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About Us

Our Beliefs

We believe that God has called us into a lasting personal relationship with Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, and that He enables us to live passionately and thoughtfully as His disciples in the world through the power of the Holy Spirit.

 

As a member of The Evangelical Covenant Church, we value “the Bible as the Word of God, the gift of God’s grace and ever-deepening spiritual life that comes through faith in Jesus Christ, the importance of extending God’s love and compassion to a hurting world, and the strength that comes from unity within diversity.”

 

AFFIRMATIONS

We seek to form and nurture communities that are deeply committed to Jesus Christ and passionately engaged in Christ’s mission in the world. The purpose of Covenant affirmations is to make clear the values and principles that have guided the Evangelical Covenant Church since its founding in 1885.

 

Our essential beliefs are summed up in what we call Covenant Affirmations:

  • We affirm the centrality of the word of God.

  • We affirm the necessity of the new birth.

  • We affirm a commitment to the whole mission of the Church.

  • We affirm the Church as a fellowship of believers.

  • We affirm a conscious dependence on the Holy Spirit.

  • We affirm the reality of freedom in Christ.

Our Team

Pastor Ken White

Lead Pastor

Ken White

Pastor Ken shepherds others through leadership, preaching, and connecting with others. He and his wife Marcia have four kids and one grandchild, whom he will talk about at a moment's notice.

 

Pastor Luke Austin

Pastor of Worship Arts

Luke Austin

Pastor Luke leads the congregation in Christ-centered worship, plans services, and guides the worship team. He fosters a joyful, authentic atmosphere where people encounter God’s presence through music, prayer, preaching and community.

Pastor Justin Saxton

Pastor of Student Ministries

Justin Saxton

Pastor Justin leads students and families in growing closer to God and each other. At home, he enjoys time with his wife, Melissa, their four kids, two dogs, and his hobby of smoking meats and fixing broken things.

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Pastor Larry Bush

Pastor of Congregational Care

Larry Bush

Pastor Larry focuses on meeting the needs of our seniors through regular visits, activities, and Bible study opportunities. By fostering a vibrant community of mature seniors, he ensures continued spiritual growth and connection, benefiting all generations.

Alaina Carpenter

Director of Children's Ministries

Alaina Carpenter

Alaina partners with parents to help kids of all ages know God's love and follow Him. She is committed to encouraging and equipping volunteers to make church a place where every child experiences safety, love, and belonging.

Lisa Recknagel

Church Administrator

Lisa Recknagel

Lisa is our friendly face and voice of welcome, ensuring every visitor and caller feels valued. She keeps things running smoothly by managing our communications, church calendar, building usage, and giving. Questions about FPCC? Lisa’s probably got the answer!

Joe Richards

Facilities Manager

Joe Richards

Joe expertly manages our facilities here at Forest Park. Being a Jack-of-All-Trades, he brings a wealth of skills and know-how to his role. His true passion, however, is caring for people and making them feel connected.

Nick Mosely

Assistant Worship Director

Nick Mosley

Nick helps lead the congregation in worship, supports the worship team, and assists in planning services. With a passion and multitude of talents, he helps create meaningful, Christ-centered worship at Forest Park.

Rhonda Wescott

Custodial Services

Rhonda Wescott

Rhonda manages our kitchen and keeps our building clean and inviting. A dedicated and hard-working team member, Rhonda has a keen eye for what needs to be done and is always ready to step in and help.​

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Ron Bruyn

Custodial Services

Ron Bruyn

Ron, a resident of our nextdoor neighbor, Joseph’s House, works alongside Joe to keep our building clean and welcoming. A regular attendee of FPCC, Ron brings a warm smile and servant’s heart to everything he does.

Lead Team

Taylor Hirvo, Chair

Laurie Carlson, Vice-Chair

Tricia Anderson, Secretary

Shane Clausen, Financial Officer

Mike Baldwin

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Jehan Bourne
Janet Mack
Brian Peterson

Marissa Sischo

Shana Sischo

Our Story, His Glory

Forest Park’s story isn’t just history—it’s a living testament to God’s unstoppable grace and love. For 125 years, He has shaped us, guided us, and woven His presence into every step of our journey. From our early beginnings in Muskegon to our move to Norton Shores, we have seen His hand at work, leading us forward in faith.

 

This church isn’t built on bricks and mortar alone—it’s built on prayers, passion, and a people committed to glorifying God. Generation after generation, hearts have been transformed, lives have been changed, and our mission remains the same: to reflect His love and be part of His redemptive work in our community.

 

This is our story—God’s story—and it’s still unfolding.

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