Our Ministry Staff ...

Kip is the Senior and Founding Pastor of High Pointe, and his primary responsibilities include casting vision for the church, guiding the church in our mission to make and mature disciples of Jesus Christ, to preach and teach the timeless truths of God's Word in relevant and creative ways, equipping others for ministry and service and to provide spiritual care for the High Pointe Church Family. Kip is has served in full-time ministry since 1985 and continues to be passionate about seeing people come to know Jesus Christ as the Savior and Lord of their lives, as well as seeing others develop and grow in their faith as fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ.

Kip lives in Byron Center with his wife, Margaret. They have three sons, Luke, Jacob and Joel, along with their beloved golden retriever "Angel." Both Kip and Margaret love to spend time walking, reading, and watching LOST on TV when they are not busy chasing after the boys.

Favorite Foods:  "Chicken Marsala" from Carrabba's; the "Outback Special" from Outback Steakhouse
Favorite Sports Teams:   The Detroit Tigers (of course!)
Favorite Music/Bands:   Steven Curtis Chapman and Audio Adrenaline
Favorite Hobbies:   Golf, coaching baseball, golf club making
Favorite Books:   Lord of the Rings, Mark of the Lion

Contact Kip at kip@high-pointe.org

Pastor Mark and his family relocated to Byron Center from southern Illinois near the St. Louis, Missouri area in the spring of 2007.  After ten years of teaching high school and coaching sports, Mark felt a calling from the Lord into full time youth ministry. Mark has been married to Tona for 15 years and they have two children – Ellerie and Isaac.

Favorite Foods:  Steak (A1 Sauce a must), sauerkraut and Polish sausage, Rueben sandwiches and homemade chocolate chip cookies

Favorite Sports Teams:  I love all sports; I root for the BIG TEN Conference no matter who they are playing against.  I’ve been a

St. Louis Rams/Cards/Blues fan, but will probably start rooting more for the Lions, Tigers and Red Wings.

Favorite Music/Bands:  I like Hip Hop music and Contemporary Christian, but I’ll listen to many other kinds of music – Third Day rocks!

Favorite Hobbies:  Lifting weights, sports, watching Ellerie and Isaac participate in activities, reading and getting to know people.

Favorite Books:  Bible, Out of the Question…Into the Mystery – author Leonard Sweet, The Jesus I Never Knew – author Phil Yancy.

Contact Mark at mark@high-pointe.org

Eva Vander Woude is our office secretary and administrator. She not only takes care of several office responsibilities, but she is also very active in various ministry areas, as well.  Whether she's working on the bulletin, paying bills, maintaining the church calendar, or ordering supplies, she's doing it with a true servant's heart.  She knows that her primary goal each week is to enable her pastor's to focus on the things they do best, bring the rest of us closer to Christ.

Eva lives in Byron Center with her husband, Jon. They have two children, Justin and Amanda, who attend Byron Center Public Schools. They love to spend time together as a family while camping and boating in the summer and skiing in the winter. 

Favorite Foods: Without hesitation:  POPCORN
Favorite Sports teams: Michigan and Green Bay Packers (I have to support my home state of Wisconsin!)
Favorite Music/Bands: I like a lot of music, including country but especially Randy Travis
Favorite Hobbies: Being with my family, walking, scrapbooking, stamping and making jewelry
Favorite Books: I'm not a huge reader, but I really enjoyed the Left Behind series

Contact Eva at office@high-pointe.org