Our Staff
Calvin Hoogendoorn was installed as First Christian Reformed Church's Senior Pastor on July 11, 2004. He is responsible to lead the overall ministry of our Church. Specifically, he is mandated to preach God’s Word, implement our vision, equip the Office Bearers, and oversee the ministry of the paid staff.
Calvin was born in and raised in Kingston, Ontario, Canada and became a United States citizen in November 2003. He has earned degrees from Dordt College, Sioux Center, IA, Calvin Theological Seminary, Grand Rapids, MI, and Covenant Theological Seminary, St. Louis, MO. He has served as a minister in three different Churches in the Christian Reformed Church. Prior to his arrival in Sioux Falls, Calvin served two Churches in Chicago, IL.
Calvin and his wife, Carla, have three daughters. Sarah is studying theology at Western Theological Seminary, Holland, MI. Kaitlin is enrolled at Dordt College in the Teacher Aide program. And Malorie is a Spanish major at Dordt College. Calvin enjoys reading, yard work, and reading. He is also an avid lover of hockey.
Contact Calvin at calvin@firstchristianreformed.org.
Ron joined the staff in July 2007. Ron’s primary respon
sibilities are those of calling on members of the congregation who are experiencing various life changes and working with the leadership and members of the congregation to be Jesus’ ears, hands and feet of compassion. This includes the oversight of ministries such as Stephen Ministry, Congregational Nurse, and Adult Education.
sibilities are those of calling on members of the congregation who are experiencing various life changes and working with the leadership and members of the congregation to be Jesus’ ears, hands and feet of compassion. This includes the oversight of ministries such as Stephen Ministry, Congregational Nurse, and Adult Education.Ron felt God’s call into full time ministry after 18 years in Corporate Banking. Ron spent 5 years as the Executive Director of Inspiration Hills Camp and Retreat Center and one year as the Executive Director of ATLAS of Sioux Falls before becoming part of the staff at First CRC.
Ron and his wife Lex have two adult daughters, Lindsey and Ashley who live in Sioux Falls. Ron enjoys traveling, hospitality, golf, tennis and working out regularly at the gym.
Contact Ron at ron@firstchristianreformed.org.
Nick began serving on the First Christian Reformed staff as the Director of Worship Ministry in June, 2010. He is responsible for the development of Christ-centered worship, and for providing for the corporate praise and exaltation of the Lord through music and song.
Nick joined the staff after a brief stint at Westminster Theological Seminary, following his 2009 graduation from Dordt College. At Dordt, he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, and learned how to cook nearly every food imaginable in a toaster oven.
Nick is passionate about the gospel, and is thrilled to be able to present it creatively each week. He enjoys music, books, both reading and smelling them, coffee, Kit-Kats, and the Iowa Hawkeyes.
Contact Nick at nick@firstchristianreformed.org.
Ryan joined the staff in August 2007 as the Director of Youth
Ministry. He coordinates the Middle School and High School Youth ministries as well as the college-age and 20’s & 30’s ministries.
Ministry. He coordinates the Middle School and High School Youth ministries as well as the college-age and 20’s & 30’s ministries.He graduated from Dordt College in 2001 with a Bachelor’s degree in Youth Ministry and since then has been engaged in full-time youth ministry.
Ryan and his wife Sheri have one daughter, Kiera, and twin sons, Caleb and Joel.
Contact Ryan at ryan@firstchristianreformed.org.
Kristi joined the staff in June of 2007 as the Director of Children’s
Ministry. As Director of Children’s Ministry at First CRC, Kristi coordinates all the children’s ministries and its volunteers. Kristi teams with parents to teach our children about the love of Jesus and focus on building Christ-like character through Sunday and weekly ministries.
Ministry. As Director of Children’s Ministry at First CRC, Kristi coordinates all the children’s ministries and its volunteers. Kristi teams with parents to teach our children about the love of Jesus and focus on building Christ-like character through Sunday and weekly ministries. Before being selected to the staff, Kristi held a variety of positions that equipped her for her position at First CRC, building her skills in sales, marketing, management, and customer service. Prior to her position, she enjoyed volunteering in a number of capacities at First CRC.
Kristi and her husband, Jamey, have three children. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, exercising, shopping, scrapbooking, and camping.
Contact Kristi at kristi@firstchristianreformed.org.
Glenda joined the staff in August of 2010 as Director of Enfolding. She is responsible for coordinating the Hospitality Ministry, Frontline Ministry, Enfolding Ministry, Small Group Ministry and various events of the church.
Prior to joining the staff at First Christian Reformed Church she owned and managed a retail business for 13 years. She also served as a volunteer in the Prayer Ministry and was coordinator of the Lay Shepherd Ministry. She is passionate about helping members feel welcomed to our church and helping them to use their gifts in service to God and to other members of our church family.
Glenda and her husband, Wes, have two married children and five grandsons. In her free time Glenda enjoys spending time with her children and grandchildren, reading, walking, spending time at the lake in the summer and interior design.
Contact Glenda at glenda@firstchristianreformed.org.
Kari Davelaar became part of the staff in December of 2009 as Congregational Nurse. Working with a health ministry team, she coordinates and organizes the health and healing programs for the congregation.
Kari graduated from Sioux Valley Hospital School of Nursing in 1985. She worked at Sioux Valley Hospital for 15 years in the areas of oncology and same day surgery. Previous to the current Congregational Nurse position, she worked in home health care for 5 years.
Kari and her husband Mike have four children. Erin is a freshman at Dordt College studying agriculture. Elizabeth, Troy, and John attend Sioux Falls Christian. In her free time, Kari enjoys baking, decorating cakes, reading, and gardening.
Karla joined the staff as the Administrator in September of 2008. This position is designed to ensure the development of Christ-centered stewardship in the ministry at First CRC. She manages the finances including budget development and oversight, accounts payables and provides the Council with financial reports.
Prior to joining the staff at First CRC, Karla graduated from Dordt College with a Bachelor's degree in Business and gained experience in business management, finance and marketing working both in Fresno, CA and Sioux Falls, SD.
She and her husband Luke have three children at home. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family, hanging out with friends, baking, playing volleyball, and singing.
Glady Gerdes began working part-time out of her home for First CRC in March of 1983. In 1990, her office was moved to the church. Her hours continued to increase to fulltime. In addition to her receptionist duties, Glady’s job consists of supporting the ministry staff and provides administrative help to all program ministries for the effective implementation of the vision of First CRC.
Glady and her husband Jerry have three sons, one daughter and two grandsons. Jerry was unexpectedly called home to be with his Lord and Savior on September 2, 2009.
She loves spending time with her children, grandchildren, family and friends. In 2008, Glady felt God leading her to take the Stephen Ministry training and was commissioned in June of 2009.
One of Glady’s favorite Bible passages is 2 Corinthians 1:3-7 which reminds us that God comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others in the same way that we have received comfort from God.
