Sam Rijfkogel 

Senior Pastor, Executive Leadership Team

Pastor Sam Rijfkogel has served Grand Rapids First since 2006. His creative communication style brings a fresh perspective to sound biblical doctrine. His own family’s conversion is a fruitful testimony of world missions outreach and is the foundation of his deep passion for missions. He and his wife, Brenda, lead by example as they serve and love our community. Their greatest joy is spending time with their two children. Pastor Sam enjoys dirt bike riding.

Eddy Brewer

Executive Pastor, Executive Leadership Team

Pastor Eddy serves as the Executive Pastor and joined the team at Grand Rapids First in January 2012. He and his wife, Claudia, have been blessed with four children and two grandchildren. Originally from Dallas, Texas, Pastor Eddy received a Bachelor of Arts in theology from Dallas Baptist University and a Master of Science in counseling from Texas A & M University – Commerce. His favorite hobbies are motorcycling and snow skiing.

Tom Gallant

CFO and Director of Operations, Executive Leadership Team

Tom Gallant, CFO, Director of Operations, has served Grand Rapids First since 1998.  Tom and his wife, Liz, have three grown children and one grandchild.  Tom is a CPA and enjoys teaching at our bible college.  He loves spending time with his family, leading small groups, reading, fishing and basketball.

Jonathan Espinoza

Associate Pastor, Hispanic Ministries

Pastor Jonathan is the Associate Pastor of the Hispanic Ministry.  He has been on staff since 2007 and is very involved in preaching, teaching and connecting with the Hispanic community.  He has two daughters.  A favorite activity is family movie night and they enjoy the summer season very much!

Kerry Watts

Associate Pastor, Discipleship

Pastor Kerry is the Associate Pastor of Discipleship. He came to Grand Rapids First as a teenager and joined the pastoral staff in 2001. He and his wife, Bernadette, have four children. In addition to serving as a pastor, he has the joy of teaching systematic theology at our bible college. He enjoys reading, the beach, walks with his wife, Greek food, 80s music, watching his kids play sports and Michigan football (who doesn’t?).

Tommy McCaul

Associate Pastor, Student and Young Adult Ministries

Pastor Tommy is the Associate Pastor of Vertical Student Ministries and Slate Young Adults. Originally from Arkansas, he came on staff in April of 2011. He is passionate about seeing students connect to the plans God has for their lives and to become lifelong Christ followers. He is married to Cheryl and they have two children. He enjoys family time, date nights with his wife, playing sports, fishing and being at the gym.

Eric Klein-Wassink

Associate Pastor, Junior High Ministries

Pastor Eric is the Junior High Pastor of JVertical Student Ministries. Born and raised here in West Michigan, he has been with  Grand Rapids First since 2010. He is passionate about seeing students discover and grow into who God has called them to be and to live a life all out for Christ.  He and his wife Heather have two daughters. He loves spending time with his wife and kids, being active outside,  playing sports and watching movies.

Tim Carter

Associate Pastor, Creative Arts

Pastor Tim joined the Grand Rapids First staff as the Associate Pastor of Creative Arts in July, 2011.  He thrives on leading and developing the gifts and talents within the church body, including everything from musicians and singers, to creative writing, sound, lighting and drama.  He and his wife, Lissette, are blessed with two children.  His life can be summed up in four points: God first, marriage second, family third, motorcycle riding…anytime you can.

Troy Picou

Associate Pastor, Kids First

Pastor Troy is the Associate Pastor of Kids First Children’s Ministries. He and his wife, Josie, and their two kids have been a part of Grand Rapids First since 2008. Born and raised in south Louisiana, moving north has been an incredible experience for their family. His favorite hobbies include sculpting, painting, photography and design.

Tim Ryder

Associate Pastor, First Steps

Pastor Tim is the Associate Pastor of First Steps Ministry. He and Pastor Candy Ryder were married in 1977, and they have three adult children and five grandchildren. They moved to the Grand Rapids area in 1988 and he joined the Grand Rapids First pastoral staff in 1995. Matthew 19:14-15 is a ministry motivator for him. He enjoys his family immensely, likes watching sci-fi movies and as strange as it may sound, he enjoys working in the yard.

Candy Ryder

Assistant Pastor, First Steps

Pastor Candy is the Assistant First Steps Ministry Pastor and is the wife of Pastor Tim Ryder. She has been at Grand Rapids First since 1988 and joined the pastoral staff in 2008.  She loves spending time with her children and grandchildren. She also likes to read, spend time with friends and go for long walks.

Jack Pepple

Associate Pastor, Hospital Visitation

Pastor Jack does hospital visitation and is involved with the Young at Heart senior adult ministry with his wife, Judy. Together they have 5 children, 12 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren. Pastor Jack has been on staff at Grand Rapids First since 1998. His call to ministry is found in 2 Timothy 2:1-3. He enjoys golfing and hunting.

Raycheen Sims

Associate Pastor, Congregational Care

Pastor Raycheen currently serves as the Associate Pastor of Congregational Care and oversees MORE, the singles ministry at Grand Rapids First.  Her first ministry is her family and includes her husband and two children. Her heart’s passion is to encourage people to reach their full personal and spiritual potential. She enjoys reading, journaling, watching black-and-white movies and spending time with family and friends. One of her all-time favorite songs is “Elvira” by the Oakridge Boys. Pastor Raycheen’s personal life mission is to help others see themselves the way God sees them.

Larry French

Associate Pastor, Care Ministries

Pastor Larry serves as the Associate Pastor of Care Ministries, which includes on-call pastoral duties, First Touch Ministries, Shut-In Ministry, Prison/Jail Ministry, Altar Ministry, Military Ministry and emergency hospital visitations.  He and his wife, Eva, began attending Grand Rapids First in 1989. They have been married over 40 years and have three children, and eleven grandchildren.  Pastor Larry came on staff in 2007 after serving as a volunteer hospital visitation pastor for several years.  His greatest joy is ministering to people in their various times of need.  Pastor Larry and Eva enjoy gardening and he enjoys bass fishing.