Staff

The role of our staff at Church of the Servant is diverse and includes facilitating ministry from the ground up, providing direction and vision, addressing barriers to growth and development, and simultaneously, taking the part of a servant-leader and administrator. The goal is to coordinate and equip those within the congregation who are most passionate about and involved in a particular area of ministry. We encourage you to contact our staff members to see how your passions can be be used, so that together we can build up this body of Christ and expand God’s kingdom!

Senior Pastor

Photo of Jack

Rev. Jack Roeda has been the senior pastor of Church of the Servant for more than 25 years and is the author of various articles on preaching and applying the biblical text. He has also written educational and devotional materials for the Christian Reformed Church and other publications. Jack is married to Carol, an artist, and they have three children and five grandchildren. Jack and Carol enjoy long walks in the woods with their dog.

Phone: 956-7611 x21
Email: Rev. Jack Roeda

Minister of Administration

Lori Wiersma became the Minister of Administration in November 2010. This new position oversees the entire administration of the church and assists in implementing the church’s vision. Lori has more than 25 years of experience leading nonprofit, faith-based organizations. Many in Grand Rapids know her through her Executive Director role at Volunteers in Service (VIS) for 22 years. She was also the founding board president of Ramoth House, now part of Safe Haven Ministries, and is coauthor of The Deacon’s Handbook (Faith Alive, 2009). Lori and her husband, Jon, have three children. She enjoys visiting her two children who live out-of state every chance she gets.

Phone: 956-7611 x25
Email: Lori Wiersma

Minister of Congregational Life

Photo of Janice

Janice McWhertor has been the Minister of Congregational Life at Church of the Servant since 1991. Her task and her passion is to encourage herself and the congregation to grow in faithfulness to Christ and to continually build a vibrant sense of community at COS. She also leads anti-racism/reconciliation workshops in the community and provides leadership in dismantling racism within COS. Janice is wife to Tom, parent to four (now adult) children, and grandmother to two loving grand-daughters.

Phone: 956-7611 x22
Email: Janice McWhertor

Minister of Faith Formation

Annette Ediger (beginning May 1, 2012)
Phone: 956-7611 x23
Email: Annette Ediger

Minister to Youth

Photo of Judy

Judy Ko, Minister to Youth at Church of the Servant, joined the staff in June 2007. Judy received her M.A. in Educational Ministry from Calvin Theological Seminary and is excited to work with the youth of COS and their families. Judy enjoys working with youth, talking and drinking coffee with them, and showing them what it’s like to live out the Christian faith while being surrounded by contemporary youth culture. She values learning as well as teaching. Judy and her husband, Simon Ko, enjoy spending time with friends, old and new, over dishes of Korean food.

Phone: 956-7611 x24
Email: Judy Ko

Minister of Worship

Photo of Greg

Greg Scheer is Minister of Worship at Church of the Servant and Music Associate at the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship. His writings include The Art of Worship (Baker Books, 2006) and contributions to Reformed Worship, The Hymn, Call to Worship, Worship Leader, and New Songs of Celebration Render (forthcoming, GIA). His music is available from Augsburg Fortress, Abingdon, GIA, WorshipToday, Faith Alive, and at www.gregscheer.com. Greg and his wife, Amy, have two boys.

Phone: 956-7611 x26
Email: Greg Scheer

Resident Pastor

(financially supported with the help of a Transition-into-Ministry grant from the Lilly Endowment)

Rev. Ruth Lemmen began as a Resident Pastor in August 2011, with an emphasis on outreach and enfolding ministries. She holds a Bachelor in English degree from Calvin College and a Master of Divinity from Calvin Theological Seminary. In between college and seminary, she spent three years teaching English in China. She is excited to hear the stories of members of the congregation and community and to encourage them in building relationships with each other. Ruth enjoys reading a variety of books, trying new recipes and foods, and having friends over to her home.

Phone: 956-7611 x34
Email: Rev. Ruth Lemmen

Resident Pastor

(financially supported with the help of a Transition-into-Ministry grant from the Lilly Endowment)

Rev. Sam Lee joined the staff of Church of the Servant in August of 2011. Sam was born in Seoul, Korea, and grew up in Los Angeles. He graduated from the University of Southern California with a B.S. degree in business administration and marketing. He married Jihye in Y2K and now has 2YK, or 2 Young Kids. In 2008 Sam moved to Grand Rapids to pursue a Master of Divinity degree at Calvin Theological Seminary, submitting to a lifelong calling to serve Christ’s church. Sam loves to fish and to grill, and he really enjoys watching people enjoy the food he has prepared. As a Resident Pastor, Sam now calls COS his home, joyfully worshipping and reaching out to the neighbors with his fellow servants of the Servant.