Our Team

Get to know your church leaders and staff.

Pastor Brian has been an ordained minister for 26 years and has pastored FCCR since the Fall of 2022. He is married to his beloved wife, Jocelyn, and they have two adult sons. As a native Canadian, he is passionate about ice hockey and remains a Toronto Maple Leafs fan! As a Christian, he is passionate about living out of our true identity in Christ, and invites others to discover and anchor their identity on the truth of being beloved children of God. Pastor Brian devotes three quarters of his time to pastoring FCCR and the remaining time he works as a pastoral counselor at West Michigan Wellness Group.

Greg has been singing his whole life. No kidding. He started singing solos in church at age 3 in Indianapolis with his mother accompanying him on the piano. He won several talent shows all over Michigan and even won the Ted Mack Amateur Hour in New York City at age 6. He was the Minister of Music at First Congregational Church in Greenville for 35 years prior to coming to Rockford. He has been married to Val (his FCCR Music Team partner) for 38 years and yes, you guessed it, she sang in his choir at FCCOG and he sang in her choir at MCC prior to their marriage. They have 5 adult children and 5 grandchildren. He is passionate about all genres of music and expects the highest level of performance from his choirs, vocal and bells, with a little bit of humor and a whole lot of fun enjoyed by all! FCCR is very blessed to have so many talented musicians.

Valerie Vandermark has been making music in churches since she began singing in a children’s church choir under her mother’s direction. Val holds music degrees from the University of Michigan and Central Michigan University. She taught elementary music in her early career, and retired as music faculty and Performing Arts Coordinator from Montcalm Community College.

Val feels blessed to share the privilege of being the Music Team at FCCR with her husband, Greg. They have 5 children and 5 grandchildren, and enjoy traveling, theater, and gardening.

Maggie is a Michigan native who has always lived in the greater Grand Rapids area. She shares life with her husband and kids (five who live at home and six who were hosted international students). Her family loves to travel and explore new places together, especially within the National Park system. Maggie is passionate about connecting people, especially by sharing stories, laughter, food, and finding commonality in every human interaction. She believes empathy, hugs, and blankets will heal the world. She leads the FCCR Connect youth groups with the aim of showing God’s love to everyone (especially tweens and teens) and helping them feel seen, connected, supported, and valued.

Board of Christian Education

The CE Board oversees all religious education programs coordinated by our Christian Education coordinator.

Board of Congregational Life

The “Fun Board,” as it is commonly referred, oversees, develops, and promotes good fellowship for all ages by planning various activities throughout the year.

Diaconate

This board oversees the spiritual care and nurture of the congregation and assists the pastor in all aspects of worship.

Board of Missions

Our Missions Board develops our church’s outreach program at home and abroad.

Executive Board

The Executive Board consists of the church moderator, vice-moderator, treasurer, clerk, and chairpersons of each board.

Board of Trustees

The Trustees receive and disperse funds required for the corporate life of the church and oversee the care and upkeep of the church building.