with a BA in Pre-law and International Relations. 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.
What’s your favorite restaurants? My wife and I love Ostas Lebanese in East Grand Rapids and Bombay Cuisine in Eastown.
Favorite book? The Bible, of course. And anything written by C.S. Lewis, Francis Schaeffer, Martyn Lloyd-Jones and John Piper. For lessons on leadership I love reading Patrick Lencioni.
How do you take your coffee? Skinny latte with no flavor or foam straight from my Krups espresso maker at home!
What do you like to listen to? The radio in my car is always tuned to NPR, my Internet is set to TSFjazz.com a wonderful jazz station from Paris, complete with weather and traffic reports in French. While on my elliptical, I love listening to sermons in my iPod by Tim Keller from Redeemer Presbyterian Church in Manhattan.
Share a little known fact about yourself? Ask anyone who knows me well and they will tell you that I have the unique ability (gift?) to gain after hours entree into stadiums and arenas. From Texas Stadium in Dallas to the Olympic Stadium in Berlin. From the Horseshoe in Columbus to Sun Devil Stadium in Arizona, and many other places in between, I love exploring sporting venues on my own. (Disclaimer: My success in this area is typically based on raw resourcefulness, wit and charm and not in any way the breaking of local laws or ordinances!)
Pastor Jon Lewis
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 three children of their own.
What’s your favorite part of Kidz Camp? Chapel
What’s your favorite flavor of ice cream? Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough
What makes you laugh? My wife says some of the most hilarious things that keep me laughing.
Where were you born? Paris
Really? Parlez-vous francais? OK…so it was Paris, Tennessee.
Pastor Mark Batts
Mark serves in The Zone with the 4th and 5th graders where he helps students stay on track in their relationship with Jesus. Married for over 12 years, Mark and his bride, Thuy, have four children. As a family they enjoy the practical Biblical teaching, praise and worship, youth programs and many opportunities to serve.
What’s your favorite flavor of ice cream? Blue Moon! It’s the best flavor on the planet!
Favorite summer or winter sport? Basketball and football are my favorite sports. College Football and March Madness are the best of sports!
What’s your favorite part of Kidz Camp? Last year, both Thuy and I were counselors. I had my boys in my cabin and Thuy had three of our nieces in her cabin. It was great! Chapel was an incredible time of worship and learning! Seeing all those kids praising God with all their heart was “priceless.”
Share one more unique, little known or just a fun thing about yourself: According to my wife, I have pretty feet.
Pastor Jason Rose
Jason and his wife Tamy have been married for the past 20 years and have two daughters, McKenzy and Morgan. Jason and Tamy have been members of Resurrection Life for 15 years and have been regular volunteers in the 180 and Rez Kidz for most of that time. Jason is a graduate of Grand Rapids Community College, Christian Life School of Theology and has a B.Min degree from Vision International Bible College.
What’s your favorite food? Pizza, pizza, pizza!!!
What’s your favorite kind of cookie? I haven’t met a cookie I didn’t like! ( Well, maybe broccoli cookies! )
Favorite book? The Bible for sure but reading in general is something I’m fanatical about!
What are your favorite things to do? Spending time with my family, watching the Detroit Tigers and reading!!
What’s your favorite T.V. show? BattleStar Galactica and SpongeBob!!
Agnes Kerkstra
Agnes is Pastor Clarke’s assistant and has a knack for organizing things from weekly activities to pretty much anything that has to do with Kids Camp. She loves to laugh and has a joy that spreads to whoever gets close. In fact, most people don’t know it, but Agnes can both speak and laugh in the Dutch language.
What’s your favorite flavor of ice cream? Butter Pecan
Favorite summer or winter sport? Snowmobiling
What’s in your CD player? Upbeat Praise music
What’s something crazy/fun you’ve done? Went hunting with my husband and saw him get a 12 point buck!
Char Chandler
Char loves kids. She has three of her own, but on Sundays she’s surrounded by dozens and dozens as she helps lead praise and worship. She’s an intern with Pastor Jon in the Power House ministry.
What’s something crazy/fun you’ve done? My life has been vida la loco. I can’t say just one thing, the whole experience of being a MOM has been the FUNNEST and GREATEST bunch of mishaps and fun. I just have to look at it all and laugh…The Joy of the Lord TRULY IS MY STRENGTH!!!
What makes you laugh? I laugh at about anything! Seriously, I do, ask anyone! But that’s why I work with kids they understand where I’m coming from.
Where were you born? I was born in Grand Rapids, but my family must of had gypsy in us because I’ve lived in nine states throughout my life but found my way back to our lovely state of Michigan.
